Arresting and varied perspectives in the full-page and panel illustrations enhance the drama in a picture book about a high-rise dwelling cat who loves traversing his rooftop domain, until the day he goes after a bird and falls “down … down … down … down!” The cat, rotating through the fall, is lucky to land on an awning, and from there into the arms of a man on the ground. But after that, the cat prefers hidden places to wide-open, high-rise spaces, too scared to go back outside. A crow on the balcony is what finally lures him back out, and up, “until he found himself … on top of the world again.” Appealing in its own right, the story also speaks to any child who’s ever struggled with fear. (Ages 3–7)

A curious cat plus a big fall leads to squashed confidence. How this cat bounces back will encourage readers everywhere to try, try again. Eye-catching art and crisp graphic paneling invite even the youngest of children to get back on their feet to explore the city alongside TipTop Cat.