Lots of attention to detail makes this an exceptional book.  First of all, the font size is large and easy to read.  Second, the language is sparse.  Just enough to tell the story without any unneeded embellishments.  Third, the illustrations of events are finely detailed without any distractions.  Expressions on the faces of the animals are clear.  And, finally, the story itself is very clever, very minimal.  There are only three main characters:  the shoemaker, the cat, and the monster.  The poor shoemaker has no business, no money, so the cat tells him to make him some fine boots and he will be his messenger and drum up some business, which he did.  The cat comes across a castle in which lives a monster with the ability to change into whatever animal he wishes.  The cat sells the monster a pair of boots for every animal he becomes.  The monster doesn’t want to pay the cat so the cat thinks of a scheme.  He has the shoemaker make the tiniest of books and takes them to the monster, saying he probably isn’t powerful enough to change into a creature small enough to wear the boots.  The monster accepts the challenge and turns himself into a mouse, which the cat promptly eats.  No frills, just a great story.