Showcase with review: Homer the Little Stray Cat by Pamela Laskin, Kirsi Tuomanen Hill (Illustrations), Chad McClung (Design)

A precocious street cat recovers from an accident with a bike and discovers something in the process, a loving family.

A heart warming story about a boy and a stray cat. Homer the Little Stray Cat is about an unlikely pair and how when you open your heart (and home) you find just what you need. 3.5 stars

About the author: I love poems and poems love me. Everything I write includes poetry, and HOMER THE SCRAWNY CAT (Little Balloon Press) is no exception. Meanwhile, practical Pam is a lecturer in the English Department at The City College, where I direct The Poetry Outreach Center. Several of my poetry books have been published, most recently THE PLAGIARIST(Dos Madres Press) and THE BONSAI CURATOR(Cervena Barva Press). Diversion Press published VISITATION RITES in 2012, an expansion of a young adult short story originally published in SASSY magazine. Published children's books include: A WISH UPON A STAR(Magination Press); HISTORICAL HEROIC HORSES (McGraw-Hill); MUSIC FROM THE HEART (Bantam) and THE BURIED TREASURE(McGraw-Hill). A memoir, MY LIFE IN SHOES came out in 2011(World Audience Press). I have edited two anthologies: THE HEROIC YOUNG WOMAN (Clique Calm Books) and LIFE ON THE MOON: MY BEST FRIEND'S SECRETS, a collection of contemporary young adult short fiction (Linus Publications). I am currently at work on a young adult novel in verse, a Palestinian/ Israeli ROMEO and JULIET, RONIT and Jamil. In my next life I will be a water aerobics instructor, since I love to swim. First review

Q.  What inspires your writing? 

  

A. See EVERYTHING inspires my writing-the sights, sounds and people I see. I am very inspired by issues surrounding me. As a NYC urban writer, poverty, educational issues, homelessness are rampant, and I feel I - even as a children's book author - have the ability to create stores where I demand that things can be different! 

  

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an writer? 

  

A. I love my quirky point of view and that I have, at my disposal, the gift of language with which to express this point of view.

  

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an writer? 

  

A. Editing a completed manuscript can be very tough, but I accept this as part of the process. What is frustrating is once a book has been published, marketing the book is very tough, and I have to do so much work with very little time!

  

Q.    If you could not be writer, what would you do/be? 

  

A. I am not making much money as a writer, so I am a university professor and I run a Poetry Outreach Center where I work, The City College. In this way, I feel very blessed, since I am teaching Children's Writing and Literature.

  

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled? 

  

A. I wrote one-a short memoir that was published-MY LIFE IN SHOES. I love shoes, and I have several different shoe stories from different times in my life.

  

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time? 

  

A. GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens and WOMEN IN LOVE by D .H. Lawrence. And my favorite children's book is THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS by Katherine Paterson.

  

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like? 

  

A. I am all the fairy godmothers in every single fairy tale because I love the concept of rescue. I want to do the rescuing, and not be rescued. I love Babi Yar from Vasilisa, the tale, because she us a savior, but also a witch. I love the witch in me, too!

  

Q.    What character from all of   your   book are you most like? 

  

A. I am most like HOMER from HOMER book: tenacious, adventurous, a little scrappy, but also someone who wants to be rooted.

  

Q.    Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of? 

  

A. BABETTE'S FEAST by Isak Dinesen

Q.  What do you want to be remembered for 100 years from now? 

A. For helping my students and being generous with love, particularly for my family!

  

Q.  What is your favorite season? 

  

A. Spring

  

Q.    What inspired your book cover(s)?    Or what is your favorite book cover and why? 

  

A. Brooklyn inspired my book cover and I love all the illustrated covers of Patricia Polacco's books.

  

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book. 

  

A. Just today a little three year old in a nursery school told me he wants to be just like me and write lots of books, and he is certain that he will!

  

Q.  Are you working on something new? 

  

A.  I am working on a Palestinian/Israeli ROMEO AND JULIET for teens, RONIT AND JAMIL.

  

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by? 

  

A.  Spread the pollen of your words everywhere, and make certain they are filled with joy!