CAT'S CHRISTMAS

A feline dreads the holiday season.

Cat is a simple if crotchety creature—a lover of peace and a seeker of quiet. And nothing proves more disruptive to this cantankerous kitty than Christmas. He hates every bit of the needless frivolity: the extravagant decor, the treacly treats, and the loathsome callers, especially the dippy dachshund who arrives costumed for the occasion, eager to occupy Cat’s rightful place in his pale-skinned young human’s lap. One evening, in an act of Scroogely rebellion, Cat haughtily recuses himself from the holiday cheer and steals into the cold wet Christmas night, seeking a cathartic yowl and a moment of much-needed solitude. But his sour disposition sweetens when, perched atop a tree branch, he bears witness to an awe-inspiring cosmic display that inspires renewed appreciation for the loveliness of life on Earth, Yuletide trappings and all. Murray’s text amusingly elucidates the longstanding feud between feline and fir, though the narrative ascribes occasionally contradictory motivations to Cat’s behavior; some may wonder whether he acts out of spite, frustration that others don’t understand the true meaning of Christmas, or merely the desire to restore the cozy snugness of his pre-holiday home. But Murray’s vibrant illustrations charm, and pet lovers will especially enjoy a Christmas evening spent with Cat. Eagle-eyed adult readers will enjoy the illustrative homage to Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day.

A perfectly sweet Yuletide treat.