Captain Whiz-Bang

Captain Whiz-Bang is not only the story of Annie's champion cat but also a wise and loving introduction to the inevitable changes that come with the passage of time. As ""winter turns to spring,'' we see Annie and Whiz-Bang growing up togetherplaying, dreaming, winning the Elm Street Cat Olympicsuntil Annie gets married and leaves the cat to doze in the sun and dream ``of the old days.'' Annie returns one Christmas with her own child, who finds it hard to believe that sleepy Whiz-Bang is the same rambunctious cat she's heard about from her mother. ``You know,'' explains Annie, ``there are times in life for running and jumping and other times for sitting and purring. First Whiz-Bang did the one, and now he's doing the other.'' The book is wrapped like a gift in old 1920s-style comics with delicate interior illustrations that are both imaginative and exquisitely designed. Ages 3-7. (September)