Add witty to 'Itty Bitty Kitty Ditties'

A Twin Cities trio -- writer Tim Hodapp, artist Alex Boies and designer Jo Davison -- have collaborated on "Itty Bitty Kitty Ditties," published by Abrams ($9.95, 36 pages). It's an alphabet book of cats, told in rhyme, illustrated with pen and ink drawings. And while it would undoubtedly be enjoyable for children, the book is funny and witty and sophisticated enough for anyone. (That says a lot, coming from me, a dog person.) My favorite of the cats has got to be R for Rupert:

"Rupert the cat

rang a brass bell for his mice

and enjoyed them with toast points and vodka on ice."

Hodapp will be at Magers & Quinn in Uptown at 7:30 p.m. May 29.

Also ...

• Kathryn Kysar, Heid Erdrich and Sun Yung Shin will get together at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, to talk about their moms. The writers contributed to the anthology "Riding Shotgun: Women Write About Their Mothers," edited by Kysar and published by Borealis Books.

• Norah Labiner's new book, "German for Travelers: A Novel in 95 Lessons," has been published by Coffee House Press. She'll read at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Loft/Open Book, 1011 Washington Av. S., Mpls. Labiner, of Minneapolis, is the author of "Miniatures."

• Mark Herringshaw, pastor of North Heights Lutheran Church in St. Paul, has published a book with Tyndale House. "Nine Ways God Always Speaks" (250 pages, $14.99) was coauthored by Jennifer Schuchmann.

• "Madness: A Bipolar Life" by Marya Hornbacher has been released in paperback by Houghton Mifflin. Hornbacher lives in Minneapolis.