The festive season is now upon us. For those with young children in your family, you may want to check out the newly arrived children’s picture book at Cafe Books West, The Hundred Dollar Special: The Antics of a Rescue Cat.
Author Kathryn Bourdon, of Salmo, and Robson artist, Sandra Donohue, both former elementary school teachers, teamed up to collaborate in the production of this book.
Donohue’s watercolours beautifully illustrate the story of a family’s dilemma with mice which have invaded their farmhouse. Kathryn’s son Marc, of Quickdraw Publications, Squamish, B.C. published the book, and Friesens of Winnipeg, printed it. It is an entirely Canadian project.
Bourdon wanted to write her first book to be especially for her granddaughter, Elise, who is part of the story. She met Sandra, reviewed her work along with other Kootenay artists, and decided that her style was just what she was looking for.
Donohue claims she never seriously considered illustrating a book for it is a lot of work, and a huge responsibility when it is for someone else’s project.
However, she liked the story that Bourdon had written, thought it would be a good challenge for her, and had a feeling that she would like working with Bourdon.
She was right on all accounts:
“It was lots of work, it was challenging, and Kathryn turned out to be a great partner,” she said.
Central to the story is the SPCA rescue cat, Jewel, which the family acquired in the hopes that she would rid the house of mice.
However, when she arrived their troubles really began. Eventually she got the idea and performed her job but in a most unusual way.
Everything in this story really happened. The pictures will delight children and people of all ages although the book is geared for 3 - 8 year olds.
The book is available in several locations in the Kootenays: at Cafe Books West in Rossland, Otter Books in Nelson, Artisan Craft Cooperative in Trail, the Kootenay Gallery, The Book Shop, and The Gift Box, all in Castlegar, and People’s Drug Mart and the library in Salmo.
There will be two more book signings and readings on Dec. 1 at the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar at 1 p.m., and on Dec. 8 at Cafe Books West at 10 a.m.