Wiesner truly “gets” cats: An end-flap photo shows that the artist’s “model” for the beleaguered Mr. Final panels show the cat gazing out the window, claws fruitlessly deployed ants draw new scenes on their wall. Wuffles is riveted to the radiator, perplexing his human. Against oak floorboards and wallpaper prettily conveyed in ink and watercolor, the now-crazed Mr. After sketching a game plan, with insects playing transport and diversionary roles, the crew escapes back to the ship. The insects have decorated the wall of their lair with drawings à la Lascaux, the menacing Mr. A ladybug and several ants assist them, and the repair’s successfully made by harvesting cross sections of detritus: pencil eraser, M&M, marble and metal screw. The ensuing comic interplay pits cat against aliens as the tiny ones flee beneath a radiator cover. The aliens assess a smoldering engine part and disembark for help. Their initial celebration at landing turns to mayhem as their craft is buffeted by Mr. Peppered with speech bubbles in English, alien- or insect-speak, Wiesner’s multipaneled tour de force treats the green ETs to maximum upheaval. A house cat pooh-poohs most proffered toys and gets his comeuppance tangling with a tiny alien spacecraft and its penny-sized adventurers.
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