Through the Looking Glass Book Reviews: A curious Collection of cats

Welcome!

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.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Poetry Friday - A review of A Curious Collection of Cats

Suma checking her email

My office is in my home, which makes my commute very short, and which also makes it possible for me to bring my pets to work. In fact, they complain loudly if I try to lock them out. There are three dog beds on the floor, and and the dogs are quite happy to spend much of the day in here with me. The cats like to sit on my desk so that they can watch the birds through the window. They also like to steal my pens and pencils, swat at the cursor on my computer screens, climb into my book baskets, sleep on top of the printer, and try to bite the paper when the printer or scanner is doing its thing. They drive me crazy, and at the same time I love having them around. That's cats for you. For this poetry Friday I have a book of cat poems that I think cat lovers will greatly enjoy.

A curious collection of cats

Betsy Franco

Illustrations by Michael Wertz

Poetry

For ages 9 to 12

Tricycle Press, 2009, 978-1-58246-248-6

Unlike dogs, cats are “quirky.” You never quite know what a cat is going to do next. In this delightful book of concrete poems, Betsy Franco explores the ways of cats in verse, cleverly presenting each poem to create word pictures. In all we get to meet thirty-four cats who have all kinds of adventures.

There is Scooter, who desperately wants to catch a squirrel. Carefully Scooter stalks his “prey,” but when he is just inches from the “bold and toothy” squirrel, Scooter considers what the animal with the big tail might do to him. Perhaps a little discretion is in order!

Then there is Q-tip and Rosie. Rosie the dog likes to carry Q-tip around in her mouth. There is no “cause for alarm” though. Rosie is very gentle and Q-tip doesn’t mind. When the cat gets fed up, he “swats” Rosie on the nose and the dog lets him go.

Don’t forget Dharma. She’s a cat who knows her yoga. Not only can she do a beautiful arching cat pose, but she also manages the “doggy tilt” to perfection.

This unique title beautifully combines verse, word art, and illustrations to give young readers a singular journey into a world of feline-centric poetry. Cat lovers of all ages will cherish this delightful book.