Drawing for the last page of the Robber Kitten Book, 1935

I have loved this character since the minute I saw the publicity model drawing I bought in 1980. And this is probably my favorite drawing of the once would-be robber, Butch the Bandit, after he gave up his larcenous ways and finally took his bath.

Amazingly, even though this drawing was used as the final drawing, appearing in color in the single printing of the Robber Kitten book by McKay, it was one of the four illustrations which was deleted from the many printings of the book by Whitman. The illustration was, in my opinion, one of the most vital in telling Ambrose Kittens story, which was centered on his escaping from taking his bath. One might think that the illustration showing Ambrose's mother pouring hot water into the tub would have more appropriately been omitted by Whitman. Go figure.