The Tip-Tap Dancing Cat

PreS-K—When Oscar's owners leave for work, the cat is already planning his day. No sooner does the door shut behind them than the feline starts to dance. He loves the samba, salsa, and the cha-cha, to name just a few. He is one jumping, jiving, hip cat. It is no surprise, though, that by the time his owners return home, he is having a well-earned nap on the rug where they left him that morning. This is a niche book, perhaps meant for children who are interested in dance. Many of the dances are somewhat arcane and will be unfamiliar to a young audience. A bit of back matter provides a sentence of description, but it does not offer sufficient information for children to grasp how each dance is distinct. The illustrations also fail to distinguish one dance from another. The lack of a clear story and the limited audience appeal makes this title one for specialized libraries.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA