Having had a busy day scaring mice and swatting at yarn balls, Kittycat settles down to purr a drowsy purr and go to sleep, in a lyrical poem that will help little kitties and children drift into peaceful slumber. reS-Gr 3-This gentle rhyming poem recalls a kitten's day: "Sniffing pots of catmint/Prancing on the chairs/Knocking over paint cans/Underneath the stairs." The realistic watercolors depict an inquisitive, tiger-striped cat and his companion, a little brown mouse that consistently appears on the right-hand side of the pages. Introduced on the first page when the text mentions the feline "Scaring mice away," the lively rodent often mimics the actions of the cat. Indeed, the two enjoy a peaceful coexistence, and in the last frame are curled up together, fast asleep. Many of the beautiful, detailed illustrations have a static quality, though the kitten looks so soft that children will want to pet it. Best for one-on-one sharing, this soothing lullaby will be enjoyed by young children, cat lovers, and fans of Mortimer's artwork, but it is not an essential purchase. Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Ages 2-5. "Hush-a-bye, Kittycat / Such a busy day / Dancing after rainbows / Scaring mice away." There are no hard edges in this soothing lullaby that follows a rowdy kitten through its day, as it pounces, sniffs, scratches, knocks things over, and finally snuggles down in its basket as the "bright moon dapples down" its fur. The rhyming text has an appropriately singsong rhythm that's perfect for lulling young ones to sleep, and it ends reassuringly with the narrator's promise: "Should you have a bad dream / I will be nearby / close enough to hold you / If I hear you cry." The cozy, detailed paintings are so realistic that children will reach out to stroke the kitten's irresistibly soft fur. Gillian Engberg Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Eileen Spinelli is the author of many books for children, including When Mama Comes Home Tonight, illustrated by Jane Dyer; Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, illustrated by Paul Yalowtiz; and Night Shift Daddy, illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Eileen lives in Willistown, Pennsylvania. Used Book in Good Condition