Houndsley and Catina at the Library

The high point of Bert's and Houndsley's week is their trip to the library together on Saturday morning with their friend Catina, followed by tea accompanied by Houndsley's delicious muffins and lots of new books to read. Part of the pleasure is being greeted by Trixie, the librarian, who always has a big smile, a book recommendation, and a new riddle for them, but not this week. Trixie was glum. So, after choosing their books and signing them out, the three friends, finding that Trixie had gone home early, go round by her house later to find out what the trouble is and why the library is closing. There they discover that, away from the library, Trixie is, in fact, happy, happy, happy! She's sorry to be leaving the library, but, because a replacement librarian couldn't be found, the library will have to close. Trixie wants to retire to take on new challenges by attending a circus school!

Next Friday rolled around, as the days are wont to do, and the friends set out with their "special" offerings: Houndsley has a selection of everyone's favourite muffins, Catina a wonderful circus costume that she had made specially for Trixie, and Bert -- well, Bert finally decides that the most special thing he can bring is himself! He volunteers to become the next librarian, if Trixie will give him a crash course on how to do it. New challenges for him, too, and the three friends can continue to have their Saturday morning treat; they just have it at the library!

This book is utterly charming! One of the posters in the library says, "Reading feeds the imagination", which is exactly what this story does, and the illustrations capture and expand on its essence. Marie-Louise Gay has won awards for her illustrations again and again; one only has to glance at the cover of Houndsley and Catina at the Library to recognize her inimitable style and delightful characterization. I am constantly amazed at her small touches that always ring true: Bert's stork wing holding a pen looks perfectly natural, Catina is always in motion so that her skirt flips up behind her accommodating her tail without its being drawn attention to. And Houndsley's muffins look, well, good enough to eat! Houndsley and Catina at the Library is a book for all ages. As a grandparent, I am only sorry that my youngest is now disdainful of such things as picture books, or even books with pictures, though the eldest is perhaps getting to the age where she can appreciate them again. Certainly I can.