Making new friends can be hard, especially for a cat confronted by a canine newcomer to the household. At first Cleo is alarmed by Caspar’s barking and runs to hide on a tree branch, but she soon overcomes her fear and the two creatures become playmates. A spare text (“Cleo runs downstairs. / Cleo hears a sound. / Someone new is in the house! / Cleo looks around.”) and striking, boldly-outlined acrylic illustrations combine in an appealing look at new experiences for young children. (Ages 18 months – 3 years)

Cleo the cat must contend with the new puppy Caspar. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start, but soon the two of them are playmates and a new friendship begins. This new addition to the Cleo board book series encourages children to overcome initial worries about someone new and to try and get along with others. Illustrations.