Life before and after adoption by a loving family is described in senryu–a form of Japanese poetry, similar to haiku–by a gray shelter cat.
Named Won Ton by his “new boy,” the finicky feline experiences a car ride, the great outdoors, and being dressed in doll clothes by the family’s younger child. Finally, the cat learns to love and appreciate his new home.
The traditional verse, terse and short, expresses every aspect of the cat’s experiences, while the art takes the tale one step further with expressive lines, color, a dash of humor, and even dismay, as pictured in the cat wearing a pink hat and smock.
“What Kids are Reading” is a regular feature in the Sun, highlighting children’s books available for young readers in the area. This week’s recommendation was made by Cathy Allee, youth services manager with Santa Maria Public Library.
This article appears in Jun 9-16, 2011.
