The Truth about Cats

Snow is definitely a dog person. In the affectionate How Dogs Really Work!, he created David Macaulay-style cross-sections to reveal the complex system of inner springs and gears within man's best friend. In this less kindly kitty expose, he posits that cats came to Earth via the planet Nip, from whence dogs fled ages ago. Now, ""the secret and terrible mission of the cats is world domination and control of all fish supplies. Their first task is to drive out all dogs."" To implement this fiendish scheme, the smiling but dastardly cats weasel their way into the hearts of ""feebleminded"" humans, then proceed to make dogs' lives miserable. Much like the mechanical drawings in Dogs, pen-and-ink diagrams show tiny cat crews operating each hollow feline form, like sailors in a submarine. The hand-lettered text and painstakingly labeled sketches suggest an owner's manual, detailing the cats' conveyer-belt tongues, camera and TV-monitor ""Surveillance System,"" and internal ""gyro"" that rights them in midair. Cat fanciers will wish for more of the inventive drawings and less of the forced plot. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)