Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble

Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble by Judy Schachner    32 pages

I was intrigued by the title of this book, so, I had to read it.     It seems Skippyjon is a Siamese cat who is friends with a bunch of chihuahuas that like to go on (imaginary play) adventures.   In this particular adventure they go to the underworld of ancient Egypt.   The stories and songs are all told in rhyme and the books come with a CD that Judy Schachner narrates.   Kids will also get a little Spanish taught to them as the chihuahuas speak a mixture of Spanish and English and put Spanish inflection on some of the English words.  (Mummito for Mummy, etc.)   Very cute and very fun.  There is a whole series of Skippyjon Jones books.   Turns out Judy's Siamese cat is named Skippy so its a short jump to where she came up with the star's name.    I would recommend the series to all children and anyone who enjoys reading juvenile literature.  Very cute.

Cats for Dummies

Cats for Dummies by Gina Spadafori,  Lauren Demos and Paul D. Dion   400 pages

This book is filled with so much good information on cats, how to care for them, how to interpret their behavior, signs to look out for to keep them well and help them when you see these signs because they show that your cat needs help health-wise.   They teach you about a cat's body language,  they teach you what your cat needs to be fed - please be sure you are giving your cat wet food as well as kibble - it helps to keep them hydrated when they aren't drinking enough water.   The authors being veteranarians themselves and specialists in their fields and each is known for a major research finding that has changed how the industry of pet food and pet care does things.   It is a handy reference book for all things cat and includes at the end several cat-friendly charities that could use help to keep their doors open, be it through donations of money or volunteering your time or donating supplies.    I wish I had this when one of my cats gave birth, had I known then what I learned from this book, I could have been more helpful at that crucial time.   The book tells the pros and cons of cat ownership and the differences  between owning a cat or a kitten, and why animals should be spayed or neutered.   It discusses domesticated, feral and fereal colonies, the many breeds of cats that have been introduced over the years and what genetic tampering with breeds creates healthwise  (Persians have flat faces and this trait causes them not to live as long as some breeds due to breathing problems caused by the flat facial features similar to bulldogs and hence their short lifespan, too.   Fascinating book for all cat lovers, cat owners and anyone considering working for a shelter.   Also good for kids to read so they know how best to care for the new pet they want to bring home.   Great book.   I highly recommend it to middle-schoolers on up.

 - Shirley J.

Missed post for April: What Cats Think

What Cats Think by John Spray, illustrations by Mies van Hout  44 pages

Very colorful, very spot on thoughts likely to cross feline minds.   Made me pause to remind myself to be more forgiving when one of the kitties jumps up on the counter and chows down on something I just made for me.   "But it smelled so good..."  I must be more mindful of my babies point of view and not expect them to respect property rights   We are a family, we share everything instead.    Love this book- so to the point and absolutely spot on - wouldn't you know it was written by a 40 year veteran public investigator.   He certainly did his homework on cats!  Bravo!  And the illustrations jump out at you, too.   Excellent!  I recommend it to one and all- all ages literally and especially to those of us with a deep abiding love of our feline friends.

 

- Shirley J (and I missed the email for April - Jen O.

Blueprint For Disaster

Blueprint For Disaster by Darby Conley, 128 pages

The Get Fuzzy comics are hilarious.  This is a fun collection in which Bucky Katt tries to trap Fungo, the ferret next door, and loses his tooth.  Satchel is his usual sweet, bumbling self, and Rob just tries to keep the peace as much as possible.  Unfortunately, the library doesn’t own this volume, but fans will like several of the other Get Fuzzy collections the library does own.

THE LITTLE BROOMSTICK

The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart  192 pages

Reviewed by Rae C.

From Biblio:
A black cat that needs to rescue its brother from a witch's spell enlists the help of lonely ten-year-old Mary Smith.

This Bibliocommons description is actually somewhat incorrect.  The cat leads Mary to a magical flower that enables her to ride the little broomstick and go to a Hogwarts type magic school.

As a fan of both Mary Stewart's Arthurian trilogy and her thriller romances like "Touch Not The Cat" I was surprised I had not only missed one of her books- but especially a kid's book about witches!  I learned of this book only from watching the movie "Mary and the Witch's Flower."  The movie did change a few things, naturally, but both were excellent, and each is fine as a stand alone or together.  Fans of Ruth Chew will love this!  Great story, great characters, and very satisfying ending!

