cover image No, No, Charlie Rascal

No, No, Charlie Rascal

Lorna Kent. Viking Children's Books, $9.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-670-82512-7

Charlie Rascal is a large yellow tiger cat with a talent for intruding wherever he does not belong. The boy and girl who own him are are always hot on the trail of this lovably zany character and provide the first-person plural narration. ``One day Charlie copied us and he went fishing too. We waved our arms and made a fussthat's not what cats should do. Turn the page and you'll find out why we had to wave and shout . . . No, No, Charlie Rascal!'' Charlie Rascal, his pink tongue sticking out, swipes furtively in the fishbowl, startling both occupants. Whether he is sleeping among the freshly washed clothes still warm from the dryer, landing in the bathtub with the children, or helping himself to a luscious pie, Charlie always manages to land in the lap of trouble. Boldly colored pictures show many sides of this cat; the visuals are fully augmented with significant details such as a childish drawing of Charlie made by the boy or girl. Some of the pages have die-cut circular windows that provide readers with a welcome teaser of the action ahead. Ages 2-6. (Feb.)