Two Cat Tales

Two Cat Tales

Picture books
One day I was about to rush out of Orono Public Library,
fortified with two bags of fresh reading material, when our children's
librarian notified me of two new cat books I'd love to read...unless
it would be too many. Too books, especially ones featuring my
favorite animal? Can there be such a thing?
Jason Carter Eaton's The Catawampus Cat, while full of zip and
pizzaz, has a simple but profound lesson for kids and parents alike.
Into a town where everyone's doing the same old, same old
regular like clockwork...walks the catawampus cat all tilted to one
side. When the people tilted their heads and bodies to match, amazing
things happen.
*A woman finds her wedding ring that has been lost 20 years.
*A barber gives a client a new haircut she loves.
*A librarian takes the wrong book and swaps out her job for a life of
adventure...
Eventually when everyone in town is refocussed and happy there
is a celebration of the catawampus cat. You'll never guess what
happens next.
The moral of the book for kids and parents alike: a slight
change in perspective can make a world of difference. And you don't
have to walk slantwise and risk falling over. Ages ago I had moments
I felt frustrated living in a trailer because they look so much
alike. Then I would pretend to give a tour to a refugee from a
country at war who would really notice the running water, electricity,
full fridge and cupboards, healthy children... I never got all the way
through my home before realizing how much I have to be grateful for.
Alert readers of The Catawampus Cat will notice something
interesting in the illustrations. Embedded in nearly every one is a
realistic detail. In a street scene where people are watching the cat
a green car looks like it came out of a 50's magazine. The posters in
the school and library scenes really jump out at you. Why do you
think the illustrator included them?
There are no wrong answers.
Holly Hobbie's A Cat Named Swan starts off quite precariously.
A kitten born in an alley wakes up to find his mother and littermates
gone. He is all in a big, harsh world, contending with inclement
weather, big dogs, and wheeled vehicles.
One day he is captured and taken to the pound. Well at least
he's safe and well fed. But something even better is in store, a
forever family who brought him home and named him Swan.
"After many days had passed, he learned that the house was his
house, the yard was his yard. He learned that the people were his
people and he was theirs. He belonged to them and he belonged to
them. After many days had passed, he learned that the days would
continue to come and go in the same way."
That's about the happiest ever after any feline can get.
If you have kids clamoring or you find yourself yearning for a
family cat please don't immediately go for a purebred. At least take
a walk through a shelter or pound and see if one of the residents
catches your eye and heart. You may be literally saving a precious
life.
Joey is a random breed. We know who his mother was. The rest
of his lineage is a total mystery. For fourteen years he has been the
dearest companion I could wish for. As I write this he is sprawled
out on my legs, purring heartily, and gazing at me with unconditional
love.
On a purrrrrsonal note, UMaine had two fine events this week. There
was a two day blood drive with fine attendance. I donated and
volunteered. We got lovely long sleeve holiday shirts. Last night we
celebrated multicultural Thanksgiving with all kinds of nontraditional
good food. People who went had a wonderful time.
A great big shout out goes out to all who participated in those events.
jules hathaway



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