Chi’s Sweet Home Volume 5

Chi’s Sweet Home  Volume 5 by Konami Kanata                Paperback Book:  160 pages                              

Chi’s Sweet Home Volume 5 was a surprise.     The previous 4 books in the series were a lot thicker but his one was only 160 pages which felt like am I missing something?   Are there more than one book of Volume 5?    And didn’t Volume 4 end with Chi moving to France?     No mention of France in this book.    It also is like Chi has amnesia because she doesn’t recognize her old neighborhood stomping grounds nor her old friends from her neighborhood and around the park.    They know Chi.    I of course love all the stories about Chi’s adventures but I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole reading this one, did somebody slip me something to make me grow small so small that I am missing something here?     Did Chi come back home to Japan and in the time she was away forgot her old buddies?    What happened?     And why is this volume so much smaller?    It is not explained why Chi doesn’t recognize Auntie and only toward the end does she recognize her dear friend, Blackie.   I’m hoping I find the answers to these questions along the way but it is really confusing and unclear as to what has happened.    Is this the dream sequence while she is flying to France or what?   Did they decide not to go?   I love Chi, so, I would really like to know the answers to the questions this Volume poses.    I did thoroughly enjoy the book however, and I love Chi more and more but if I could ask the author, I would seriously like to know what happened.    The search is on.   I will let you know what I come up with when I get the next Volume and complete it.     Highly recommend the story for all ages.   Highly curious as to what the author is about in this one.    Maybe the clue is that Chi is laying down and the reader is seeing her from above but it also gives the impression of her being upside down, which is how I feel coming away from this one.    Good stories just trying to figure out where the story picks up from the end of Volume 4.   Having a, “huh?” moment here.

 - Shirley J.

The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home Part 4

The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home Part 4 by Konami Kanata          Paperback Book:  480 pages                          

I love Chi so much I cannot get enough of her and apparently I am not the only person in the world who feels that way.    Chi has a following on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram, too.   What a sweetie pie she is.    I am already looking forward to following her next adventure.    In this book, Chi remembers her Momma and her siblings, she learns how to control her claws when playing with or jumping on other cats during play times, and she has to decide whether to stay with the Yamadas who are moving to France or to stay with her Momma and siblings.   So many things happening.   Does she go and leave her friends Blackie and Cocchi and having just reunited with her cat family, should she stay with them or leave them for her human Yamada family?   So many decisions for a little kitten to make.    Gut wrenching stuff here.   It may be a juvenile graphic novel but Konami Kanata has a great ability to move the reader so much emotionally that Chi’s world draws you in so deep, Chi’s hurts and joys become the reader’s.     Chi endears herself more to me with each book.   The books in this series really twist the reader’s heart and the situations Chi gets into are very real and makes one pause to think what might I do if I were her?    The stories make you very protective over this little kitten.    There is one scene with Chi and her mother that will make you holler, “Oh no!!!   No!!!! NO!!!!!  NO!!!!! I won’t tell you what it is, so I don’t spoil it for you, but this is such a good book, I can’t praise it enough.    I love you, Chi.    See you again in Chi’s Sweet Home Part 5.  Yes,  I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

Chi’s Sweet Home Part 3

Chi’s Sweet Home Part 3 by Konami Kanata             Paperback Book: 464 pages                                 

I love this kitten!  Chi is sooooo sweet!    Even in her moody times, I still adore her!    In this 3^rd book in the Chi’s Sweet Home series, Chi hangs out more with her new friend Cocchi, who introduces her to his life as a stray, the only kitten not picked out of a box of kittens left in a City park.    So sad!    Cocchi learned he was all alone and had to figure out how to find food and shelter on his own.    It is such a pitiful thing that this dear little guy was left to struggle for survival on his own.   So Cocchi has a bit of an attitude but understandably so, however, he can’t help but love his new friend, Chi.   She just goes at everything so freely and full-throttle because she is so innocent and sweet though she gives him a good wrestling match and playful head butt from time to time.   They get along great.   Cocchi takes Chi to some of his favorite spots to find food but unfortunately, Chi doesn’t realize she needs to smell everything before she eats it and ends up getting food poisoning which prompts her family, the Yomatas to keep her inside.   She misses Cocchi and her other friends and especially her freedom.   She even has to wear a cone on her head which plays havoc with her trying to get outside through the sliding door and it takes her a while to learn to eat with the Victorian collar on, but, she manages to learn to maneurver with it eventually and then thankfully the thing got taken off!  YAY!   Lots more adventures happen and Cocchi even teaches her how to meow at a friendly lady’s door so she will come out and give them food.   Chi loves this new food treat and makes those delightful big round eyes with her head tilted looking so CUTE that the lady brings them even more of the delicious new treats.  YUM!  I love this series so much!   Chi is darling.   The two kittens eat so much of the delicious treats that Chi keeps falling so deeply asleep she just sprawls in the middle of the street.   Cocchi is afraid she will get hit by a vehicle and keeps trying to wake her to no avail.    Traffic whizzes by and Cocchi is freaking out but he too is so full and so tired his eyes are watering and he can’t stay awake either.   OMgosh!   What happens then is a REAL adventure!    Don’t want to spoil the story for you.    I LOVE this series.   I cannot get enough of Chi and her pals.    Such a wonderful series.   I am on to book 4 – I’ve already got it on reserve.   I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age.   I Love It!

