Gr 1-3 Readers may predict trouble when Mrs. Rogers asks Amelia Bedelia for an umbrella because, "They say it is going to rain cats and dogs." Then the maid hears a "MEOW" while watching a cat-shaped cloud, and a tiger-striped kitten jumps out of the garden. As always, Amelia Bedelia is bewildered by idioms, and she frustrates people with her own word choices. Fluent readers will chuckle at these misunderstandings, and will be delighted with the suspense and plotting. They may also pick up a bit of information about pet care. The generous trim size is wider than that in most early readers, allowing many sentences to be printed without line breaks. Sweat's cheerful and expressive watercolor and black-pen illustrations extend the story. Another winning addition. Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

A literal interpretation of "raining cats and dogs" is only the first of Amelia Bedelia's misunderstandings in this latest tale about the housekeeper who believes precisely what she hears. The silly story is written with early readers and animal lovers in mind. Cheerful half-page and spot illustrations in watercolor and ink help make Amelia's errors clear.