Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Glamourpuss
Illustrator: David Small
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Scholastic, 2015 ISBN: 978-0545609548
Glamourpuss is a cat who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Highhorsen in their elegant, lavish mansion. Not having any children, the exceedingly wealthy couple gives Glamourpuss all their love and attention. They also give her everything a cat could possibly want, and more. Glamourpuss has her own room, a place at the dining table, a diamond necklace, servants who came running whenever she needs anything, and meals fit for a queen.
Glamourpuss has mastered the art of being sophisticated and refined; she knows how to make the best of her assets without compromising her standards. She also knows her station in life. She is at the top and everyone else is supposed to respect and admire her.
Then Mrs. Highhorsen’s sister, Eugenia, comes to visit and she brings her pet with her. Her pet, Bluebell, is a little dog. The fact that Bluebell is a canine who has a “tacky wardrobe” is bad enough, but then the dog begins to do little tricks, which, for some reason, the Highhorsen’s find delightful. It is a disgrace!
Glamourpuss does her best to put Bluebell in her place, but the dog with her little outfits and silly tricks keeps stealing the limelight. Eventually Glamourpuss, feeling very small and uncared for, slinks upstairs “to lick her wounds.”
In this delightfully amusing picture book the author sets us up, preparing us for what we think is going to happen next, only to whip the carpet out from under us. Glamourpuss discovers that all is not what it seems, and it is wonderful to see how she, and Bluebell, have the last word.