The Complete Chi's Sweet Home Part 2

The Complete Chi's Sweet Home Part 2 by Konami Kanata      Paperback Book: 480 pages   

The continued story of the little female kitten, Chi, who got lost from her mother and while searching for was found and taken in by a family.    Her story continues from Part 1, the Yomata family moves to a pet friendly apartment complex and CHI and her mother are reunited though at first they don't recognize each other.   So heartwarming.   I love Chi so much!   She has so many adventures and now lives in close proximity to a city park.    So many adventures so wonderful.   I am on to the next book on Chi's life.   Can't get enough of this dear little kitten.   LOVED IT!   I highly recommend this book.   So funny and so heartwarming!

Really Important Stuff My Cat Has Taught Me

Really Important Stuff My Cat Has Taught Me  by Cynthia L. Copeland            Paperback Book:  176 pages               

I loved this book.   The photos alone are priceless.    Such great advice, too.   From “Be the Exception” to “Stay a Little Wild,”  “Stay a Little Weird”  “Talk Less, Listen More” to “Act Like You Can See Things the Others Can’t Just For Fun.”    As Ernest Hemingway said, “One cat leads to another.”  He ought to know, he had more than 30 cats at his home in Key West, Florida.    He said he admired cats for their absolute emotioional honesty.   While people may hide their feelings a cat, he declared, does not.    Another famous writer, Mark Twain. Shared his farm in central Connecticut with 11 cats.  Twain said, “I simply can’t resist a cat, particularly a purring one.”     He also said, “If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but, it would deteriorate the cat.”    Scientists have found that when cats sleep deeply their brain patterns mimic humans in sleep.    No wonder one of my cats talks in his sleep.  Cats can also sleep for up to 16 hours a day.   I know days when I feel like I could do that.   Lots of good information here.    A fun read that will often make you laugh out loud – some of the pictures will too.    As Edward Gorey said,  “Books.  Cats.  Life is good.”    I thoroughly agree.   Good book.  I highly recommend it to cat lovers and animal lovers and everyone in between.  

Monsters And Mold

 Monsters AndMold by Asia Citro, 96 pages

“A girl, Zoey, and her cat, Sassafras use science experiments to help a monster with a problem.” The Reading Pays author donated the second book in the series for us to give away as well.  The second book is very similar to the first, and I’d recommend it for early elementary childrens.

Dragons And Marshmallows

Dragons AndMarshmallows by Asia Citro, 96 pages

“A girl, Zoey, and her cat, Sassafras, use science experiments to help a dragon with a problem.” This is one of this spring’s Reading Pays books.  It’s perfect for 2^nd and 3^rd grade and I like that it has a science base.  It’s a very simple story but it’s cute and not too sweet.

Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows

Zoey & Sassafras: Dragons andMarshmallows by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay        96 pages

In this first book in the series, readers meet Zoey and her cat, Sassafras. Zoey seems to me to be approximately six or seven years old. She loves science and animals. She has a pair of Thinking Goggles that help her solve problems. Sassafras is her constant companion and BFF.

Zoey is a little worried about her mom going to a conference for a week. But in her mom’s office, she discovers a glowing photo of a purple frog! It turns out that since her mom was her age, magical creatures have been coming to their bar when they need help. Mom thought she was the only one who could see the frog, who talks and told her his name was Pip. But Zoey must have inherited her abilities as well as her curiosity and compassion.

