France has a thriving comics community that treats its creators like rock stars. Joann Sfar is one of the greats to come out of that scene and this book is among his greatest creations. Set in early 20th century Algeria, it begins with a cat who starts to talk to his master - a rabbi - and moves on from there to explore all manner of moral and spiritual questions. Chock full of Jewish wisdom, laden with a worldly knowledge, yet light and whimsical, the drawings instantly charmed me, and the stories within moved me to both tears and laughter. A hopeful book, an honest book, it makes me wish I could have met all of the main characters for tea.

www.randomhouse.com/pantheon