Pawsing for thought

With the festive season over and people’s thoughts turning to resolutions and all things new, spare a thought for our four legged companions who may also have put on a few pounds. Even so, despite this we are a nation of animal lovers, with many of us owning a pet, or knowing someone who does.

Pets are a constant in many people’s lives providing comfort and companionship through times of hardship and times of joy. Nowhere is this more poignant than in James Bowen’s book “A Street Cat named Bob”, a tale of a street musician and his fateful meeting with a large ginger cat who turned his life around.

Pets and animals are a popular choice in fiction, with many of the nation’s favourites including twitching whiskers and wagging tales. To name a few:  The One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann or Watership Down by Richard Adams.

From an early age animals play an important role in our development and understanding of the world. Whether it’s singing “Old MacDonald” at one of our rhyme time sessions, or listening to a story about Peppa Pig at our story times in libraries across the county, animals are a vital and important part of each session that we deliver.

Some of the best known and loved children’s books feature animals in some way. Would there be a Famous Five without Timmy the dog? Or would Christopher Robin have had quite so many adventures if it wasn’t for a certain Winnie the Pooh?

If you want some top tips on how to pamper your pooch, maybe a book on dog grooming is in order. Or if you are really stuck for what pet to get there are lots of helpful guides and information to be found in the library.

All titles discussed are available to borrow from Kent Libraries