Review from the "Daily Gleaner"

Jolicure Cats

By Lorrie Bell Hawkins

Illustrated by Dwight Kirkland

(Percheron Press)

Lorrie Bell Hawkins has written of her life-long love affair with cats in her new book Jolicure Cats about 14 of her feline friends.

As each delightful cat is introduced we experience the bond that goes beyond the basic animal lover. These stories, these mini-biographies, are glimpses into honest companionship told with love, humour and sadness that exemplify the individuality of cat personalities.

In the spring of 1969 the author's parents, Lorne and Joanne Bell, moved their family from Montreal to the small farming community Jolicure, N.B. A 17-year-old Lorrie was eager to explore country life and shared with her mother the hopes of getting a family pet, a cat.

Lorrie's father reluctantly consented and here begins the Jolicure Cats with the arrival of two active kittens, Alice and Lucy. Then came sweet Sydney, Molly who thought she was bird, stately Louie who slept in a frying pan, Sally the mothering cat, Alex the dog's companion, Elise the recluse, prickly Lily, telepathic Tigger, Fluffy, Joanne's last cat, Puss, Lorne's favourite, and wandering Smudge.

Each cat story, lovingly told, also examines the hardships of rural animals in terms of abandonment, neglect and often meeting tragic endings. There is also joy and in every story an expression of companionship.

The cats are truly brought to life with the lovely and realistic illustrations by Dwight Kirkland. And as each cat gets a special portrait, he has charmingly captured the individuality and special characteristics of each Jolicure cat featuring them with a special item or environment. Kirkland is a renowned illustrator specializing in wildlife as well as a successful mural artist.

At times the stories can be difficult yet heartwarming as the author explores the intense emotional connections to her cats and how they have effected other areas of her life.

Any animal lover, especially feline fans, will appreciate the tenderness and deep personal reflections on how each animal crept its way into the homes and heart of the author and her family.

- reviewed by GLORIA NICKERSON

For The Daily Gleaner