Frankie Works the Night Shift

Featuring digital photography, newcomer Taylor's mixed-media art adds comedic zing to Peters's quirky counting tale. Frankie is an apron-wearing marmalade cat who has the run of a hardware store at night—he empties one wastebasket, spilling its contents onto the floor, and “cleans” two counters. Pursuing a mouse, Frankie knocks over eight nail bins and scurries over the side-by-side beds of his nine “bosses” sleeping upstairs, some of whom wake up with startled expressions, as he chases the rodent out the cat door. Peters's spare text, full of exclamatory statements in the second half (“Good job, Frankie!”), moves the story forward with energy and speed, but Taylor's artwork is the showstopper, creating a surreal environment for Frankie's nocturnal adventures. Ages 2–5. (Mar.)