Published by Simon and Schuster 

Summary: One day Patches feels an urge to find a special place just for her. An indoor cat, she escapes the house and goes off to explore the outside world.  She ends up at a yard dominated by Gus, the meanest dog in the neighborhood.  Undeterred, she finds her way inside his doghouse, where a surprising series of events unfolds.  Finding herself in a difficult situation far from home, Patches must call on the animals around her for help, including, much to everyone’s astonishment, Gus.  Everyone rallies round, and, after a few false starts, a happy ending is in store for all.  224 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  This sweet story is told in verse, with many words moving up, down, and in various directions to illustrate the idea they are trying to convey.  The poetic , form makes it a quick read, but one that is filled with endearing animal characters and a satisfying plot.

Cons:  It took a few tries for me to get beyond the first couple of pages.  A little perseverance might be needed for readers to get engaged in the story.