(2003) by Stephen Michael King
I find books in all sorts of ways – recommendations from websites, deep-diving favorite authors, displayed books at the library. But I love when I remember how I came upon certain books and my personal history of discovering some of my favorites.
This one came to me in a shipment of cloth diapers. My sister’s friend (the only other cloth-diapering mama I knew at the time) sent me a box of diapers that her kids had outgrown. And included in the box was this book and a note. She told me this picture book reminded her of me and that she thought I’d enjoy it.
In Milli, Jack, and the Dancing Cat, Milli lives in an ordinary town with an ordinary job at the ordinary shoe shop. She and the townspeople dress in ordinary clothes. But, secretly, Milli is an imaginative, vibrant creator. She upcycles old, forgotten items and turns them into beautiful art. She is much too nervous to share these with the rest of the world though.
When Jack and the Dancing Cat wander into town, they figure it’s the same as so many of the towns they’ve seen before. But once they connect with Milli, these three inspire each other. They dance and laugh and have fun. Milli loves the free and empowering feeling she gets while dancing. And she realizes it’s finally time to show the world who she is and what she can do.
Milli sets to work creating art sculptures, sewing colorful clothes, and making new instruments. At last, she presents herself and her art to the town, and we see how it changes those around her. She sends Jack and the Dancing Cat off to their next town surrounded by the colorful, imaginative gifts she has made for them. Her creations will continue to spread to so many people.
I was so moved by this story when I first read it those many years ago, and I was so touched that this book had reminded my sister’s friend of me. Yes! I related to Milli in SO many ways, especially in those early years of parenting when my creative dreams seemed to pile up, and I felt too self-conscious to share them with the world.
I feel myself slowly stepping out of that doubt and fear now. Even though nobody is on the other end of it yet, I’m flexing my courage muscles and sharing what I have to say.
Milli, Jack, and the Dancing Cat is full of whimsy and art and dance. The powerful, follow-your-heart message is beautifully told. I’m looking forward to tracking down more books by Stephen Michael King.
Author/Illustrator
Stephen Michael King’s website
Interview with Stephen Michael King