Jenny the little black cat is celebrating her birthday. She meets her cat friends outside on the streets of the city. Two of them bring fish from a shop, and Pickles brings a basket of goodies. They go to the local park (riding in Pickles’ fire truck), where they feast on the treats and then proclaim that all will do what Jenny chooses. She likes best to dance, so they dance the sailor’s hornpipe (she belongs to a sea Captain), and then after the party, make their way back home. Jenny goes to sleep in her basket content and pleased with the day, wishing that all cats could have a birthday as happy as hers was. That’s all. Very simple and sweet. I read the Jenny stories out of order but now recognize most of the characters in this one. I think it probably appealed to children who already knew Jenny from the other books.
It felt particularly nostalgic to me because the format of the book and the style and limited color palette of the illustrations, reminded me very much of Goodnight Moon and the ones about Angus (a Scottie dog), which I feel inclined to look for again now!
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 5/26/24.
