his food. And rubs. And talk.
Every day, when the old man headed
for the back door, Hat mewed innocently.
Every day, he wanted to give Hat a chance.
But he worried Hat would leave him.
Or chase the squirrels - or worse.
But he worried Hat would leave him.
Or chase the squirrels - or worse.
So he shut the door tight. Every time."
My friend Charlotte will enjoy this book; she loves cats and kindness.
Troy Wilson introduces his young audience to a compassionate old man who lives alone in an inviting house which sports a deck off the back door. He sits there each morning and quietly awaits a visit from a neighborhood squirrel. The attraction is the pile of peanuts the man places on the top of his hat. The squirrel is a regular, happy visitor. Imagine his surprise when he picks up his hat one day to find a a very special someone hiding there!
The arrival of a kitten, named Hat by the man, brings comfort, joy and companionship. No longer lonely, the man spends all of his time with Hat. Well, not ALL. What about the squirrels he also loves? The dilemma comes in thinking what might happen should Hat finds his way ooutside.
As cats can be, Hat is curious. When the man disappears for many days, others come to make sure Hat is all right. They feed and talk with him, and they shut the door tightly when they leave. Until one day ...
"Would he leave? Would he chase the squirrels?
Or worse?"
Or worse?"
When the old man returns home, lessons have been learned by both.
Inviting scenes are created by Eve Coy in watercolor and colored pencil. The home and garden, the winning characters, and the visits between the old man and his beloved animals will have listeners wanting to be right there with them. Wouldn't we all? This is a tender tale to be appreciated for its warmth.
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