Bill Peet is one of those authors who either delights, annoys, or infuriates me. Maybe a little like many famous comedians, he can be oh, so creatively hilarious, but he can also stray over into the inappropriate. I have heard it said that there are something like four versions of Robin Williams’s “Mrs. Doubtfire.” The PG version all of the way up to the X-rated version. Bill Peet is nothing like that extreme, but I do have a standing rule that I need to preview all of his books before we put them into the library. Peet’s humor and creativity shine in Jennifer and Josephine, a charming tale that strikes a lovely balance between whimsy and heartwarming adventure.

“Jennifer was already an old automobile way back in the year of 1933. The old touring car had traveled over a hundred thousand miles and been sold or traded so many times she couldn’t remember all the owners. Now at last she was worn out and sold for scrap iron and left sitting in the far corner of a junkyard just passing the time rusting away. Still, Jennifer wasn’t altogether unhappy, at least she had a friend, a scrawny cat named Josephine.”

Josephine is a stray cat, and she has become attached to Jennifer and Jennifer to her. One day a man comes to the junkyard looking for a car that will run. He isn’t particular about what he gets because, as he said to the junkyard man, “I buy ’em cheap and run the wheels off ’em.” 

Mr. Frenzy buys Jennifer and, unbeknownst to him, Josephine has stowed away in the backseat, determined to stay with her friend. As he takes Jennifer on a wild journey through the countryside, the reader is treated to a series of entertaining mishaps and adventures.

Mr. Frenzy drives the car up and down hills, through the mud and rain, and all over the countryside. One night, in a storm, he runs Jennifer off the road, down an embankment, and nearly into the river. As the storm rages on and the river begins to rise, Josephine realizes that Jennifer was going to drown. The smart kitty runs to a nearby farm and gets the attention of a little boy who thinks that she must have a litter of kittens in need of help. He follows her and discovers Jennifer. 

Peet’s illustrations enhance the narrative beautifully, bursting with personality. 

Overall, Jennifer and Josephine is a delightful story about friendship, loyalty, and courage in the face of adversity. It’s a book that resonates with both children and adults, capturing the essence of Peet’s storytelling magic. I’m thrilled to add this gem to my library.