I See Kitty

Sanrio’s minimalist cuteness might be an influence for this story of a kitten-obsessed girl from comics creator Surovec (Cat Versus Human). Chloe, a petite preschooler in a polka-dot dress, eyes a “Pet Adoptions” sign and beams with joy at the sight of an orange-and-white kitten. Her mother says, “Not today,” but her coy smile does not rule out the possibility of a future pet. “Now Chloe sees Kitty everywhere she goes,” writes Surovec as Chloe points out cat shapes in a cloud, the auburn bouffant of a woman waiting for the bus, a tower of pink cotton candy, and her bubble bath. Her bedroom decorations project the same theme, and “At night, Chloe climbs into her bed... and sees Kitty in her dreams.” In her first book for children, Surovec takes visual cues from manga for young readers, and her simple hide-and-seek spreads recall Steven Savage’s Where’s Walrus? Chloe gets her wish in a sweet conclusion that could have readers seeing Kitty themselves. Ages 3–6. Agent: Monika Verma, Levine Greenberg Literary Agency. (Sept.)