CHESTER’S MASTERPIECE

Chester, Canadian cat author extraordinaire, is back for a third self-aggrandizing volume without any help from Mélanie Watt. He has hidden her art supplies AND her computer mouse (which apparently tastes like chicken). He is in full control of this outing…unfortunately, she’s found a pencil and some Post-it notes. Even though he tries to tell his story, she keeps interrupting to ask for her stuff back, while Mouse (who looks suspiciously like the human author) just keeps kibitzing. Still, Chester manages to tell the tale of Supercat saving the world from Dr. Meanmouse and one about Captain Cat surviving a whale attack, unlike poor Skipper Mouse. But then the unthinkable occurs: Chester’s marker runs out of ink. Watt’s chunky puss with delusions of grandeur (and writing skill) helms a sorta–meta-adventure sure to delight his fans. Chester appears in full watercolor while his own “illustrations” are in his trademark red marker. There are plenty of giggles along the way, and the author’s revenge (not to mention Chester’s hiding place for her supplies) will elicit gales of laughter. A must purchase, especially where the first two are loved. (Picture book. 4-8)