Chato's Kitchen

When Chato, a "cool, low-riding cat," partial to mambo and mice, espies a new family of five mouse neighbors, he exchanges pleasantries and politely invites them over for a welcoming dinner. Retreating to his kitchen, Chato begins making fajitas, enchiladas, flan and other culinary delights to accompany the main course. When his homecat friend, Novio Boy, drops in, the pair slap paws with a "low four," and Chato informs him that they're "having mice for dinner with the works!" Meanwhile, the mice send a message over to Chato explaining a previous engagement with a friend named Chorizo and ask if he might accompany them to Chato's dinner. The idea of a sixth mouse with a name that means "sausage" suits Chato just fine. I won't reveal the surprise ending, but I will say that I was thoroughly charmed by this colorful iconographic adaptation of Gary Soto's 1995 children book, illustrated by Susan Guevara, purrfectly narrated by the playful Cheech Marin, and featuring a zesty Latin score by Jerry Dale McFadden. Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)