Sammy is an enthusiastic cat who opens this story wearing a bright yellow shirt announcing “I (heart) Charlotte.” He is visiting there with his cousin Adam, who will show him the sights. After a healthy breakfast, he and Adam head for the downtown with its many tall buildings. The city was founded in 1768 and named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. Its love of the arts is apparent in the grand, ultra-modern Belk Theater set in the city center. In the suburban area is the Mint Museum, which was for many years an art and drama center. The Billy Graham Library is housed in a peaceful farm setting memorializing the famous preacher. Charlotte Motor Speedway is next with its NASCAR history, followed by Lake Norman, a recreation site with 520 miles of shoreline. After a “warm yummy pizza” at Hungry Howie’s, Sammy goes to bed content, feeling ready for another big adventure.

This is the third book focusing on the enthusiastic Sammy by author Mravetz. The character is named for the author’s beloved pet, now passed on, whose photo appears in the dedication. Illustrations of the adventurous feline and his cat cousin Adam are subtly superimposed on photographs of the places visited, Part of illustrator Amy Gantt’s skill is to place the cousins in the frame without covering the best features of the photographs. Someone visiting these landmarks would thus be able to recognize them easily. Mravetz conveys the cousins’ conversation in simple language, with everything geared to a child’s enjoyment and imagination. For parents and grandparents who live in Charlotte, this short volume can offer a pleasant introduction to their surroundings for the younger generation. For those planning to visit the Queen City, the story is a compact, colorful guide to the highlights of the region.

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