TOES
by Tor Seidler
illustrated by Eric Beddows
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060540990
Ages 8-12
176 pages

A litter of cats is born into the McDonahue family. One kitten is shunned by the rest of the litter and becomes a favorite of the family due to his physical appearance and intelligence. The unusual kitten is named Toes because he has seven toes on each foot instead of five. The family soon realizes that Toes is not an ordinary cat. He loves listening to classical music, watching sports on TV, and riding in the car. His brothers and sisters are jealous of the attention that Toes receives from the family. They tease him and exclude him from all of their activities.

Toes is tired of being shunned by his siblings and decides to leave the McDonahue house. He sets out on an adventure one evening and takes refuge from the rain in the basement of a run-down house. A struggling musician named Sebastian soon befriends the extraordinary cat. When Toes learns of Sebastian's musical ambitions, he devises a plan to help him.

The lovable feline in TOES will steal the hearts of children, and the heartwarming ending will touch all readers, both young and old.

   --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

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