In a charming time-lapse sequence, vignettes of Cat and Squirrel moping on the steps of their house form an arc along the side of a spread (""So they waited./ All that long afternoon.""). After Duck waddles off in a huff, the remaining pair heads out to hunt for him-to no avail. Here the warm golden glow that has permeated their dwelling turns an angry orange-red with paws, wings and flying. But one day, Duck decides to be the stirrer instead of the salt pourer, and an all-out battle ensues. There's a rhythm to their lives: each has his own instrument to play and his own duties when it comes to cooking their famous pumpkin soup (""the best you ever tasted""). Beginning with a peek through a window where Cat, Squirrel and Duck are making music together, Cooper (The Boy Who Wouldn't Go to Bed) invites youngsters into their cozy pumpkin-shaped home. (Picture book.This enchanting story explores the ups and downs of close-knit camaraderie. Both his earlier desertion and return fall woefully flat, but readers will be smitten with Cooper’s smart and utterly disarming artwork. When they don’t find him, they return home crestfallen, where Duck is waiting. They set out to find him, fret, fuss, worry that he’s been hurt, or worse, found new friends.
Without his touch with the salt, however, the soup is a disaster, and Cat and Squirrel just plain miss Duck.
Squirrel tells him to take a hike, which the disgruntled Duck does.
Then Duck decides to take over Squirrel’s responsibilities. Cat dices the pumpkin, Squirrel stirs in the water, and Duck adds the all-important pipkin of salt. They are a harmonious trio, especially when they concoct their pumpkin soup. Deep in the forest, in their squash-like abode, live three little creatures: a cat, a squirrel, and a duck. Cooper (The Boy Who Wouldn’t Go to Bed, 1997, etc.) tries for a shaggy-dog story, whose details are less compelling than page after page of charmingly snug illustrations.
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