Puss Jekyll Cat Hyde

Gr 2–4—In carefully crafted verse, Dunbar reveals the dual nature of a household pet. There's Puss Jekyll, who by day "soothes,/Bewitches,/Beguiles, With her smooth,/Velvety wiles." Yet by night, she becomes Cat Hyde, a "Night stalker,/Roof walker,/Fearless,/Tearless/Street fighter." The poetic stanzas devoted to Jekyll conjure images of a soft, affectionate, beloved member of the family ("This is Puss Jekyll/Nuzzles up/Nose to nose./How we love/To be close/Me and my pet!"). They contrast dramatically with the descriptions of the feline's alter ego. Although spine-tingling, the passages that follow Hyde in her nighttime excursions may be a bit gruesome for some youngsters ("Through the mud/On the scent/On the track/Of blood/Fear and bone/Hunting the lone/Vole or shrew"). Still, Dunbar's vivid language perfectly captures the unique essence of the serene yet skilled predator. Barton's gracefully executed pencil and watercolor illustrations will touch the hearts of cat lovers of all ages. The black-and-white "dear little Kittikins" lazes contentedly in the sun on one spread and then lurks in the shadows, green eyes glinting with cunning determination on the next. This quixotic picture book may serve as an appealing introduction to poetry.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA