CATS. And books, of course

Mrs. McGruder likes books.  And cats, especially her big, fat cat Phil.  Here is an excerpt from her story:

"She picked up her cup of tea and wandered into the living room.  Her big fat cat Bibliophile sat on a pile of books by the window, sunning himself.  He opened his eyes, looked at her, purred sleepily, and then dozed again."

Later she walks into her bedroom with a book.

  "She carried it with her over to the bed.  Sighing, she kicked off her shoes and pushed aside a pile of books.  She would lie down for a while and read her new mystery book.  But just then Bibliophile trotted up the stairs, burst into the room and landed right in her spot.  He settled down immediately for another nap.
 “Drat cat.”  she said, as she pushed more books over to make room for herself.  Contentedly she lay down beside “Phil” and started reading."

 

A Table full of books.  Summer reading

AND

cat books.

 

Will they actually all get read?

 

Cats and books.  It's fun to read outdoors.

 

 

 

 

Cheltenham’s Party

Jan Wahl
Illustrated by Lucinda McQueen
1985
Cheltenham, an adorable orange cat has his first party and there is fun for all!! Cute little animal characters, cute story, and darling color illustrations (by Lucinda McQueen).  It’s PARTY TIME.

Little Pussy Cat
Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Leonard Weisgard.
Originally titled  Pussy Willow, this story by the well-known children’s author takes us through the seasons with a little kitty.  Nice illustrations by Leonard Weisgard add to the effect.

 

 Looking After Your Cat

Ed., Ian Kearey
Ill Robert Farnworth
1997
This book shares lots of facts about cats – feeding and caring for them.  There are cute photos and an index.

 

My Little Golden Book About Cats

Joanne Ryder
Illustrated by Dora Leder
1988
The charming and colorful illustrations (by Dora Leder) tell the story while the text gives lots of facts about cats.

 

The Owl And The Pussycat 

Edward Lear
Illustrations Ruth Sanderson
This 1982 version of Lear’s 1871 classic is ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTING!  Beautifully illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, the soft but luscious colors add to the charm and Pussycat’s outfits (especially her wedding gown) are to die for.  And Owl.  What a dapper gent. This book will really make you want to run out and get your very own runcible spoon.
 

 

 

Some kid's books.

 

 

 

"I better find out what they know about us!"

 

 

All About Cats

Tom Kuncl
1998
Lots of fun and interesting facts, myths, legends about cats.  Includes black and white drawings. The author relates stories about celebrity and hero cats and page 71 gives a brief description of the local Portland, OR KATU-TV “Weather Cat”.  

 

 

 

 

Three kittens trying to learn new tricks.  As if they needed a book!

 

Brain Games For Cats

Claire Arrowsmith 
2016

These are 95 pages of fun activities for cats and their owners with cute photos and instructions for the games.  A chapter on understanding cats gives important information that will help set up the locations and situations to play more effectively with your pets.  There are games for kittens, games for more vigorous, extraverted cats, games for home (inside and out) and while on the go.   Cute, clever , and fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Why Cats Paint

A Theory of Feline Aesthetics
Heather Busch
Burton Silver
1994
TOTALLY HILARIOUS.  At first glance this book actually appears to be a serious scholarly or academic work.  It includes chapters on the history and theories of feline “marking behavior”, major cat artists (portrait painters, abstract expressionists, reductionists, etc.), and especially the use and value of titles.  P.36 “Without them, we run the risk of dismissing cat painting as no more relevant than the mindless territorial daubing of the graffitist.”  Page 83 discusses the serious problem of cats who are not given access to paint….thus …forced to continue with soft sculpture.
On page 85 the author tells of a cat artist who, when her work was completed satisfactorily she urinated.  Many human artists, surely, will relate to this.  There is also extensive discussion of other forms of artistic expression – sculpture and scratch forms, aesthetic clawing, accentuation and installations (some involving dead animals!).
This 96 page coffee-table sized paperback book also includes great photos of the (cat) artists at work and some interesting examples from ancient and medieval art or Victorian ads. 

 

 

Cats and art.

 

 

Chelsea and friends.  Wild!

 

 

The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency
A Hettie Bagshot Mystery

 Mandy Morton

2014

Very silly cozy with amateur   ”cat”-tectives Hettie and her roommate/office assistant Tilly. 

Assisted by their plumber friend Poppa (an old rhodie colleague of Hettie's from her travelling musician days) they are hired to solve a case at the Furcross Home For Slightly Older Cats.  Much zaniness ensues as the super cute kitty cats lend their expertise to the solving of the mystery.  The author gives homage to a best-selling author both in the title of the book itself and also in the name of one of Tilly’s favorite mystery writers – Alexander McPaw Spit.  Too funny, cute and clever.    (Note:  different cover displayed on goodreads)The drab cover illustrations will make many readers wish the publishers had chosen an artist to illustrate this darling story – perhaps with whimsical black and while drawings of the town and all the interesting inhabitants.