Along Came Toto

Percy the dog has had the dog's life. Now, it is interrupted by an unwelcome interloper, and a cat at that! This little pest knows only love and admiration for Percy, but it is hardly reciprocated. The carefree life of playing with one's toys and sleeping alone in one's own bed is rapidly slipping away, until the day Percy snaps. Toto the kitten is suddenly taken aback at the snarly accusations: "You measely monkey! You fiddly flea! You teensy weensy tiddly widdly tiger!" Remorseful in his sleep, Percy whimpers and sweats as he is harangued by monkeys, fleas, and a huge tiger that threatens to eat him up. Waking up with a start, he is comforted by the purring presence of his beloved friend, Toto. A sweet story with evocative watercolor illustrations, this book makes a good read in the classroom, where the children can chime in on every page: "Along came Toto!" I've read it in day-care, early-school, kindergarten and first grade classes, and the children love it. I am saddened that it appears to be out of print.