SUSAN LOESCH

For our last field trip of the summer, Shadow and I planned something which was sure to get us in the mood for school. We went to WordsWorth Books in Pulaski Heights to pick out a book for our first story hours of the year.

WordsWorth is Little Rock’s largest independent bookstore. In addition to the latest bestsellers, they carry many first editions and local-interest books. We also found calendars, candles, soaps, note cards, games and puzzles. I have always loved going in this store because it has such a cozy, almost old-fashioned feel.

We were welcomed by owner Jean Cazort. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

From time to time, one of my students will ask me who my oldest cat is, and the answer is Lucky, who is almost 17 years old.

He was trapped as a 3-month old feral kitten, along with his brother, Star and his sister, Juli. Lucky is the only survivor now. I think the kids are always amazed to hear about a cat that is as old as they are, or older.

“When are you bringing Lucky?” is a question I have heard over and over. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

Sometimes it is good to sit back and just listen to what my students have to say. Markissha was one of my sixth graders this year, but she and I go back a long way, to when she was a little kindergartner. She is often quiet, but when she speaks she has a lot to say.

It is Markissha who designed the Accelerated Reader t-shirt last year, the one with the caption “Big Footsie says, ‘AR is Purrr-fect!’” And it was Markissha who reminded us all many times this year, when we had one of the new library cats here, “But, remember, we can’t ever replace Big Footsie.”

It is Markissha who is providing our Cats in the Stacks today. Her class created a Middle School Newspaper, and this was her article. (more…)