After her mom tells her about the doorbell and what happens when it rings, Zoey and Sassafras are eager to get to work. When they answer, they see a “shimmery blue tail disappear into the forest.” Looking around, Zoey spots a green baby dragon who doesn’t feel well. She ascertains that because he breathes fire, he must be hungry. 

Using her journal and her Thinking Goggles, Zoey comes up with an experiment that should help the little creature, whom she ultimately names Marshmallow.

I like the science, the strong girl role, and the glossary in the back to help kids understand some of the terms used in the story. “Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages.”

Zoey & Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows receive 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Cat Speak: Recognising and Understanding Behavior

Cat Speak: Recognising and Understanding Behavior by Brigitte Rauth-Widmann               Paperback Book :89 pages             

Great book on  cats.   I learned so many new things and I love learning new things.    I did not know from prior reading, though,  I have observed that cats do not see well up close.     Also their depth perception is not always too great.   I have noticed this behavior that sometimes cats seem not to be able to “see” something you put directly in front of them, but, use their sense of smell to find it.  This is discussed in the book.   I just thought if cats missed whatever they were jumping from that it was just a case of clumsiness but this book explains how and why that can happen and it can affect any cat.   She says when they do that thing where they arch their back that it is from fear.    I get that, but sometimes a kitten seems to do it in play, too.  I call it being a “Halloween Kitty” because they look like the traditional picture of a black cat arching its back in Halloween scenes.  I saw an excellent video of this and the cat actually stood up on its tip toes and scurried across the floor.    Kittens do that when they are focused on something smaller than them, too, a toy, or if outside a bug anything lower than them, I guess they do it instinctually to show the prey they are bigger than them.   I also didn’t know until I read it and saw the photos that cats puff out their cheeks for a variety of reasons all to look bigger than they are.    And cat speak -  I always talk to animals of all kinds.    My cats have always tended to talk back, not always in human English though they can say “Out,”  “In” one says, “Hello” and “No.”    If they don’t like something or don’t want to do something my little loves will either shake their heads or kick out which I think is a riot (like when humans are appalled by something and through their hand up as if to push whatever distasteful offensive idea or thing away. – Hilarious and effective – I get their drift).   She says cats that grow up being talked to observe human behavior and learn to communicate with us.    She says because cats are attentive they have evolved a rich vocabulary in which to communicate with people they use a completely different communication with other cats and also with other animals.  I can attest to this.    My cats make this trilling noise when talking to birds and as a kitten my Mama cat would even make some of the bird sounds when she was in the yard watching them.    The birds would come down on the ground with her when she was a kitten they were friends.   She got along with squirrels and rabbits as a youngster, too.   They had their own communication.   Cats are fascinating.   The more you talk to them, the more they pick up.   I have always talked to them and other animals, too.   A friend was over once and amazed that my cats and I could actually hold conversations with both parties engaging in vocal response.   He said, “I never knew cats could talk!  That is wild.”    I told, “Of course cats can talk.   They are another living species.   They are just different from us.   Kind of like how adults and babies can learn to understand one another or how humans from different cultures and languages can communicate.   Same thing.    We each pick up body language, facial cues and knowing a few words always helps.   And like a babies intonations – you learn being around cats that different inflections in their meows and miooooowwwwwwws mean different things.  Cats do this thing where they will bat their eyes when trying to cajole you into doing something  they want you to.  It is so cute!  Now for the R-rated portion.   Mating is painful for the female, hence why you may hear shrieking sounds because the male’s penis is covered in barbs.  Poor girl!  Dang!   Cats do a thing called the Flehmen Response where they curl their upper lip and breath in through both their mouth and nose for maximum assorption of scent.    The scent going in through their mouth saturates their saliva which carries the scent and pheromone particles to receptor cells.  Horses and Dogs also have this ability.  Pheromones are a species specific thing.  Humans can’t smell cat pheromones but cats can pick up information like a private detective on another cat just by inhaling them.  Spraying – don’t get me started!   I have been the target of it – trust me – you don’t want to be the target of it.  Enough said.   Cats have a network of blood vessels in their brains that allows them to cool their brains on hot days.   Fascinating isn’t it?    With every exhalation hot air is breathed out of the brain and body.  Dogs have this ability, too.   As a rule cats don’t pant unless it is an extremely hot day however if you notice your cat panting a lot better take him or her to the Vet because something may be wrong cats don’t sweat in the usual way say dogs do so excessive panting or panting for a long period of time could signify a serious illness..      The only areas on cats that have actual sweat glands are their feet.  I always thought it was funny if a cat lies down on his/her side with the pads on the bottom of their feet showing another cat will come up and smell their feet.   So, I learned there are sweet musky sweat secretions tht come out of their pads and scent mark their every step.  This book is just chock full of fascinating stuff to learn about your cat.    Clawing the furniture, fences, etc. is both a manicure and an opportunity to leave behind a little of their essence.   Like little Freddy Krugers they not only shed off the dead skin and shore up those little fishhooks on the end of their paws but they are also saying –my territory!   Thanks God for their claws being soft until they are around 5 weeks old or they would give their mothers a DNC on the way out.   Not having sharp claws at birth is again a big help to their mothers as when they do that kneading thing it doesn’t hurt their Mom, it likely soothes her while they are nursing and stimulates the milk production.     Paws are really important because cats sense things through the ground either under the ground or coming up on them from the vibrations they sense through their paws.   Cool skill to have.   Helps them to hunt when living outside.   So many more things you will learn from this most excellent book.   I highly recommend it.     You will come away a cat whisperer after this read.   10 paws up.

