purrrrrfect

cat power (2007) by daniel kirk - new book by the author of the marvelous the library mouse

I was hunting for a copy of the library mouse to give as a gift but no mouse was to be found instead another delightful book (albeit very, very different) by the same author. a wonderful read aloud book - the book actually comes with a cd where the poems/songs are set to music.

the poem/song hunter

I am a hunter
my senses are keen
Rats find me frightening
birds say I am mean

I'm sharp eyed, lighting clawed,
wealthy in stealth
mice declare I'm no good for their health

To wait by the bushes
to stake out a nest,
to hunt is my nature
it's what I do best!

It's my purpose, my fate, my joy and my habit
to sneak up on my prey
and then
simply
NAB IT!

the careful use of compliments

the careful use of compliments is the fourth book in alexander mccall smith's delightful series featuring philosopher-sleuth isabel dalhousie. set in edinburgh this engaging series draws the reader in to isabel's world which is filled with charm, coffee, wordplay, art, music and a bit of mystery.

if you are needing a little armchair travel to the streets of edinburgh check out this wonderful series - but make sure you start with the first book - the sunday philosophy club. I am totally hooked and prodigious as he is mr. mccall smith can not write fast enough to suit my fancy! he has another series which is also set in edinburgh which he calls the 44 scotland street collection. I'm hoping one day the two series will cross paths. both series are populated with the most delightful characters.

the isabel dalhousie series:
1) the sunday philosophy club
2) friends, lovers, chocolate
3) the right attitude to rain
4) the careful use of compliments
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a game of cat and mouse

an absolutely purrrfect tale of a mouse that outfoxes the most pretentious and pompous mr. maxwell, a cat whose arrogance sets a new gold standard! written in 2004 by frank asch and illustrated by his son devin asch.

I first heard about this book in december of 2006 when npr's scott simon interviewed daniel pinkwater for his recommendation of that year's best holiday books for kids. I originally ordered the book to give as a gift, but when it arrived and I read the story (and was drawn in by it's wonderful gorey-ish drawings) I simply could not part with it. along with mr. maxwell's mouse, I ordered another book from mr. pinkwater's 2006 list, 365 penguins, I did regretfully part with this book and gave it to the intended child. however, should I stumble on a copy of 365 penguins for sale at some bookstore, I will buy it to add to the children's book library at avenue c.

farang out!

do you enjoy books set in exotic locations?
does buddhism fascinate you?
are you interested in geopolitics?
do you find yourself craving to read a good mystery?

if you've answered yes to at least 2 of these questions then john burdett's bangkok mysteries are for you. set in thailand, this series centers primarily on the transcendent and earthly detecting skills on former buddhist monk, now bangkok p.d. detective sonchai jitpleecheep.

bangkok tattoo (2005) is number 2 in the series. but if you haven't met sonchai and the rest of the gang start with the first book entitled bangkok 8. the third of the series, bangkok haunts was released in 2007.

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