My cat is a secret agent

Mahoney (We Don't Eat Our Neighbors) incorporates Rotten Ralph-like visual loopiness from the very first spread of this offbeat picture book. Young Samantha, the story's narrator, seems nonplussed when the stray black cat the family adopts proves no less than a secret agent. Walter, as he's dubbed, reveals to Samantha his certificate from the Secret Agent Academy for Gifted Felines, and his code name: Agent Kitty Pants. Walter demonstrates his espionage skills by rescuing the family from various threats, including mice invading Dad's train set. (The kitty expels the rodents by encasing them in soap bubbles and floating them out the window.) Despite Samantha's unshakable belief in the cat's prowess, Mom and Dad remain skeptical, suggesting that if Walter is so great, he might order a pizza with extra pepperoni. The parental doubts persist until Walter heroically prevents Samantha from a taking nasty tree fall. Mahoney balances absurdity with heart: from deadpan narration to thin-lined, retro-inflected illustrations, every element serves the delightfully skewed logic of the family's world. Human characters are portrayed with pink skin. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 2--Samantha adores her cat Walter, but he isn't just any cat--his code name is Kitty Pants, a graduate of the Secret Agent Academy for Gifted Felines. Walter works hard as a Secret Agent, ingeniously chasing away intruders (mice) and keeping the family safe, all while causing mayhem and annoying Samantha's parents. It's not until Mom witnesses Walter saving Samantha that her parents realize how clever Walter is. Children will love the humor. Illustrations are done in ink with watercolor and are heavily detailed; readers will especially love poring over the end papers. VERDICT This silly and funny pet story is sure to find an audience.--Melisa Bailey

This secret agent is ready to prevent a cat-astrophe. Blond-haired, pale-skinned young Samantha knows that Walter, the family's cat, is no ordinary feline; his code name is "Agent Kitty Pants," and he regularly embarks on very important, top-secret missions. Samantha's parents are exasperated when Walter takes Dad's newspaper into the litter box, shreds the plumber's pants, and bullies the neighbor's cat, and they're skeptical when Samantha tries to defend the mischievous kitty (the neighborhood cat had weapons of mass destruction…really!). Readers may be a bit unconvinced themselves, though scenes of Walter holding out his diploma from the Secret Agent Academy for Gifted Felines or sneaking about the house do provide some evidence--and make for some delightful imagery. Youngsters will be on Samantha's side after they witness Walter use a fancy wristwatch--and his "dazzling secret agent moves"--to stop some mice from taking over the basement, and Mom and Dad are fully persuaded when Walter prevents Samantha from falling from a tree. Reminiscent of James Marshall's work, Mahoney's inviting, informal art is occasionally inconsistent in terms of perspective but always brimming with caricaturish charm. Walter's more miraculous adventures are given nearly as much space as his more outrageous ones. Is he truly a secret agent? Unclear, but Mahoney clearly understands that all felines contain multitudes. Chaotic and offbeat feline fun--cats and cat lovers are sure to approve.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.