Homer the Library Cat

PreS-Gr 1—Homer enjoyed a quiet life, with his quiet lady, in his quiet house. It takes a noisy chain of events to lead him to the library. Once there, however, he is happy to give up his peaceful, solitary days for the hubbub of the children's room, which also happens to be where his quiet lady works. While the story lacks fluidity, it has a comedic energy that should appeal to children. Once Homer leaves the safety of his home, every new hiding spot seems to guarantee peace and security, but children will quickly realize that some new ruckus is waiting for both Homer and them with the turn of each page. Even though the library initially promises serenity, the fact that the children's room itself is not a quiet place is made clear by the activity in the watercolor and collage illustrations. Children are reaching for books, playing with toys—even the shelf on which Homer contentedly sleeps at the end is a jumble of ransacked books. But the presence of the quiet lady, reading to the children, provides a sense of calm that nicely counterbalances the children's energy and enthusiasm.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA