Brian Lies introduces a sleepy cat whose afternoon nap transforms into an epic journey through art, time, and history. A girl sits on the couch reading a book in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian Antiquities room while her cat dozes nearby. When the cat notices a mouse and dives after it, an epic chase through time, art, and history ensues. Brian Lies creates a truly unique picture book that takes readers through the galleries of an art museum. As the cat and mouse leap from one page to the next, they are portrayed in the style of masterful artworks—each re-created in its original media by Brian Lies. When the sly mouse gets away, Kitten finds himself lost and alone and Kitten needs to find his way home? Of course he does with the help of some of his new “friends.”

A page-turning cat and mouse chase, an introduction to famous works of art throughout history, an epic adventure story, and a homecoming. Back matter includes information about how each of the illustrations in the book was created, notes on the original artworks featured in the book, and an afterword inviting young readers to make, create, and build things. A masterpiece for reading at story time, perusing on your own, or sharing 1-on-1 with someone of any age.

Nominated for Cream

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library