Life Lessons From Your Cat

Life Lessons From Your Cat: We’re So Vain, We Probably Think This Book Is About Us by Anthony Rubio, Jr.        Hardback Book:  150 pages             

So funny.   So true.   Cat lovers unite!  Hey, even folks who don’t love cats will laugh when reading this book.    The catisms  are hilarious.    I often laughed out loud while reading it because everything he says is so spot on.    He says he did a lot of research and I believe it because he makes the funniest observations about cat behavior.   Like how cats who live in a loving environment do begin to feel a little entitled and while you pour your deepest thoughts out to them, they will stare at you or the wall or out the window then roll over on their backs for a belly rub.     They will take over any seat that you vacate even if you mean it to be just a short away time and return it is most likely your cat will take over the warm spot you vacated and good luck getting your seat back.    It is a labor of total unconditional love to own a cat because felines will climb on everything and push things off of any flat surface not to be mean just to have the joy of rubbing against it to the point of no return, or making a game of head butting a thing until it falls over in the floor, tub, trash can, etc. bouncing, breaking, etc. to the point that you wonder if this relationship is going to work out, but, then you get that unconditional love, snuggle, purring while climbing into your arms to rest like a baby up against you and you will fall in love all over again and sweep the spilled kibble, glass shards, etc. up and forgive them.   My recommendation is do not have anything glass in your home where the cat can get to it.   They don’t mean to break things, they just love to rub stuff and sometimes that rubbing involves their weight pressing against it and all that change you had in the tray on your dresser is going overboard.    Get used to it.   Kitty will sleep more than he or she will make messes.   And don’t get too attached to your furniture, better yet, get sturdy furniture like schools have so as to stand up to the abuse of claws, hair, furballs which are actually more like fursticks, being jumped on and off sometimes at length just because it is fun.    And above all remember when you find that half a mouse, rabbit, snake or other unidentifiable dead creature dropped in front of you, it is your cat showing you how much they love you and are willing to provide for you.   Be gracious, check your gag reflex, don’t holler,  praise that little furbaby for loving you so much as to show you their skill at hunting and providing a gift for you to show their love.   Just think of it as that one holiday present you really don’t like but do your best to control your facial expression and thank Aunt Gladys for any way.    Cats.   I love ‘em.    Wonderful book.  I give it 10 laughs and a giggle for all its humorous reality.

Bad Kitty Meets the Baby by Nick Bruel                          Hardback Book:  143 pages                               

