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Dear Book Lovers, Welcome! I am delighted that you have found The Through the Looking Glass blog. For over twenty years I reviewed children's literature titles for my online journal, which came out six times a year. Every book review written for that publication can be found on the Through the Looking Glass website (the link is below). I am now moving in a different direction, though the columns that I write are still book-centric. Instead of writing reviews, I'm offering you columns on topics that have been inspired by wonderful books that I have read. I tell you about the books in question, and describe how they have have impacted me. This may sound peculiar to some of you, but the books that I tend to choose are ones that resonate with me on some level. Therefore, when I read the last page and close the covers, I am not quite the same person that I was when first I started reading the book. The shift in my perspective might be miniscule, but it is still there. The books I am looking are both about adult and children's titles. Some of the children's titles will appeal to adults, while others will not. Some of the adult titles will appeal to younger readers, particularly those who are eager to expand their horizons.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and seventy-six

A few years ago I adopted two Siamese kittens who have now grown into gorgeous cats. They were rescues, and for a long time they were not interested in being friends with their humans. In fact, they were downright unfriendly. Over time they have come to realize that we did not want to hurt them. In fact we wanted to feed them, pet them, and give them cozy beds to sleep on.

In today's picture book you will meet a cat who desperately wants what my cats have.


Leigh Hodgkinson
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Tiger Tales, 2009, 978-1-58925-421-3
   Boris is a homeless cat, and most of the time he does not have a problem with this at all. There are times however when he wishes he had “a plumpish pillow to snuggle onto.” When he is in need of nap, a soft pillow would be most welcome.
   One day Boris is “tired, grouchy, and in desperate need of a long catnap,” and he finds a cardboard box that is full of packing material. Boris climbs into the box and nods off. Boris is happily dreaming of ear tickles and fish when he is woken up to discover that something is happening to his box. The lid has been closed and soon Boris in his box is carted off to who knows where.
   When it arrives at its destination, Lady Snootlethorpe opens the box, hoping that it contains the biggest teapot in the world. It doesn’t. It contains Boris. A disappointed Lady Snootlethorpe tapes up the box and sends it on its way.
   The next person to open the box is not a person at all. Instead, Mr. Marshmallow the North Pole bear opens the box expecting to find fish inside it. He is not at all pleased to find that the box is inhabited by a “silly cat.” Poor Boris is sent on his way once again. When will this tiresome journey be over, and will he ever find a soft pillow to nap on?
   In this charming picture book, readers meet a cat who has simple needs, needs that everyone can understand and appreciate. Children will quickly get caught up in Boris’ story, and they will find themselves hoping that the delightful feline eventually finds what he is looking for.
   With unique multimedia collage artwork and a loveable main character, this is a picture book that cat lovers of all ages will enjoy.

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