Fred's Dream Cat

Peta Coffeng is a dramatist and the co-chair of the 1995 Ontario
Diversity in Education Conference.

Fred desperately wants a cat, but his parents won’t allow him to have
one because attached to their house is a fish store. They try to fob off
on him everything from a baby brother to a stuffed toy cat, but Fred
cheerfully and single-mindedly pursues his goal. He will do anything to
get a cat—or will he? In the end, Fred faces a moral crisis and is
surprised by his own response.

This delightful story captures Fred’s longing while allowing ample
doses of his wit and humor to shine through. The plot is perfect for
this First Novels series. Though he schemes in Machiavellian fashion,
Fred is a likable and engaging character who retains the sensibility and
language of an 11-year-old. Croteau’s deft narrative is aptly
complemented by Bruno St-Aubin’s droll black-and-white illustrations.
Highly recommended.