When he falls asleep, the little Greenies make a break for it. I think they decided to try to find new parts for their ship. Mr. Wuffles wakes up and wants to play (Daddy Tim said he probably wanted to play "Tour My Digestive Tract"). He tries to catch the Greenies...
They apparently have to escape Mr Wuffles regularly since they have paintings on their walls about how they do it...And the bugs decide to help the Greenies.
Daddy Tim said this was a Caldecott honor book. It was one of his two picks for the Caldecott award this year (He thought "Battle Bunny" by Jon Scieszka should have won...he hasn't brought that home for me to read yet...He said he thought the committee was just to chicken to give it to a book that would be controversial--I can't wait to read it!). I think I would give this a Caldecatt as well as a Caldecott.
Today's Tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs): Toys are where you find them. Yes your Humans probably buy you Mousies and feathers on strings and ribbons on sticks...but every kitty knows that anything can be a toy. Paperwad is a good example. Daddies crinkle up paper they don't like. Sometimes they throw it...sometimes you have to stick your head in the trash to get to it. It is a lot of fun to bat around especially on the slippery floor. Also, stuff on shelves can make good toys...try knocking stuff on high shelves on to the floor. If it doesn't break, it might be fun to whack around! Socks and ties can be fun in a pinch too. Yesterday I found a fun spinney thing in the Daddy's torture-chamber-and-water-cat-box room; every time I whacked it it spun and gave out a wide white ribbon! Explore and play with everything...your Human won't mind; if they seem to, just turn on the cute--remember you're in charge.