Chimney and Co: The Poetic Story of A Family Cat

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1. Nancy Eaton says:

   January 4, 2010 at 4:59 pm

   Chimney and Co: The Poetic Story of A Family Cat

   Who is Chimney? He is a family cat and he is telling his story in poetic form in the book “Chimney & Co”.

   Chimney starts the poems at a time when he was very young and they continue up through his mature years.

   The titles of some of my favorites are:

   My Arrival – Chimney tells how some people came to the kennel to choose a dog for their pet and the little girl picked “Susie” an Irish Setter. The litter of kittens was spotted under a chair and Chimney was the one chosen to go along with Susie.

   The Naming of Me – Chimney tells how he got his name.

   Time Wasting – Chimney tells why he hates to see people working.

   Susie – Mother – When Susie had eleven puppies in all and how proud she was at that time.

   My Favourite Person – Chimney explains what a joy it is for families to have a Granddad.

   My First Christmas – This one is my very favorite of all. Chimney tells about his first time seeing a Christmas tree. If anyone has a cat, this poem will mean so much to you and I’m sure it will give you many laughs.

   I could go on and on because I own a cat and many of these poems bring back some fond memories.

   Pamela Douglas has done an excellent job with these poems. Any reader, young or old, will come away with the feeling that the cat is “really” the one telling the story in these poems. The author uses her writing skills and creative imagination to make the reader feel this way.

   If you are a cat lover, this is a must read book of poems. If you don’t own a cat, you might want to get one after reading this book.

   Parents will enjoy reading these poems to their younger children. What a combination – cat adventures made into poetic stories!

   What I really liked about the author’s writing style is that she makes the reader aware that cats are keenly aware of everything going on around them. If you have ever had a cat, you are well aware of this trait.

   There are also several poems that teach lessons with messages such as Sadie’s Sore Paw. Sadie stepped on a piece of glass due to someone “littering” the countryside. Another example of a message is All Pals Together where we learn it is important to “share and appreciate friends.”

   Be sure to pick up a copy of Chimney & Co. You will find the poems funny, a learning experience and very entertaining.

   Rating: 5 / 5

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2. Allbooks Review says:

   January 4, 2010 at 7:42 pm

   Genre: Poetry

   Title: Chimney & Co, The poetic story of a family cat.

   Author: Pamela Douglas

   Noted anthologist and poet, Myra Cohn Livingston always told her students “to observe and to write.” She wanted poetry students to learn to look closely at the world around them and to understand that observation is a powerful tool for any writer.
   
   Author and poet, Pamela Douglas must have taken this to heart. Her words echo life. Close observations of the family cat, have produced some simple, yet effectual, poetry.
   
   Young children love rhyme and rhythm making them the perfect audience for a well-written book of children’s poetry. What better subject than the family cat? We follow Chimney from life as a kitten to full grown cat with each segment of Chim’s life beautifully portrayed in carefully observed, emotion packed sonnet.

   The lively cadence throughout is songlike and especially appealing to youngsters. One of my favorites is: Seaside Holiday pg. 68

   We all went to the coast one year.
   
   To a cottage by the sea;
   
   The air was clean, it smelt of salt
   
   The wind blew fresh and free.
   
   The dogs enjoyed their romping
   
   By the shore, the sea, the sand.
   
   My paws preferred to stay at home
   
   On more familiar land.

   Everyone can identify with this lovely verse. A trip to the seashore, you can almost smell the salt in the air and feel the breeze on your skin. This book will appeal to readers of all ages from 1 to 100.
   
   Pamela Douglas also illustrated this book. Illustrations in black and white are simplistic and help to tell the story without distracting from it.
   
   Author and poet, Pamela Douglas is the widow of the late theatrical director Wallace Douglas. She lives in West Sussex, England and continues to write. Some of her other works are Hyam, the cat who talked too much, Animals in my Life, and The Who’s Afraid stories. Recommended by reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Review

   Rating: 3 / 5

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3. Love Books says:

   January 4, 2010 at 9:03 pm

   This is a gentle book for lovers of cats and pets of all ages – with a return to old fashioned values written by someone who really seems to care for our four footed companions .

   Also by the same author-

   Hyam the cat who talked too much
   Rating: 5 / 5

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