Leopardpox!

PreS-Gr 3—Sadie wakes up feeling funny. Her symptoms include a cough that turns into a roar, teeth that grow sharper, and a spotted, furry coat. Her peculiar case of "Leopardpox" sends the experts into a quandary. After examining the little girl, the pediatrician haughtily says, "I'm not a doctor for leopards," while the veterinarian says, "Are you sure you don't want to keep her the way she is?" At the zoo, everyone is excited about seeing a new leopard, but Sadie's fiercely protective mama knows what is best for her little cub. Hoffmann's mixed-media illustrations showcase Sadie the leopard wreaking havoc in doctors' waiting rooms, leaping onto furniture, knocking over plants, and leaving perplexed patients in her wake. The text is also full of dry quips, such as "I'm not sure they will let her into kindergarten like this." In this quirky tale, a mother's love proves to be the perfect cure.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada