Journal Entry 1 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, November 09, 2003

This is an exquisite little book, beautifully illustrated by P. J. Lynch, telling the tale of the tiny cat Catkin. When the Lord and Lady of the fair folk steal the family's infant daughter away, Catkin seeks them out and tries to win the child's freedom... The whole tale has the rhythm and feel of traditional folklore, including the changeling element and a riddle game; the illustrations are simply gorgeous, and add to the level of emotion. [I sniffle a lot at this one - not in a bad way, mind!]

If you like cats and/or tales of Faerie, you should hunt up a copy of this...

Mouse hunter,
Closer than friend,
Wind dancer
at the bough's end. 

Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Monday, November 17, 2003

Hurrah! I've found a release copy (ex-library hardcover in quite decent shape) of this book, and thought I'd offer it for a bookray. [The book's in print in a reasonably inexpensive paperback edition as well - I mention this because I'm pretty sure that lots of you cat and/or Faerie fans will want a copy of your own. The bookstore links under the book info should point to that edition, just in case you're interested! {grin}]

When you receive the book, please journal it and PM the next in line for their address; read it reasonably promptly (at least it's a short book!); journal again when you've finished, and send it on its way. Hope you all enjoy it!

Participants, in mailing order:

thescreaming (MD)
Lizabeth86 (CT)
shaunesay (KS)
SalDragski (TX)
Eskielover (WA)
midwinter (AZ)
oldreader (CA)
geniedances (TX)
cytronella (TX)
adrienne10 (NE)
allysther (HI)
[removed by request] solimano (Italy)
talkland (UK)
mylene (Netherlands)
prplpec (GA)
caligula03 (CA)
 

Journal Entry 3 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, November 20, 2003

Controlled release:

I'm sending this to BCer thescreaming, in Maryland, to kick off the bookray. Hope you enjoy "Catkin"! 

Journal Entry 4 by thescreaming from Cumberland, Maryland USA on Monday, November 24, 2003

This came in the mail today. I'm sure I'll have it read by tomorrow so I'll be able to get it out by the end of the week. Thanks GoryDetails!

11/25 - This story was really cute. If I get up the courage, I may try to find a copy this weekend to give my cousin for her fifth birthday. My cats kept bugging me while I was reading it, and wouldn't calm down until I read it out loud!

Will be sending out to Lizabeth86 tomorrow or Friday. 

Journal Entry 5 by Lizabeth86 from Middletown, Connecticut USA on Friday, December 05, 2003

Received in the mail today - just in time for my (no doubt) snowbound weekend. Expecting about 8-12 inches. This will be great to read while cuddling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and watching the snow come down. 

Journal Entry 6 by Lizabeth86 from Middletown, Connecticut USA on Tuesday, December 09, 2003

I LOVED this book. The illustrations alone are worth the read. I totally enjoyed the story and infact read it a second time. I think I may try and find this book to purchase and add to my personal book collection. I will be sending this out to Shaunesay within the next few days. Gorydetails - thanks so much for sharing this beautiful book with us.

12/10/03 - mailed out to Shaunesay today. 

Journal Entry 7 by shaunesay from Olathe, Kansas USA on Monday, December 15, 2003

Just received, and am excited to read it! It looks so adorable! Will post again when I'm done! 

Journal Entry 8 by shaunesay from Olathe, Kansas USA on Wednesday, December 17, 2003

I just read this with my cat Fergus! He of course claims that he too could have gotten the riddles, but that he would not have chased the butterfly in the first place (uh-huh, sure!) This book is so sweet Gorydetails, thank you so much for sharing it, I will definitely have to look for one to add to my personal collection!

I will be mailing it out to SalDragski on Sat. 12/20/03

Farewell little Catkin! 

Journal Entry 9 by SalDragski from San Antonio, Texas USA on Friday, December 26, 2003

Received and read today, 26 December 03. A cute, illustrated book.  

Journal Entry 10 by Eskielover from Olympia, Washington USA on Monday, January 05, 2004

Journal Entry 11 by Eskielover from Olympia, Washington USA on Wednesday, January 14, 2004

I really enjoyed this little book. i shared it with my ganddaughters, and they thought Catkin was very brave and very smart. This will go in the mail tomorrow to midwinter 

Journal Entry 12 by Eskielover from Olympia, Washington USA on Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Journal Entry 13 by midwinter from Tucson, Arizona USA on Saturday, January 24, 2004

I'm a huge fan of children's books, and this is one of the best I've ever read. The story is enchanting, but the beautiful watercolor illustrations really take the prize. As a cat lover, I was impressed with the illustrator's skill at capturing the nuances of cat expressions. Little Catkin is lifelike enough to jump right off the page. This book is right up there with The Patchwork Cat and Heggedy Peg for gorgeous artwork. So glad to have crossed paths with Catkin!!

