Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner (review)

Pricey toys mean nothing to Mr. Wuffles, a handsome tuxedo cat who has instead fixed on the Saturn-styled metal object that's appeared on the floor—understandably, since the spiky little item is actually the spaceship of a crew of tiny green explorers. When Mr. Wuffles starts to buffet their vessel, the expedition disembarks and runs for cover under the radiator, where they meet and parley with an advanced civilization of insects. The cordial exchange results in the acquisition of replacements for their damaged ship parts (the aliens' tools allow them to take cross-sections of under-radiator detritus such as an M 'n' M and a marble), and together they execute a Wuffles-bamboozling plan to allow the visitors a safe return to their ship and out the window. Fans of Tuesday (BCCB 5/91) will recognize Wiesner's easy shift from the mundane to the fantastical here as well as his deft and plausible creation of a skewed reality, with Lascaux-like paintings of cat vs. insect battles adorning the insects' lair, and the ants providing a cheese cracker for a celebratory feast. Aside from the occasional human comment to Mr. Wuffles, the only text is in speech balloons for the aliens (strings of geometric figures) and ants (scratch marks), and the narrative unfolds largely in comic-style panel sequences employing Wiesner's poker-faced realism; on a more dramatic note, there's a Spielberg/Lucas level of glory to the bold ant-back and ladybug-flying escape scenes (you can practically hear the John Williams score). Is Yorinks' Company's Coming not weird enough for you? Try this.