Miss Hazeltine has a LOT of cats! When she started her Home for Shy and Fearful Cats, she didn't know if anyone would come, but they certainly did, and they are scared of all sorts of things: some are afraid of mice, some of birds, some refuse to pounce, and others won't purr. Some feel hopeless and worthless, and some are afraid of simply everything - like Crumb. When he first arrives, he hides under the rug! He remains terribly shy, and even Miss Hazeltine's lessons on climbing up and down trees, on birds and scary noises, on how to pounce and how to arch one's back don't help. Crumb just hides. Miss Hazeltine is terribly understanding and admits to Crumb that she herself is afraid of mushrooms and owls and the dark. As Miss Hazeltine appears to be a witch, complete with peaky hat, stringy hair and a broom, this seems surprising, but then Miss Hazeltine is no ordinary witch. One day she must go out for more milk because so many new cats have arrived, and she tells Crumb that she will be back before dark, When she doesn't come, the cats become seriously worried, 'but they hadn't yet had the lesson on What to Do When the Lady You Love Goes Missing'. It is Crumb who becomes the hero for the day and leads the other cats out to find her. She is in a ditch where she has fallen and hurt her ankle and has had to confront all her own fears in the process. Of course, the cats get her home and all is well. The pictures are wonderfully crazy and slightly anarchic and they tell the story quite as much as the text does. I love all the big eyes and pointed noses and the cosiness of Miss Hazeltine's perfect witch house. This is a book to treasure, and being a cat lover, I will do so and confront my own fears along with the wonderful Miss Hazeltine and her glorious cats!