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TWO PERFECTLY MARVELLOUS CATS

Name: TWO PERFECTLY MARVELLOUS CATS
Author: Rosamond M. Young
ISBN: 1-880158-12-4

A TRUE STORY

by Rosamond M. Young ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1996

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A charming tale of two British feline war heroes, and of the many people whose lives they touched. Young's (Cat, Thy Name is Edith, not reviewed) first story concerns a homeless cat who was taken in by an animal-loving priest at St. Augustine and St. Faith Church in mid1930s London. From her first day of residence, the grateful little gray-and-white waif, named Faith, attended services regularly, sitting at the feet of Father Henry Ross, a firm believer that cats, too, ``can have religion.'' Over the years Faith endeared herself to the church's many parishioners. In 1940, shortly after Faith gave birth, the church was bombed and badly damaged. Father Ross found Faith in the church's rubble-filled basement, huddled protectively over a kitten. For her bravery, Faith was awarded a special civilian version of the Dickin Medal, an honor usually bestowed on animals showing unusual bravery while serving England's armed forces. Also awarded such a medal was Simon, a cat who lived with the captain of the British warship Amethyst. When the ship was attacked in 1949 while sailing the Yangtze River in China, the captain was killed and Simon was badly injured. The ship was grounded for months, but the still-limping Simon helped save the much-needed food supplies by returning to his mousing duties with a vengeance—this despite the almost unbearable heat below deck. He also kept up the morale of the soldiers and regularly visited the wounded in sick bay. Months later, when the ship returned to safe harbor, Simon's heroism was widely acknowledged, but, sadly, he died before the Dickin medal could be bestowed. Two perfectly lovely stories, padded a bit to fill up a slim, but nonetheless sweet, volume. (photos, not seen)

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1996

ISBN: 1-880158-12-4

Page Count: 176

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996

ISBN: 0-15-100227-4

Page Count: 136

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.