A Little Night Music

Micucci's first picture book tells the story of a cat whose secret passion is the violin. Playing in the dead of night, when all but a trio of mice and a couple of cardinals are sound asleep, the cat's ``tail starts to twitter'' and ``paws start to tap.'' Readers follow him on his romp until the family dog wakes up to ask, ``Shall we dance?'' They do, starting in a staid circle, then running wild, their shadows spinning on the wall, with all signs of traditional cat/dog animosity thrown to the winds. Though rendering the cat's face oddly stiff and blank, Miccuci's watercolors of the cat's home are warmly lyrical, with sofas, chandeliers and cups and saucers tipping, twirling and twisting to the tune of an enchanted evening. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)