On Kit's birthday, she receives a guinea pig.When Kit leaves for school, "the Surprise" is surrounded by her other pets: a dog, a cat, and a bird. Collectively, they decide she's an oddball, and the Surprise is sad. She tries to find ways to be like the others; she attaches balloons to herself so she can fly...and she flies right out the window. Luckily, Emily Brookstein catches her, cares for her, and returns her to Kit just in time. With new perspective, and a new name, Maud is accepted by the other pets, who soften their rigid schedule to allow for some new ideas.

Excellent endpapers show a sepia cross-section of an apartment building with its inhabitants (people and animals), plants, and decorations; different on front and back.

Charming.

See also: Alfie by Thyra Heder ( )