Sonia and Barnie and the Noise in the Night

When a strange howling noise awakens Sonia, her curious, courageous nature compels her to investigate the potentially dangerous mystery. With the support of her faithful--somewhat cowardly--cat Barnie, Sonia decides that this nocturnal creature must be a wolf, and she eagerly awaits the next nightfall to confront the culprit head-on. The surprise that Sonia and Barnie discover teaches them a valuable lesson about fear, friendship and the unexpected. In both her text and illustrations, Pank's debut book brims with humor. Her parenthetical asides provide amusing commentary--Sonia speaks to Barnie ``very slowly (like her teachers did when someone had been sick or a pair of scissors was missing).'' The sketchy, suitably childlike artwork depicts Sonia and Barnie in a variety of comical positions: playing hide-and-seek, peering out of windows, cowering under the covers. This lighthearted adventure offers fun and suspense aplenty. Ages 4-7. (Apr.)