Caramba is a cat with a disability. Unlike all other cats, Caramba cannot fly. As hard as he tries, and in spite of the help of his friends, he remains firmly on the ground. One glorious day his friends take him for a ride in the air; however, the day almost ends in tragedy as they drop Car amba into the sea . . . and he discovers that he can swim! The adventure ends when the nautical cat rows off with Portia the pig, ready for new adventures and much more accepting of himself. 2006 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award. sc

Caramba is a fat, furry, striped cat with a big problem. ÒEvery single cat in the world can fly,Ó he sighs, Òexcept me!Ó Caramba would love to swoop and glide between the clouds, to feel the wind whistling through his fur. He tries to soar into the sky over and over again but always lands flat on his face, until finally he sadly accepts that he is earthbound. ÒDon't be such a scaredy-cat,Ó cry his cousins. ÒAll cats are meant to fly!Ó They grab his paws and whisk him up into the sky for an impromptu flying lesson that ends with a big splashÉ and a surprising discovery in this beautifully illustrated story with a special message of self-acceptance.