And just like that, it’s Friday once again!
This week I’m sharing a poetry collection that’s just purrrrfect for cat lovers like me.
Have I mentioned that I’m a cat lady?
I’m a cat lady.
So of course my heart did a little leap when I saw this beauty at the library!
A Curious Collection of Cats by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Michael Wertz
This collection of concrete poems is so much fun! The poems are short and pithy, and the illustrations are just filled to the brim with colour and life!
Here are just two of my favourite poems in the collection:
Techno Cat
Binky’s Kittens
The way in which the text and the illustrations are woven together is eye-catching, and really challenges the reader to take in the entire spread, making reading an active, rather than passive activity. This would be a great text for encouraging young writers to really allow themselves to write “outside the box”, and use the entire page as their canvas!
Honestly this collection is just wonderful – I can’t believe I’ve never come across it before. It would make the purrrfect gift for any cat lover in your life, of any age!
And with that, have a terrific week, friends!
Oh, and P.S. – I’m hosting Poetry Friday next week! How exciting!!! 
oh wow! I love this and know someone who NEEDS this book, so will be seeking it out. It’s purrfect.
Hurray! So glad to be sharing the cat poetry love.
What a feast for the eyes, and fun to read, too!
I’d heard of this book, but haven’t seen it in person yet. Thanks for sharing the sample poems — Love the playfulness and I’m sure kids find this book a joy to read. Hello, Cat Lady!
One of the many lovely things about working in a library is all the books I stumble upon while tidying up the shelves!
How clever! I’m charmed.
I love this, too, Jane. Binky’s Kittens is simply a delight! Thank you!
I wish I could be a cat lady! My husband is allergic, so I’ve had to give them up. Maybe I could talk him into this fun collection of cat poems instead!
My partner and I are actually both very allergic! What a cruel, cruel twist of fate, to be an asthmatic, allergic cat lady! :'(
Thanks for this fun post Jane, the book is marvelous and p-p-p-erfect; just shared it with my daughter who also thinks it’s cool. I’ll have to look for it!
We have seven of Franco’s math concept and/or poetry books, but somehow missed this one. The cat across the keyboard poem fits my life to a T.
I love ALL of Betsy Franco’s concrete poem collections, but this one is the “pick of the litter,” as it were!
Oh, these are such fun! I’m a cat person, too, and have recently acquired two young cats. I can totally relate to the keyboard issue as I’ve been remonstrating with both our kitties about this lamentable habit. Binky’s Kittens is wonderful! Those words prance and play all over the page, just like kittens! Thanks for sharing.
I have this book, too – been a cat person since birth! ;0) Thanks for sharing, and yay for hosting next week. Prrrrrr….
What a fun book!
I have this book and share it often. It’s so much fun! A great book to show kids the joy of concrete poetry.