I've always thought Mr Arena a really nice guy, but methinks Mr Arena also has a wicked sense of humour, perfectly showcased in his quirky picture book - Hey, Cat!
Thankfully, Arena doesn't resort to rhyme as is so often the case with books of this nature - and his charming prose works perfectly as a result.
A cheeky little mouse loves his friend the cat for loving him for whomever he needs to be at any given time. A crowd-stopper, an Italian speaker, a laugher, a footy supporter, a mouse that can perform an Irish jig and still look cool.
He also loves that his friend the cat loves to scratch his back, prepare him bubbling baths (think hotpot) and sprinkle him with salt to pretend its snowing. But what his loving friend the cat does not know is that this little mouse can not only dance a cool Irish jig - he's also a black belt in karate.
Charming and funny with Arena's own quirky, childlike illustrations, Hey, Cat! is a cert for giggles.
Title: Hey, Cat!
Author/Illustrator: Felice Arena
Publisher: New Frontier, $24.95
Publication Date: July 2009
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780670071753
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book