Cat on the Bus

In this mostly wordless story, a stray calico cat wanders through a wintry city in search of food, shelter, and sympathy. Beseeching looks don't work with one bus driver ("Scram/ Scoot/ Shoo!"), so when another bus pulls up, the cat dashes in. Fortunately, the cat's seatmate, a kind elderly man, takes the animal home to his granddaughter. Kim makes a solid debut with this story of an endearingly dogged feline who bears a striking resemblance to the iconic maneki neko (happy cat). With no narration (except for a summary "Purrrrrrr-fect" on the final page), the pictures do the heavy lifting, and Kim%E2%80%94who works in generously scaled, clearly delineated shapes%E2%80%94creates a sense of momentum through imaginative framings: one striking image is composed from a viewpoint immediately behind the cat, so that the lines of its head and curvy tail become a kind of frame. The cat's blossoming relationship with the elderly man is beautifully conveyed through small, progressive acts of kindness as he offers a friendly greeting ("Hello, cat!), lets the cat fall asleep undisturbed, and lends his scarf as a blanket and his body as a pillow. Ages 3%E2%80%936. (July)