Reflect on This

In 1886 Mrs. T. H. James translated into English a Japanese folktale called The Matsuyama Mirror, which she published along with illustrations by Eitaku (1843-1890) [Tokyo : Kobunsha (Nihonbashi-ku)].  We found a free digital copy on Archive.org, but it's more fun to follow along with Scowl-Face as he reads the book aloud in the following video.

The Matsuyama Mirror, told by Mrs. T. H. James

(MPL Readaloud)

Okay, maybe listening to Scowl-Face read aloud isn't more fun, but you (or your young readers in your family) may read the text on the screen as Ol' Scowlly drones on and on.  It will definitely improve young reading skills, as well as enhance one's endurance to boredom.

What interested Scowl-Face in making this video was the music soundtrack composed specifically about this folk story by the library's composer, whom I call the Music Man.  His composition is called "The Mirror of Matsuyama," included in a series of compositions called Solo Koto.  You can listen (and see sheet music) here.

The story itself is a tribute to love and family remembrance.  The mirror reflects more than the person (or feline) looking into it.  That's something to reflect on, in and of itself.

My library has other readaloud videos available to watch.  They're well worth a look.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

An Angel Kitty Flies

My library has recently completed a book trailer featuring a wonderful children's picture book called Angel in Beijing, by Belle Yang (Sommerville, MA :  Candlewick Press, 2018).

Angel in Beijing, by Belle Yang

(MPL Book Trailer #447)

Through most of the book, the white cat is named "Kitty," but by the end, her name is Angel, because, as it turns out, she can actually fly (with the help of a huge kite).  I became quite distressed when the little girl couldn't find Kitty after she disappeared over some trees holding onto the kite's tail (Kitty, not the little girl).  But all ends well.  This book showcases the beauty of Beijing in delightful drawings, and the story shows how love and kindness are best when shared.

Checkout the book from our Evergreen Indiana catalog to read to your young human(s).  If you don't have a library card, you could always buy a copy from your favorite bookseller.  We felines (and slobberdogs) will enjoy the readaloud, too.  But don't read to kittens--they're too scatterbrained to pay proper attention.  If you know Harley Quinn, my "cub" kitty reporter, you'll know what I mean.

The Lady With the Red Hair Tries to Read to Harley Quinn

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Local History Puzzles Ol' Scowlly

Anthony Woodside wrote a nice article in the Mooresville-Decatur Times (Wednesday, June 27, 2018, pages A1-A2) about the library's local history quizzes on Facebook and Twitter. I bet Scowl-Face hurt his back taking all those bows.

Besides hogging the front page of our local newspaper, Scowl-Face has blogged (of course he has) about using social media (particularly Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) to promote local history.

For moi, local history is largely a matter of remembering where and from whom I can get extra free meals and how often those meals will be served.  My library's people patrons, however, seem to really enjoy reminiscing about the way things used to be.  They call that nostalgia.  As long as it doesn't interfere with my din-dins, I'm okay with that.

Boss Lady will probably need to hire more staff just to carry around Scowl-Face's swelled head.  Honestly, how he gets that thing through doorways is a minor miracle.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Want to watch some of the library's local history videos?  Sure you do.  Click the player above to start.

The Couturier Kid Hits the Big Time

My library's Miss Catherine, whom I'm now calling the Couturier Kid, has hit the big time.  She served as a costumer in the movie Submerge: Echo 51 (2017), written and directed by Demetrius Witherspoon.  She made the front page of our local newspaper, as you can see here.  There's more to see below, if you click the photo (to bigify).

The Couturier Kid works on costuming during

shooting of the movie Submerge: Echo 51

There's a movie trailer that will give you a sneak peek.  You can also watch Red Carpet Interviews recorded at the premiere (June 26, 2017).

Submerge: Echo 51 TV Spot (2016)

Want to watch the movie?  Thanks to my library, you can checkout a copy, if you have an Evergreen Indiana library card.  The film has gotten high ratings (4.8 out of 5 stars) from reviewers.  Learn more about the movie and the creative folks behind it by visiting the DV Entertainment Pictures website and Facebook page.

That's a pretty fine gig, I'll venture.  It must have been plenty exciting to have worked in a motion picture production.  Maybe she will drop my name if any of her future cinema projects need to hire a cat to play a role (lead, I'm thinking).  Central casting, you know where to reach moi.

If any of Miss Catherine's upcoming movies need a music soundtrack, I know a composer who has a master's certificate in movie and television music soundtrack scoring from Berklee College of Music.  He composes original music for my library's YouTube videos.  He's on Facebook, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud.  Some of his compositions have been performed publicly in the United States and Europe, and some have been recorded by various European musicians.  If you need music for your film or TV show, he's your dude.

Congratulations (or, as Summer would say, Concatulations) to the Couturier Kid for her success.  I see a great new career blossoming for her, and I'm never wrong.  (Mistakes are for minions.)  Once she's a famous Hollywood designer, I hope she remembers all the "little people" (and their felines) back at the library.  They can play extras, you know.  I see them standing around talking all the time (joke!).

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Not Such Bad Cats, I'll Venture

This week a charming new children's picture book arrived at my library.  I think that title's misleading, however.  Those seven cats were never so bad!  At least, not from their point of view.

Seven Bad Cats, by Moe Bonneau

(MPL Book Trailer #435)

The book's available to checkout from our Evergreen Indiana catalog.  It is a wonderful readaloud that human kids (and cats) will enjoy.  The book is written in rhyme, so that's how we did the book trailer.

Remember, cats having fun are never bad.  That's our story, and we're sticking to it!

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat