Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens

Gr 1–3—Don't be fooled by the smiling kittens in construction hats adorning the cover—this lighthearted graphic novel doles out an important message about the dangers of judging by appearances. Marmalade the cat has a degree in architecture and a well-thought-out design for the mayor's mansion. But the city planner won't hire her—after all, such a coveted job can't go to "a cute little kitten." Joined by two other felines, Sampson, an aspiring engineer, and Bubbles, who longs to be a plumber, Marmalade starts her own construction crew, and the foreman in charge of the mayor's mansion agrees to let them work on the project. The cats point out that the architectural plans are dangerously flawed, but they're merely greeted with a chorus of "So adorable!" So Marmalade and her pals decide to build their own mansion and prove their mettle. Green's artwork is attractive, though a little static. Cleanly illustrated panels are loaded with humor that, though a little sophisticated in places, is still satisfying—few readers, young or old, will be able to keep a straight face upon meeting Professor von Wigglebottom. And while Green is never preachy, the warning against making snap assumptions comes through loud and clear.