cover image Dragon's Fat Cat: Dragon's Fourth Tale

Dragon's Fat Cat: Dragon's Fourth Tale

Dav Pilkey. Orchard Books (NY), $15.95 (48pp) ISBN 978-0-531-05982-1

The beguiling, bright blue star of three previous early readers here deals with the trials and tribulations of adoptive parenthood as only he can. ``One snowy day in January,'' Dragon rescues a gray tabby from the elements and names it Cat. So far, so good--but such problems as how to train his new friend and what to feed it prove vexing. Worst of all, ``Dragon did not know what to do about all the yellow puddles Cat made.'' With the help of the pet store's accommodating sales pig, Dragon, Cat and some unexpected additions settle in blissfully for a long winter's nap. As in the previous titles, humor and sentiment are adroitly whipped into a seemingly effortless souffle. Pilkey's narrative understatement and cheery, heavily defined artwork once again form a humorous, harmonious whole. Ages 6-8. (Mar.)