A Year with Molly and Emmett

Molly and her orange cat, Emmett, have cavorted across the pages of Ladybug magazine since 1991. Here Hafner (Lunch Bunnies; Mommies Don't Get Sick!) collects 15 sprightly new vignettes that follow the duo's adventures through a calendar year. In a playful, comic-strip-like style, Hafner shows the tender and funny ups and downs of a pet and owner devoted to each other. Emmett creates mayhem in the kitchen as he attempts to cook Molly a spring birthday breakfast--at five in the morning; the curious tabby tries to catch a fish during a summer camping trip; and he even donates his beloved fish pillow to a Christmas toy drive. No matter the scrapes Emmett wanders into, unflappable Molly is always ready to rescue and cuddle him. Toddlers will find comfort in Molly's consistently reassuring tone and older kids will chuckle at Emmett's human-like dialogue and penchant for snacks. Each page is creatively crammed with the just the right number of dynamic spot illustrations and talk balloons, and each new outing is introduced with its own title so that kids can easily locate their favorites. This kicky art-and-text combination will grab beginning readers as well. Ages 5-7. (June)