Synopsis: Posy is a cheeky, inquisitive kitten, and all the more lovable for it. This picture book follows Posy as she bounces and pounces through her adventure-filled day.

 Review: In fewer than fifty words, Linda Newbery so fully expresses the lovable character of her kitten, that I defy even the staunchest cat-hater to be uncharmed. Each word is carefully selected to build a witty portrait of the essence of all that is Posy, through the detail of her daily activities. The text is arranged in short rhyming couplets, with a rhythm that makes it a joy to read aloud.‘Sandwich checker, / Board game wrecker! / Leaf collector, / Sock inspector.’ The sparsity of words allows the reader time to ponder and delight over every quirky phrase.

Catherine Rayner’s images mirror the distilled quality of the text, but here it is the physicality of the playful torbie kitten that is so perfectly expressed. Posy is depicted with only the props essential for establishing the story – socks, crayons, wool - and adding colour to the subtle, spacious compositions. As in her award-winning book, Augustus and his Smile, Rayner’s practice of drawing by observing live animals, enables her to produce a cat which is not only endearing, but also seems to move and behave in a lifelike way. Instead of a clear outline to the kitten, fine, squiggly, black lines loosely define only the whiskers, ears and neat, cream paws. Thicker stripes and blobs of black, gold, silver and bronze are laid down alongside pale, orangey-cream and grey smudges to form the face and soft, fluffy body. The reader’s eye is drawn irresistibly to this apparently anarchic pattern of marks, only to marvel at the way they expertly, almost miraculously, describe the physical bulk of a lively kitten.

Everything about this book says ‘quality’. Both author and artist are award-winners and great attention has evidently been paid to every detail of the book’s design. The matte cream pages and cover, with elegant sepia text, probably make it just as attractive to adults as to youngsters. However, this picture book speaks to small children with a fundamental reassurance: Like a toddler exploring her own independence, Posy is playful, inquisitive, sometimes bold, sometimes timid, occasionally naughty, but always loved.

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2008-05-25