Loud out loud funny book about character – Bad Kitty – who has ruled the roost in his house but then has to share his home space when his family brings home a puppy.     When he finally got used to the puppy, the family brings home a BABY!   Since the baby crawls on all fours, Bad Kitty, his cat friends, the puppy and a mouse all think the baby is also a cat and they refer to the baby as New Kitty.   During their play they go into a whole Olympic games scenario geared to cats.   There are competitions in:  Staring at Yourself in a Mirror Until You Get Bored;  Babbling On and On Without Stopping; Who Can Create the Biggest Stink and The Eating Contest.    In the past one of the cat friends was best at one of the competitions and Bad Kitty always won the eating contest.   That is, until now.    Pretty Kitty usually won the mirror competition, Chatty Kitty always won the Babbling On and On competition, Stinky Kitty never lost the Create the Biggest Stink contest and Bad Kitty was the winning champion every time in the Eating Contest.   Not this time.   During the staring into the mirror competition, Stinky Kitty fell asleep and was disqualified, the baby hollered and distracted Pretty Kitty so the baby won by default.   Chatty kitty gave it a tremendous effort but the baby got going babbling and kept on non-stop surprising Chatty Kitty into shocked silence.   The baby won that competition, too!  Creating the biggest stink was always a shoo-in for Stinky Kitty, Stink was already in his name, after all.     The baby grunted,  made a big squirty Pooop noise and ran every cat, dog and mouse out of the room.    Last but not least it was the eating contest.   Bad Kitty was given the usual triple decker pile of bandicoot, canary, and antelope food and the baby got a triple decker pile of – bananas, carrots, apples in her bowl.   The baby practically inhaled her bowl of food.    Bad Kitty watched in disbelief!     The mouse gave Bad Kitty grief about being a loser and Bad Kitty had a meltdown.    His fur frizzed out and he freaked out!   He went and got a suitcase to pack the baby’s clothes in but Mom and Dad said no Kitty!   He got a box and a roll of tape to send her back but Mom and Dad said no Kitty.   He made a sign to sell her for 25 cents.  Mom and Dad said we aren’t going to sell her either.    He made mark downs on the sign from 25 cents, to 10 cents, to 5 cents and he put a sign around the puppy’s neck saying “Free Dog With Every Purchase.”   Mom and Dad couldn’t understand it.   They told Kitty that he and the baby had so much in common.   They both liked to scratch things,  they both liked to chew on things they shouldn’t and they obviously both liked to eat a lot and you are both adopted.   Mom and Dad said the baby needed someone to love and care for her just like Kitty and Puppy once did.   They told Kitty she needed  someplace warm and safe and happy just like you and Puppy.    The baby looked at Kitty and said, “Meow.”    Kitty burst into tears meowing and yowling.  Puppy consoled Kitty then he started crying and howling, too.   Mom and Dad said don’t cry, it’s o.k.  But they both continued crying.   Mom and Dad said if you don’t stop your catewalling you are going to make the baby…then Waaaaaaaaaa!  Baby started crying, too.   Kitty and Puppy stopped in shock.   Mom and Dad said never mind.    Ohmgosh!  What a funny story.   This is one of the cutest books I have read in a long time.   I loved it.   Uncle Murray even included tips on how to get your cat down out of a tree without having to call the Fire Dept.  (who no longer answer cats in trees calls it says)  In a really severe situation if you can’t lure kitty back down out of the tree by just waiting her out, or putting a can of tuna or food at the foot of the tree or you don’t have a ladder to put against the tree for her to climb down on or if you can’t climb up and get her – call the Humane Society or your local animal shelter.   And there are a slew of tricks in the appendix with complete instructions on how to teach your cat to come, sit, shake a paw, sit up, or beg.    Cool book.   All kids, their parents, cat lovers and animal lovers will enjoy this one.   A great asset to any library or bookshelf – SO CUTE!

The Inner Life of Cats

The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions by Thomas McNamee    Audio Book: 8 hours, 25 minutes     Hardback Book: 288 pages        

 

