Augusta & Trab

The author's first book for children chronicles the whimsical adventures of Augusta and her talking cat, Trab. When Augusta uses the unusual key she has found to unlock a narrow door set into a peach tree, she and her trusty feline companion enter a magical land. After a series of mildly surreal mishaps, Augusta meets Hildamore, an extraordinary, powerful woman who rules a kingdom of animals. Fantasy intersects with the real world when Augusta's encounter with wise Hildamore allows her to come to terms with her mother's recent death. De Vinck ( Only the Heart Knows How to Find Them ), a poet, often brings a slightly studied creativity to the text (``honey makes my mouth sweet and my thoughts slippery; then I usually sing''), which may not appeal to all readers. Still, there is much to enjoy in this intelligent, playful meditation on mourning and imagination. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)