Minifred Goes to School

In this odd tale, a couple raises their pet kitten, Minifred, like a spoiled child, then unleashes her on an unsuspecting school. “I don't obey anything,” announces Minifred, “especially not rules!” Pretty soon, her classmates are wondering why they can't misbehave, too—but of course, they're not kittens. Caldecott Medalist Gerstein's sense of color and framing is faultless as he tries to establish Minifred as the antiheroine of a kooky, alternative universe reminiscent of Louis Sachar's Wayside School books. But the petulant, pinafore-wearing kitten remains more irritating than rabble-rousing. Ages 3–8. (July)