For anyone who's ever wondered what it is that their animal companions get up to, when the humans are away, Michael Foreman's Cat and Canary offers an amusing answer, following the eponymous Cat and Canary - unlikely best friends - on a fantastic adventure through the skies of New York City. Freeing his avian friend from her cage every day, as soon as the "Master" leaves, Cat makes his way, together with Canary, to the rooftop of their building, where they do everything together. Everything, that is, except fly. But then one day, Cat discovers a kite, tangled up in a TV antenna, and embarks on an aerial adventure of his own! Will he make it to Brooklyn? More importantly, will he ever manage to get back home...?

As a confirmed cat-lover, I found this sweet picture-book, first published in 1985, immensely engaging, enjoying both story and artwork. The reader is given a tour of the skyline of New York City - there are views of the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and (poignantly) the Twin Towers - as Cat is blown by each landmark. The resolution to the tale, although unlikely (of course, this is a story about a cat and a bird who are best friends, so reality isn't really the emphasis), is heartwarming, and the conclusion - in which the human returns, and is confirmed in his belief that his animals have done nothing but nap all day - is hilarious. Now I'm wondering what my Breezy-boy does, when I'm away all day - I knew there was a reason he's been so sleepy in the evenings! ( )