Beach Blanket Books

New this week:

JAMES HERRIOT’S CAT STORIES by James Herriot (St. Martin’s Press: $16.95). Though retired, the North Yorkshire, England, veterinarian’s 50 years of service continues to fill volumes.

IN LOVE WITH NORMA LOQUENDI by William Safire (Random House: $25) . Safire’s mistress is his love of language. Here he dissects the everyman’s voice, choice and meaning of words.

YOU ARE SPECIAL: Words of Wisdom from America’s Most Beloved Neighbor by Fred Rogers (Viking: $18.95). For the past 25 years parents have shared a healthy cup of wisdom with Mr. Rogers in the mornings. His serene and practical counsel is now in book form.