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Siblings Learning Together
The Rascal Cat Brothers follows a black cat who, up until now, was a solitary cat, and now has a kitten moving into his home and has to adapt. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story is the true events of adopting my two cats. The black cat, Midnight is actually my first cat I adopted from a shelter. The second cat, Snowball, is actually my silly younger cat, and this is the story of the day I brought him home. Ever since, the two boys have been amazing brothers, and Snowball has been super silly. I was inspired to write their story and their amazingly funny behaviors into a book series. They are my first pets, and I had no idea how silly and funny they could be. I thought their behaviors could be a great book, and what came out also came with a beautiful message.
Getting a new sibling can be challenging and confusing for children, as can bringing a new animal into the home with existing ones. Both situations can be the scene for humorous moments. What was your favorite scene in this story?
My favorite scene in the story is definitely when I find Snowball on the top shelf in my closet. That is a true event, and the illustrations in the books are my actual pictures. I just heard something in the closet one day and walked in to see this tiny 8.5 pound kitten on the top shelf of my closet. Midnight, of course, came to check it, too, but I was surprised and could not stop laughing. I think that is one of my favorite memories of Snowball. A favorite memory of both boys is definitely anytime they are cuddled up with me sleeping. I love when they cuddle with me and together. Snowball is bigger than Midnight in real life, and it is so cute and funny when he lays down on top of his brother rather than next to him.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I really did not set out to explore themes. I wanted to write down the silly and adorable things I have seen my two cats do. I thought starting with how I brought him home and the silly things Snowball did along with the cuddles that Midnight loves would be perfect. I did not know then I would make it into a series. I thought the way I wrote it could be either a series or a stand-alone book. It just morphed into this adorable funny story of siblings learning together and becoming family. I am very lucky to have it unfold that way.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on the next book in the Lets Talk! series called Lets Talk! Celebrating the Holidays. It is available November 1, 2023. The second book in the cat brothers series is going to come out sometime in 2024. Stay tuned for updates because that one is Snowball’s point of view.
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Tom – the Cat
Poetry holds a magic all its own. There is not a situation that cannot be conveyed through verse and be transformed into something more beautiful, more tragic, or even more humorous. The sonnet is no exception to this rule. The flow of a sonnet makes for a beautiful reading experience, no matter the topic. Elizabeth Reinach knows this and uses it to her advantage in Tom–the Cat: The Life and Work of Tom Cat in Sonnets. She covers a myriad of topics in this masterfully penned collection of sonnets centered on Tom the cat, the animals in his neighborhood, and the humans who know him best.
Tom–the Cat: The Life and Work of Tom Cat in Sonnets, by Elizabeth Reinach, is influenced by Shakespeare but only loosely. With each sonnet’s first line being the first line from a Shakespearean sonnet, Reinach sets the stage for a most interesting take on poetry and gives readers quite the realm to explore. Tom, the cat, serves as the focus of many of the sonnets. Still, Reinach has included a great blend of other characters to give readers a nice variety and increase the relatability of the writing.
The love for Tom the cat on the narrator’s part is evident. We don’t have any love equal to that love we feel for our pets, and Reinach communicates this very effectively. There are many different situations depicted, and each one shows Tom as quite the character, but they are always enveloped in tenderness. Sweet black and white illustrations pepper the text and add to the effectiveness of Reinach’s work and the feeling of genuine love.
When I read the introduction, I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about the Shakespearean aspect of the writing. In all honesty, I didn’t know how well it would work with the subject matter. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly Reinach combined a more modern sonnet with Shakespeare’s classic lines. It all comes together for a fantastic and engaging read.
Tom–the Cat: The Life and Work of Tom Cat in Sonnets will captivate various readers, animal lovers, poetry fans, and those who enjoy exploring new and different genres will enjoy Reinach’s work. This superb collection of poetry is a must-read for pet owners.
Pages: 51 | ASIN : B07VGD5SGQ
LITERARY TITAN 