Containing short words in big type and with one line of text per spread, this will be a big hit with burgeoning readers. The setting is an ordinary house where two cheerful, mischievous red-headed siblings live with a chubby feline. They are decidedly oblivious to the hapless kitty's responses to their idea of play. First the girl enters and plucks the napping cat off the back of the sofa: "Big Cat can hug. / Big Cat can fly." The cartoon illustrations nearly burst off the pages and clearly define the action, while an omniscient voice narrates, using plenty of repetition. Big Cat's expressive, googly eyes communicate his feelings, such as when, finally left alone by the girl, the boy enters the room: "Big Cat can see." Uh-oh. Big Cat must go through a new set of paces with him. While adults may want to take the opportunity to talk with children about pet care, this pair clearly loves their kitty. In a quiet moment, the three are seen cuddling, and Big Cat looks sleepily contented.

Two children demonstrate the talents of their portly cat. Cartoon-style illustrations illuminate the truth behind the text's straightforward assertions ("Big Cat can hide. Big Cat can dance") with Big Cat's expressively disgruntled face and body language. The simple sentence structure and repetitive vocabulary, paired with illustrations that both support and humorously undermine the text, make this an excellent selection for beginning readers.

PreS-Gr 1 Big Cat "can do" many things, like dance, fly, and run away from the children who seem bent on playing with him like he's a favorite toy. The vocabulary is simpleeach spread includes the statement "a Big Cat can" plus a different sight word, creating a solid basic reader. The cartoon drawings offer kids a different impressionand therein lies the humor. They see a very fat cat who is dressed up and overly handled but who seems resigned to his miserable fate. The digital artwork is colorful and fun. VERDICT A lively addition to easy reader collections. Heather Massa, East Rockaway Public Library, NY