or Nick McDonell, The Council of Animals is a captivating fable for humans of all ages--dreamers and cynics alike--who believe (if nothing else) in the power of timeless storytelling.

"'Now, ' continued the cat, 'there is nothing more difficult than changing an animal's mind. But I will say, in case I can change yours: humans are more useful to us outside our bellies than in.'"

Perhaps.

After The Calamity, the animals thought the humans had managed to do themselves in. But, it turns out, a few are cowering in makeshift villages. So the animals--among them a cat, a dog, a crow, a baboon, a horse, and a bear--have convened to debate whether to help the last human stragglers . . . or to eat them.

Rest assured, there is a happy ending. Sort of.

Featuring illustrations by Steven Tabbutt