Description
A young girl pursues her grandmother's cat. She chases and grabs for him, but the cat will have none of it. He's so furry and pattable, why won't he hold still long enough to be friends?

In simple rhyming verse that young children can say aloud, the author takes us on a voyage of discovery in Grandma's back yard, as her persistent granddaughter learns how to win over that fluffy fur ball. The spare text and humorous illustrations will strike a chord with anyone who has tried to woo a cat - even those wise enough to know NOT to pull its tail!

I pounce, but miss.

He Gives a hiss.

 Reviews
Ketteman delivers a full roller coaster of emotion with an economy of words. Her rhythmic rhyming couplets speak to every child who has tried desperately to express fondness for a pet. Winborn's sprightly ink-and-watercolor illustrations depict an equally compelling story line, expanding on the spare text by showing the often hilarious actions of both cat and kid.
PW, 4/96

"The story will appeal to many children whose ideas for befriending animals work better in their dreams than in reality. The story reads aloud well, making this a good choice for story time."
Booklist, 4/96