Of Mama Cat's three kittens, Fluffy and Skinny always do everything their mother does -- washing their paws, sharpening their claws, chasing leaves, etc. -- while the third kitten, Boris, naps. Denise Fleming uses rhythm, repetition, and predictability to great advantage here, making each turn of the page dramatic and satisfying for young listeners. As an illustrator, Fleming uses composition in much the same way, always placing the active cats prominently in the picture, while Boris sleeps curled up, away from the action, but his bright orange color always makes him clearly visible. The art is bold enough to be seen easily from a distance for children in a storyhour, while those seeing it close-up when being read to one-on-one will notice the details of a visual subplot involving a mouse who's building a nest for her own babies. There's an amusing childlike twist at the end when Mama Cat finally settles down for a nap herself, awakening Boris, who continues to march to the beat of his own drummer. Highly Commended, 1999 Charlotte Zolotow Award. (Ages 2-6)

Some kittens march to the beat of a different drummer.

Mama Cat has three kittens, Fluffy, Skinny, and Boris. Where Mama Cat leads, Fluffy and Skinny follow. But what about Boris-- will he ever stop napping and join the fun?

Young children will love Mama Cat and her three kittens. They'll also enjoy looking for three other creatures hidden in every scene. But they'll have to count carefully -- Mama Mouse has a surprise.

Using her own cats as models, Denise Fleming has captured the moods, expressions, and antics of a mother cat and her kittens. But there is a rebel in every crowd, and Boris is sure to charm readers who will recognize themselves in his contrary ways.