For two whole years Fred has dreamed of getting a pet cat. He has even given his dream cat a name-Rick. But Fred's parents own a fish market, and for them buying a cat would be like hiring a shark as a lifeguard. Nevertheless, when they inform Fred there will soon be a new arrival at their house, he gets excited-until he learns they mean a new brother or sister. Fred ends up loving his brother Paul, but he still wants a cat. When he visits his best friend William's farm, he finally gets to see cats in action; he also finds a foolproof reason to have one at home. <em>Fred's Dream Cat</em> is a lively, touching story about how one boy's patience pays off in the end.