Milli, Jack, and the Dancing Cat by Stephen Michael King

32 p., Philomel, 2004. Sometimes creative children may be shy about expressing their imagination. Children who feel this way will find a role model in Milli, who has the soul of an artist and spends her days making very plain shoes. When two vagabond minstrels, Jack and the Dancing Cat, wander into town, they agree to trade dance lessons for new shoes. Milli finds that dancing makes her feel free and confident. When it's time to make shoes for her new friends, she makes unique, remarkable ones - and makes herself some special things, too. Jack encourages Milli to show her creativity to the world, Although she's scared at first, dancing helps her to remember what it feels like to be confident, and she decides to go ahead. People love what she's made, and she continues on her creative path. The watercolor and ink illustrations are both gentle and exuberant. Milli will help children feel free to express their true selves. Ages 5-8