THE CHOCOLATE CAT

In a dull village famous for nothing, Cat lives with a grumpy chocolate maker. No one buys his candy, and no one likes him or his cat. “One day, for no reason,” the chocolate maker creates a chocolate mouse with a pink sugar tail. Cat tries one and decides it must be shared. Mr. Green, the grocer, loves the mouse so much that he runs to the chocolate shop. He and the chocolate maker create fruit and chocolate delights, but the chocolate maker still doesn’t smile. Cat takes a mouse to many different retailers in town, and the types of cakes and candies increase. The chocolate maker doesn’t smile until he tries a mouse for himself. Mortimer and Stainton’s latest collaboration brings together two storytime staples. But as usual, Mortimer’s pussycat pictures are far more enticing than the precious and convoluted text. Cat lovers will see their own feline friends in every panel and spot, and readers will love drooling over the pictures to study the lovely creations and find the surprises. A short history of chocolate follows the story. (Picture book. 4-7)