Best Christmas Movie/Book Ever

While in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1944, Valentine Davies (1905-1961) wrote the story from which director George Seaton (1911-1979) wrote the screenplay for the movie Miracle on 34th Street (1947).  Davies was discouraged by the rampant commercialism that had invaded the Christmas holiday season, and so he wondered what the real Santa Claus would say if he were to walk into a modern American department store after Thanksgiving.  So he created this wonderful fictional tale of Kris Kringle, who lived in a senior citizens community home on Long Island but became the store Santa at Macy's Department Store on West 34th Street in Manhattan.

Following development of the movie, Davies wrote a novelization based upon the screenplay (and also elements from his original story).  The book is as good as the movie, and we have it available to checkout from our Evergreen Indiana catalog.  Our book trailer summarizes the plot.

MPL Book Trailer #233
Miracle on 34th Street, by Valentine Davies

Davies received the 1948 Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story, while Seaton garnered Best Adapted Screenplay.  Edmund Gwenn, who played Kris Kringle in the movie, captured the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

The movie was remade in 1994, and I'm sure it was fine.  My minions said it was okay.  We're not big fans of remakes, but that's no reason not to watch it, if you want.

Treat yourselves to this wonderful book and the movie, too, which is also available in our Evergreen Indiana catalog.  There's a colorized version (2006), but it's better in the original black-and-white.  See if you can find a copy of the original.

I love this movie and book.  Okay, minions, time to read to moi, then we'll watch the film.  Snacks, sooner than later, minions.  Just saying.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Here's a clip from the original 1947 movie in which Kris Kringle explains that Christmas isn't just a day; it's a frame of mind.  What a wonderful philosophy!

Broadway Gal's Hoosier Literary Map

Broadway Gal, who used to be director of youth services at my Library, but is now the director of the Indiana Center for the Book, as well as supervisor of the Professional Development Office at the Indiana State Library, spearheaded the ICB's 2016 Indiana Literary Map project, which is available online--free for the clicking.

You Know Where to Click

The map is part of the state's bicentennial project, and so it features 200 top Hoosier authors (for two centuries of Hoosier statehood).  It's great for readers interested in Indiana authors, or for teachers looking for Hoosier reading assignments for their students.

We have a few copies of the map in our Indiana Room Roving Reporter Room.  Drop by to pick-up yours (while supplies last).  Or look at it online.  It's your call.

I noticed that they omitted moi from the map, but that's okay.  I'm guessing only human authors were eligible.  Maybe someday someone will create a famous Hoosier kitty map. Perhaps I'd be included.  It would be an honor.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Take a look at our Broadway Gal video playlist on the Library's YouTube Channel.

Goodbye, Tober

Tober, Boss Cat at Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library, has passed over.  I am so sad I can hardly lift my paws to type this.

Tober

Tober posted his farewell blog.  All of his previous postings will be kept active for his many fans to enjoy.

Tober came to Thorntown Public Library on October 19, 2008, and he immediately took charge, as we felines should do.  Humans need our supervision and direction, after all.  He had a terrific forever home there, and he made many lifelong friends among staff and patrons.

Tober was (and will continue to be) a world-famous library cat.  He appeared on the cover of the 2014 Baker & Taylor cat calendar.  Hundreds of thousands of humans followed his blog posts.

Tober, calendar cover kitty

Tober's blog has a worldwide audience, with over 180,000 viewings (new count), which, when added to a previous blog count (approximately 175,000), meant that his blog posts have been viewed over 355,000 times.  That's more than my blog, folks.

Tober was the inspiration behind a 2011 Indiana Library Federation (ILF) workshop about library critters being outstanding marketing tools for libraries (especially public libraries). Had it not been for Tober, that workshop would never have happened.

In 2012 my minions made a special trip to visit Tober on his Finding Day (October 19), about which I blogged here.

There are many wonderful library cats throughout the world, but none made a bigger impression on his library patrons and colleagues than Tober.  He was an exceptional goodwill ambassador for Thorntown Public Library, bringing good cheer and happiness to thousands of visitors.  He set the standard for what exceptional library service should be. His friends will truly miss his happy purr, gentle headbutts, and charming personality.

Although we are crying as we type this, we know that Tober is among friends as he has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  The Summerland is a wonderful place for kitties to be with other departed pals, and we know that, when our time arrives to cross-over, we will see him again and romp together.  Those will surely be good times.

For now, we remember Tober as he would have wanted.  He brought sunshine into our lives and made life better everyday for everyone who knew him.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  We reprise our promo trailer celebrating Tober Finding Day, October 19 (2012).

P.P.S.  Here's our Tober promo trailer with an alternate soundtrack (2012).

P.P.P.S.  2016 Update:  Peaches & Paprika created a touching, beautifully rendered video tribute to our loving feline friends, including Tober, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2015.  My human friends should grab the tissues--there will be tears--but the love that remains in our hearts will reach our departed pals in their new heavenly homes.  Visit the Peaches & Paprika YouTube Channel for more videos, and also peruse their blog.

Listen to the Moon

One of my Library's recently cataloged children's chapter books is Listen to the Moon, a novel by Michael Morpurgo, who also wrote War Horse.  Learn more on the author's website.

Naturally, we have a book trailer.

MPL Book Trailer #229

Young readers aged 9-12 and early teens should find this an enjoyable read.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Redheads Should Celebrate, For Sure

Today (November 5) is National Love Your Red Hair Day.  You can look it up.  Here, too.  The Lady With the Red Hair, who is head of Technical Services at Greenwood (Indiana) Public Library, and volunteers (and offers craft programs) at my Library, should definitely celebrate.  So should Tober, Boss Kitty at Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library.  As always, click the photos to bigify.

The Lady With the Red Hair with Tober,

Boss Cat at Thorntown (Indiana) Public Library

(on Tober Finding Day, October 19, 2012)

Miss Susan, Communications Director for

Mooresville (Indiana) Consolidated School Corporation

(I call her "The Talk of the Town")

I, of course, have black hair (humans call it fur), but I know many feline red-hairs.  "Fur" instance, there's Tober (see above), as well as Biscuit, one of my home pals, and Oliver, children's catbrarian at Clinton (Indiana) Public Library.  Don't forget Porter C. Bibliocat at Anna Porter Public Library in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Biscuit, commander of Feline Enforcers XIV (right),
with Harley Quinn, MPL feline "cub" reporter

Tober made the cover of the 2014 Baker & Taylor cat calendar

Oliver, Children's Catbrarian at Clinton (Indiana) Public Library

Porter C. Bibliocat

Advertisers recognize the selling power of redheads, especially when combined.

Two is better than one

Naturally, this excludes unnatural kitty redhairs, such as this faux-red-furred feline.

You're not fooling anybody, I hope you know

How should redheads celebrate today?  For the humans, chocolate is always good.  For us felines, some kitty treats or my personal favorite, canned tuna-in-oil, unless your V-E-T has restricted your diet to exclude tuna products.

Then there are the big celebrations where redheads congregate and have great fun.

Courtesy of Ginger Parrot website

Courtesy of Cosmopolitan (Hearst Magazines UK) website

Maybe your favorite library should put up a book display featuring redheads, including, of course, Clifford the Big Red Slobberdog, created by Norman Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana.

Natural or artificial color?

If that's not Clifford's natural hair color, I certainly won't be telling him.  Who needs a gigantic slobberdog angry at moi?

Enjoy your day, redheads!  You rock!

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat