Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/01/2017 A young girl is surprised and delighted when a cat appears at her doorstep, possessions in tow, and decides to stay. Naming the cat, though, proves a quandary. “Kitty” brings seemingly every kitty around at mealtime; dressing up the cat and trying “Princess High-and-Mighty” doesn’t work, so perhaps “Ethel” or “Betty”—or, after a vet visit reveals the cat’s a boy, “Arnie” or “Rocky,” but nothing seems to stick. “Mr. Maestro” seems to work—the cat starts playing violin—but when she enthusiastically joins in, the resulting din sends the kitty fleeing. She can’t find him anywhere, including the zoo, but she brightens when a friendly gorilla named Steve follows her home, at least for a while. Before long, though, Steve goes back to the zoo, and (somewhat suspiciously) her cat returns, now with an ID collar definitely naming him “Tricky.” Colorful, energetic illustrations pack the pages with patterned, cartoonish elements and droll, scrutiny-inviting details, including Tricky’s covert surveillance endeavors, which extend the story and contrast humorously with the girl’s brief, matter-of-fact descriptions of events. An amusing, entertaining read, particularly for cat-lovers. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.