Carol Jean Fitz-Gibbon Showalter

Comment from Wisconsin State Journal
 

Book Club: Mockingbird reflections
August 10, 2014 7:30 am  •  By Jeanne Kolker | Wisconsin State Journal

Read more from WSJ article: http://host.madison.com/entertainment/arts_and_theatre/books/book-club-mockingbird-reflections/article_3252a2c2-4a3b-553e-8b0f-8949c0374c35.html#ixzz3A7btdSZZ

Comment below by Carol Showalter

Gregory Peck, Mary Badham

Associated Press archives

Gregory Peck, as Atticus Finch, embraces Mary Badham as Scout in the 1962 movie “To Kill a Mockingbird."

Characters become companions

The naming started with the cutest, sweetest, most lovable kitty ever. We were considering getting a pet, especially for our son. Brady had a friend with an available kitten so we went to check it out, making sure Brady knew we were just looking. But the loving little tabby with four white paws couldn’t have endeared herself more. Brady stuck to the plan and said we’d think it over. His parents crumbled; she was perfect! But what name befits something perfect? Well, who’s the most perfect girl ever? Scout! Named.

That began the parade of family pet names stolen from the Finch household: Atticus, a strong, quiet cat; Boo, a gorgeous black cat; Jean Louise, a sweet pal of Boo’s; Calpurnia, a friendly rescue dog. They keep that often-read book in our thoughts. Our kids, and now the grandkids, know the characters.

Scout, Atticus, Jem, Dill, Calpurnia and all of Harper Lee’s noble characters have been wonderful friends and inspirations to us through the years.

— Carol Showalter, Wisconsin Dells