Children’s Books

The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear (Kids Can Press, ISBN: 1-55337-828-8) tells a story about an owl and pussycat who wish to marry. They sail off together and, after a year and a day, come to a place where they buy a ring from a pig and are wedded by a turkey.

The Owl and the Pussycat has long been taught as a nonsense poem, but illustrator Stephane Jorisch brings new life and meaning to this well-loved poem. In the new interpretation, the owl is portrayed as a wealthy gentleman and the pussycat is shown as being from the "other side of the tracks." They fall in love and are forced to escape the prying, unapproving eyes of their rigid society so that they can be wed in a place that accepts them for who they are, without judgement.

Part of the Visions in Poetry series, The Owl and the Pussycat is a beautiful addition to a child's or adult's poetry collection. The hardbound book is illustrated throughout, letting Stephane Jorisch retell the story with his fascinating artwork.

The poem's new interpretation also lends itself well in classroom settings and can be used to open the door to discussing social norms, differences, and acceptance.