Renée Reichert is the recipient of the Society of Illustrators' Certificate of Merit, among other awards. The Cat Came Back was her first picture book. She lives in Centerport, New York, with her family and her 18-year-old orange cat, Theodore, who was the inspiration for the cat in this book.

This is the Wind leads readers and listeners through the pages of this poetic tale of two mothers—one human, one mouse— recounting the story of giving birth to their children. Gorgeous illustrations show the human world and the tiny mouse world, both under the same lush moonlight. A treasure for any mother-to-be or new parent.

Renée will be at the Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport, LI, on February 15, 18 & 22nd for 'Our Night Out' where she will read her book This is the Wind and there will be a sing-along to The Cat Came Back as her paintings are projected onto the dome under star-filled skies. 6-7 PM. Tickets are $8 per person. Call 631-854-5579 for details and reservations.

Click on each book image above to be taken to the website for purchases.

$16.95 at www.macmillan.com