SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

Another rainy day. A good day to read and think.

One of my students reads to Alex from Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse, by Judith B. Schachner. It’s about a Siamese cat who imagines himself a Chihuahua.

Everyone knows
From my big ears to my toes,
I’m not a Siamese cat.
I’m Skippyjonjones,
A Chihuahua to my bones.
And that’s what I think about that.

“Why,” Alex wonders, “would a CAT ever want to be a DOG?

“And why, oh why, would my mom even consider a witch costume for me for Halloween? I’m a BOY! A warlock, maybe, but, please, not a witch.”

Alex is relieved that the witch costume joined the stack of others not chosen.