My Cats Nick and Nora

Moser and his young granddaughter (co-creators of My Dog Rosie) depict an ordinary but hilarious day in the life of child-hassled cats. When Isabelle's cousin Emmie visits, ``the first thing we do is go find Nick and Nora. It isn't always easy. They have lots of places to hide.'' The girls coerce the glowering cats into playing school, dressing up, and attending a birthday party complete with big neighborhood dogs (``We invite all their friends...,'' Isabelle says with exquisite innocence). After a brief escape and capture, detente is achieved with a group nap. The contrast between Isabelle's blithe, sweetly oblivious narration and the cats' expressions of strained tolerance is a stitch. Moser's large, opaque watercolors enhance the clashing agendas by depicting the girls as cheerful lugs who tower physically-if not mentally-over their weary playmates. The rendering of shiny, strokable fur in watercolor is also impressive. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)