This is the classic children's book,
Goodenough Gismo, by Richmond I. Kelsey, published in 1948. Nearly unavailable in libraries and the collector's market, it is posted here with love as an "orphan work" so that it may be seen and appreciated -- and perhaps even republished, as it deserves to be.
After you read this book, it won't surprise you to learn that Richmond Irwin Kelsey (1905-1987) was
an accomplished artist, or that as
Dick Kelsey, he was one of the great Disney art directors, breaking your heart with "Pinocchio," "Dumbo," and "Bambi."
That is totally excellent!
Do decreased litter costs offset increased toilet paper costs?
Posted by: jason | February 23, 2007 at 02:17 PM
All the data aren't in yet -- I'll let you know!
The thing is, he still is a cat, so he couldn't stop there. He gets carried away, unrolls half the TP roll onto the floor, and then lies down and disembowels it (grabs the mass of paper and kicks it with his hind claws). I'm now finding heaps of eviscerated paper under the rolls in both bathrooms. The real question is whether the amazement and laughs are worth the TP bills.
Posted by: amba | February 23, 2007 at 02:25 PM
You really should send this series to Cat Fancy.
Posted by: Randy (Internet Ronin) | February 23, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Worth every sheet. I'm in stitches!!!
Posted by: Sissy Willis | February 24, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Completely self-taught, Sissy.
Actually the sequence won't be complete until I photograph the pile of toilet paper on the floor.
The way he gets carried away and keeps unrolling it, revealing that he is, after all, a cat, reminds me of a cartoon in an old book called Max, by Giovannetti. Max was a chubby little woodchuck -- or was he a hamster? -- who enthusiastically experienced a series of wordless mishaps, usually, come to think of it, when trying to do the things people do. Here's an example.
Anyway, in my favorite, Max is preparing to play a violin. He places it under his chin, his nostrils flare with artistic emotion, he . . . wait, is he smelling the violin? Now he's licking it. Now he's eating it. Now it's gone.
Exactly like Buzzy and the toilet paper.
Posted by: amba | February 24, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Max is far more available than Gismo, so I've ordered it. When it arrives, I'll scan the page in question.
Posted by: amba | February 24, 2007 at 04:04 PM