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Photo from Simon and Schuster
by Alicia Rudnicki, Library Mix

Pets and poetry form a winning combination in Dogku and A Curious Collection of Cats.

Homelessness is a compelling topic gently brought into focus by Andrew Clements delightful stray dog story Dogku. Completely written in haiku, it is an excellent introduction to that poetic form.

Betsy Franco refers to her book, A Curious Collection of Cats, as containing “concrete poems,” because they are part of the art shapes, such as one poem that forms the tail of twitchy, itchy cat. This makes the poetry more enticing and less abstract to young readers.

Dogku, by Andrew Clements, Simon and Schuster, 2007, ISBN 978-0-689-85823-9, Available at Powell's Books

Mooch is a nameless mutt until he wanders forlornly up to the open back door of a suburban home where a friendly looking mom takes pity on him.

Traditionally used to express thoughts about nature, the 5-7-5 syllable form of haiku has expanded to many other subjects in recent years. Each page of Mooch’s story is told as a haiku.

After mom feeds and bathes him, the children wake.

“Morning brings children./ Hugs, licks, barking, and laughing./ Warmer than sunshine.”

While the children are at school, Mooch happily accompanies the mother as she drives around town to accomplish errands.

“Nose out the window,/ ears flapping, hair pushed straight back./ Adventures in smell.”

It is difficult for Mooch to sleep through the long afternoon awaiting the return of the children. What is even more difficult is his worry that the family won’t keep him.

But all is well at the end when dad returns carrying a surprise for children and dog alike.

“A new doggy bed!/ Food, a bowl, a squeaky toy!/ Mooch has found his home.”

Tim Bowers vibrant illustrations add extra warmth to Clements’ heart-tugging story.

A Curious Collection of Cats: Concrete Poems, by Betsy Franco, Tricycle Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-58246-248-6, Available at Powell's Books

Thirty-two poems, some rhyming and others written in free verse, describe the many whimsical traits of cats.

In “Her Royal Highness,” a cat wearing a crown curls up on a pile in a laundry room bright with rosy sunshine. The folded edge of each item in the pile contains a line of the poem: “ Sunbeams catch the cat/ Curled up on her/ Throne of / Folded laundry.”

Similar to Clements, Franco has a gentle way of approaching sad topics, such as the death of a pet. In “A Tree for Samantha,” the poem concerns an oak tree that the author plants to commemorate a favorite cat that knew how to soothe her when she was having a bad day.

Each line of the poem starts at the base of the tree’s trunk and stretches upward on one of its branches. The poem concludes by Franco writing, “The oak is strong, and it will make good climbing when it grows,/ But it will never guess I’m sad and kiss me on the nose.”

On the next page, the mood lifts with the humorous “Pascal’s Tongue,” in which all the words of the poem form the tongue.

“If you’ve/ Ever attempted to lick your neck clean./ I think you’ll understand what I mean./ When I say my cat’s tongue is especially long./ Go ahead. Lick your neck. Prove me wrong.”

Franco’s Curious Collection is a treat for bedtime reading and a purr-fect teaching tool for discussions about feelings, pets, and vocabulary as well as the art of poetry.
 
 
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by Alicia Rudnicki, Library Mix

Financial worries usually abound for new parents who are learning how to juggle work and home. What if you or your spouse is unemployed due to the recession and must cut expenses like crazy? Heaven forbid, what if both of you are unemployed?

The stress, of course, is nearly unbearable at times. However, as you assess your situation day by day, remember that time is a gift too. You may not be able to buy savings bonds for junior’s future or start a college savings account right now, but there are many things you can do with your free time that will greatly improve your baby’s future.

Bonding and building literacy
Why not devote some of this precious time to investing in and bonding with your baby by participating in literacy programs at the library?

At library story times designed specifically for infants and toddlers, parents and caregivers learn stories, songs, and rhymes to share with their children. They also have a chance to socialize.

Regularly reading with your baby is one of the best investments you can make in his or her future.

Why reading to your baby is important
In its April/May 2009 issue of Literacy at the Library, Denver Public Library noted six skills to work on with young readers: learning to love books, gaining new words, telling a story, becoming aware of print everywhere, seeing letters, and making sounds.

According to KidsHealth, which is part of the southeastern U.S. Nemours Foundation, babies learn “all the sounds needed to speak their native language” by the time they are one year old.

Nemours says, “When reading, your child hears you using many different emotions and expressive sounds, which fosters social and emotional development.” It adds that “reading also invites your baby to look, point, touch, and answer questions — all of which promote social development and thinking skills. And your baby improves language skills by imitating sounds, recognizing images, and learning words.”

Nemours notes that reading aloud with your little one “makes a connection between the things your baby loves the most — your voice and closeness to you — and books. Spending time reading to your baby shows that reading is a skill worth learning.”