I will fill in the childrens literature category.
One of my daughter and my favorites.
"The Cat And The Wizard"
Written by Dennis Lee, Illustrated by Gillian Johnson.
Designed by PETER MAHER! Likely not that one.
"A senior wizard of high degree,
with a special diploma in wizardry.
Is trudging along,
at the top of the street,
With a scowl on his face,
and a pain in his feet..."
"A beard, a bundle,
A right angle stoop,
And a hand-me-down coat,
Embroidered with soup,
A halo of smoke,
and a sputtery sound-
The only real magic
Magician around."
So it begins. It is the story of this magician that nobody in todays world wants or needs. He meets a cat who lives alone in a castle. A very lonely cat who sets out a fancy dinner every night for so many guests; and no one ever comes.
The wizard:
"But nobody nowadays
Welcomes a wizard:
They'll take in a spaniel,
Make room for a lizard-
But show them a conjurer
Still on the ball,
And nowbody wants him
Or needs him at all."
The Cat:
"...And every night,
At half past ten,
She climbs up to bed
By herself, again.
For a cat is a cat
In a castle or no,
And people are people
Wherever you go."
They meet, and of course happiness ensues.
I like that it is a poem; makes it a pleasure to read. No matter how often I must read it, I do not mind. It is so much better than, "Ola, my name is Dora." Argh.
Hope it gives my daughter an appreciation for poetry.