I had a love/hate relationship with the author while reading this book.    The book itself is good, some of the author’s opinions were a little abrasive to me.    He loved his cat to the point of mourning her when she passed away and yet, he could never be sure that cats were capable of feeling emotions like love.    Dude, of course they do!   Have you never had a cat nuzzle you or want to play or adore you so much there is no happier place for them than to be in their human’s arms?    Cats don’t bond with everyone (although I might have a case for that with one of mine.   She loves everybody, but, then she also loves to be loved so maybe that is the payoff – attention).     The author examines catdom from their prehistoric beginnings through the Egyptian deifying of domestic cats in the goddess, Bastet.    He also tells how Muhammad loved his favorite cat Muezza so much that once when the call to prayer came Muhammad saw that Muezza was asleep on the sleeve of his prayer robe.   Muhammad gently cut the sleeve off so as not to disturb Muezza and went to pray.   When he returned from the Mosque,  Muezza bowed to him and in love he petted Muezza stroking the cat 3 times then He granted Muezza and all cats from that time on 7 lives out of his sheer love for his precious cat.    The author cites many psychological and scientific studies about cat behavior and how a cat behavioralist friend of his teaches cats tricks that she says anyone can learn and any cat can do.   He talks about his life in Montana when he first met Augusta, the kitten who came to be their family cat.   Someone had dropped the kitten off on the road and she managed to make her way in the tire ruts up to where the author, Tom McNamee and his wife found her barely alive and nearly frozen and nursed her back to life.   While he mentioned a few times throughout the book she was probably part of a litter of kittens someone left on the road he never mentions ever having checked to see if there might have been others freezing to death out in the sub-zero weather.    He assumed it was so and says a few times he was certain there were more that died in the cold – but – thinking that – why didn’t he at least look to see if there might be more out there?   I get it the weather was horrendously cold, but, just a quick check or drive down the path slowly in case you might just see them?   He tends to side with the clinical sterile cats are animals view and he and his wife called Augusta dummy and stupie and other names when the cat didn’t perform as they wanted.   Cats aren’t stupid nor dumb.   Cats just tend to not necessarily want to do what we humans may want them to do.   Cats have enough savoir fare to behave as they believe in a situation what is right for them at the time and likely wonder what is wrong with us to expect anything different from them.     He and his wife did get a step stool for Augusta when she got so old she wasn’t getting around all that well so that she could climb up on the bed when she got too old to jump but my beef is – you see she is in pain and having a hard time walking up the stairs to the bedroom, why wouldn’t you pick her up and carry her?   So many little things like that peppered throughout the book makes me not like the storyteller at times, though, I did like the book and learned many things along the way.   For those wanting to learn the body language of cats he gives a great explanation that will give much insight into cat behavior.   He also tells about the Gittana “Cat Ladies” of Italy who have taken care of the feral cat colonies there for decades, so much so, that there are now laws in place protecting the lives of cats that unless a feral cat is sick  or injured to the point they cannot be saved, it is illegal to put them to death.    There are actually cat colony tours of 14 of the feral cat colonies and many, many volunteers brining them food, providing health care for them and spaying and neutering.    He discusses TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs in length throughout many parts of the world and how Italy champions stray felines and while TNR is promoted and done extensively, there is still some growth in a few of the feral colonies when someone drops off an unneutered feline at one of the sites.    This is a very good book and I enjoyed it, even if I did find the author’s viewpoints going against the grain now and then.    I applaud the good he does, the care and yes love he gave and received and how he experienced such a loss when Augusta passed away that shows he did care for her a lot .   Just wake up and realize yes, our pets love us back they are not little furry automatons they care, too, otherwise why would they be so thrilled to see us when we come through the door every day?  O.K. not every cat is over zealous but you can bet it’s not just not having apposable thumbs to open the cans of cat food or bags of kibble that keep them snuggling in our laps.    Love the story, love the author in many ways, agree to disagree with some of his lack of action/understanding in a couple of things.   Both opposable thumbs up for this book.

My Pet Human Takes Center Stage

My Pet Human TakesCenter Stage by Yasmine Surovec, 103 pages

In this sequel to “My Pet Human”, Oliver has settled into life off the streets very well.  He loves his human, Freckles, and really loves his bed and his food and his treats, especially olives.  He doesn’t love when Freckles tries to go to school without him.  And he really doesn’t love when Freckles decides to foster a kitten.  And he hates when she decides to have him and the new kitten be part of a pet show.  But Oliver loves Freckles and maybe everything will work out for the best.  This is a sweet little book for beginning chapter book readers who like animals.

My Pet Human

My Pet Human by Yasmine Surovec, 106 pages

A stray cat has no desire to live with a human until he finds the perfect family with a little girl who feeds him treats, rubs his belly, has lots of boxes to play with, doesn’t squeeze him, and meets all of his other requirements.  This was a cute story with a lot of illustrations and would be perfect for beginning chapter book readers.

Max the Brave

Max the Brave by Ed Vere   32 pages

A cute book for Preschoolers through Grade 2.

Max is very brave, very black kitten who chases mice. Problem is, Max doesn’t know what a mouse looks like. So off he goes in search mouse. Since this is such a short book, I don’t want to be a spoiler. You’ll just have to read it to find out what obstacles get in Max’s way.

I give Max the Brave 5 out of 5 stars.