Off to oldreader next... 

Journal Entry 14 by oldreader from Citrus Heights, California USA on Tuesday, February 03, 2004

received today. 

Journal Entry 15 by oldreader from Citrus Heights, California USA on Tuesday, February 03, 2004

do not often rate books a 10.I will be on the lookout for a copy for myself.thanks gory for sharing.This is definitely a keeper.The story and the pictures are exceptional.This will make a great collector's item for use with future grandkids.on the way to geniedances by end of week. 

Journal Entry 16 by geniedances from Houston, Texas USA on Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Book arrived today and I read it this afternoon. Its a delightful little book. I enjoyed the story and the illustrations are beautiful! I am contacting the next person on the list and will mail it as soon as I get the snail mail addy. 

Journal Entry 17 by cytronella from Plantersville, Texas USA on Friday, February 13, 2004

Arrived today, and looks great! I'll post again after I've enjoyed it! Thanks, all and especially Gory! 

Journal Entry 18 by cytronella from Plantersville, Texas USA on Friday, February 27, 2004

Oh my gosh, I didn't mean to keep this book for two weeks, but it is so pretty I kept it to share with the story time kids at my local library . . . I read to them once a month! The kids all liked the story and had fun finding the fairy folk hidden in a few of the illustrations! Thanks Gory, from me and the storytime kiddies, too!

off it goes to Adrienne10! 

Journal Entry 19 by adrienne10 from Seattle, Washington USA on Tuesday, March 02, 2004

This is an absolutely gorgeous book! I can't wait to read through it and read it to my children. Thanks for this bookring!

Edit 3/8
This is just a beautiful book. So much so that I am looking for one to add to our collection. We have a cute little orange cat, so when reading it to the kids, we substituted his name "Jam" for some of it. The 4 year old thought that was funny, although it changed the story a bit. I will be sending it onto allysther soon.

 

Journal Entry 20 by adrienne10 at USPS in Bookring, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Thursday, March 18, 2004

Release planned for Friday, March 19, 2004 at USPS in Bookring, postal release USA.

I am so very sorry about the delay in sending this on. There is absolutely no excuse. Life got away from me and since I am sending to HI, wanted to be sure I posted it from the post office and not my mailbox. Again, I apologize to allysther, who is next, and all the bookring participants who are waiting for this extraordinarily lovely book. 

Journal Entry 21 by allysther from Waipahu, Hawaii USA on Friday, March 26, 2004

Came in the mail today. It is beautiful. Can't wait to read it, thanks. 

Journal Entry 22 by allysther from Waipahu, Hawaii USA on Tuesday, April 06, 2004

A wonderful book. The illustrations are so sweet, and the text is simple and sweet. I read this opne to my son, who had a great time looking at the pictures.

Thank you so much for introducing me to this book. It is on it's way to Talkland. 

Journal Entry 23 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 13, 2004

What a lovely little story and the illustrations were beautiful too. I love cats so I really enjoyed this tale for children. 

Journal Entry 24 by talkland at on Sunday, April 18, 2004

Released on Sunday, April 18, 2004 at the post office in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, in Controlled Releases.

Sending this on to Mylene 

Journal Entry 25 by mylene from Nederweert, Limburg Netherlands on Saturday, April 24, 2004

Book has arrived - thanks talkland and GoryDetails.... Will try to finish it this weekend... 

Journal Entry 26 by prplpec from Kennesaw, Georgia USA on Thursday, June 03, 2004

Received in mail today. The top left corner of the package was slightly damaged, and the bottom right corner of the book was roughed up a tiny bit.
I'm leaving for Ireland tomorrow for a week, so I'll read this when I get home. I can't wait--the previous journal entries make it sound really good. 

Journal Entry 27 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Saturday, June 19, 2004

Catkin came today and since it is so short I read it immediately. The watercolors by P.J Lynch compliment Antonia Barber's story. Catkin tells the story of a brave runt of a litter who finds a loving home with a farmer, his wife and their daughter. When the daughter is kidnapped by the fair folk of the hill the little cat proves himself by bravely and cunningly rescuing the little girl, Carrie.

I'm delighted that I'm the last on the list. This will give me time to slowly introduce this book into my son's regular set of books. He's still a little young to sit through this long of a book but I know that in a few months when he's older, he'll love this book. He loves cats and books and especially books about cats! 

Journal Entry 28 by caligula03 at Meet-up Meeting, Starbucks in Dublin, California USA on Thursday, July 14, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (8/9/2005 UTC) at Meet-up Meeting, Starbucks in Dublin, California USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Taking to the August meeting.