SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

Coming back to school is good, and Library Skills are fun? I could maybe give those a “yes” vote, and I know my second graders would.

Alex and I are both back on the job today. We have been proudly showing everyone the February issue of Cat Fancy Magazine, which features Alex in their article “Literary Felines…Meet 45 Library Cats.”

The article refers readers to an online article at www.catchannel.com/exclusives.

Part of the interview for the print story was answering a question about what books the library cat enjoyed, and the online article is “Library Cats and Their Favorite Books” and pictures Alex and nine other cats and their literary recommendations. We are all popping with pride!

My second graders were excited to see the articles. They held Alex up to see the print ones on our bulletin board and showed him the online version. They took pictures themselves with my cell phone. “Look this way, Alex. Hold him still, Ms. Loesch.”

A couple of headlocks later we had a picture. That earned us all a hiss and a rumble from Alex! He was not amused.

Our Library Skills lesson today was using the dictionary. We started with “cat” and “dog” and ended up at “resolution” and talked about what resolutions we all might make for the new year.

My students mentioned being good and not getting spankings, and not making any more D’s on math tests.

And what about Alex.

“Do you think he needs to make some New Year’s resolutions,” I asked.

They thought he should and came up with two. “Don’t hiss and rumble at us” was one. “Pray,” said another student. Pray for Big Footsie.” What a sweet thought.

I guess it really is good to be back.