Cats Books

Authors Leigh and Geyer made a brave move to follow and document the lives of animals in a shelter in northern California for one week. They have a story to tell that will at times warm your heart with joy and at other times break your heart. They are to be commended for telling a very difficult story in an honest and non-biased way. They make a point to tell stories of the dogs and cats in the kennel consistent with the actual adoption/euthanasia rates at that kennel. Some animals are adopted or recovered by their human guardians others are euthanized. It's heartbreaking to know that some dogs and cats have no chance of adoption and are euthanized simply because of their unpopular breed or age or health condition. Some happy adoptable animals succumb to kennel stress and the personality problems it causes. Some wonderful animals never have a chance from the second they enter the kennel. I found myself looking at the end of each brief story to see the outcome before I even started reading about the animals. Many do find wonderful homes but the odds are against shelter animals especially for cats. The authors are honest and fair to the shelter staff who also face unbelievable odds in their attempts to save animals. There is not enough money to care for sick animals or time or staff to socialize animals with behavioral problems. It is often a losing battle. The authors make it clear that much of the blame lies on irresponsible people who don't spay or neuter their animals. Some people just become bored with their pets or don't make the effort to work on correctable behavioral problems. Some seemingly well-cared animals are found lost and not wearing an ID tag. An ID tag and microchip could save countless lost animals. You begin to realize how hopeless the odds are even at the most well-run animal shelter. Many more animals arrive than can be adopted. You need to be strong to read this book. You'll fall in love with some of the animals and learn they did not survive the kennel but there is joy in knowing many do find new homes. The book selects several animals to feature and there is a picture or two. All are beautiful animals who deserved a chance that many never got.

It is rare that I find a book that I cannot put down - and I read this book in one sitting. It teaches the reader about life in an animal shelter through the short stories written about the animals the writers came to know during a week at a shelter. It gives you pause, describing shelters from the animals' perspective, as well as from the perspective of the humans that interact with the shelter (volunteers, shelter staff, adoptive pet parents, and pet owners who resign ownership). It gives interesting and surprising statistics. It talks about foster parenting shelter dogs, and it touches on visiting pet programs (for nursing homes, etc.). It gave me ideas that I might use the improve my local shelter as a volunteer. I thought I knew everything there was to know until I read this book. It is so well written, and it opens your heart and your mind to the realities of life and death for shelter animals.

I purchased this book as I have done many other books about shelter dogs,abandoned dogs etc. I love animals-all animals,but especially dogs.There were some wonderful stories in this book, there were also stories that totally broke my heart, seeing two large bins full with little bodies that the sanctuary found it necessary to euthanzise. ,I didn't expect to see a photo like that,but as much as it broke my heart,people need to be made aware. Animals are precious, they are like children, I have a daughter and I have three dogs, I love them all equally,my dogs are part of my family and are treated as such. People seem to think they can pick animals up and toss them out when they get fed up with them- it makes my blood boil.There was one story in particular that really got to me where a dog named Kelly had been so let down, she just gave up, she wouldn't even lift her head, the sanctuary- rightly or wrongly-decided that she could not be re-homed so they put her to sleep,there is a photo of them doing so, with a young guy holding up the her beautiful head and she is looking straight into the camera, the sadness in her eyes will haunt me forever, I just wish I had known about her, I would have given her a home and worked with her to help her to trust again.,and to show her boundless love.
There are many atrocities in this world, to me, cruelty to animals is one of them.
If anyone reading this is thinking about getting a dog, please think carefully before you do- they take a lot of your time and commitment but the love they give you in return is immeasurable.If only people were more responsible,these poor animals ,who only ever wanted love from someone, would never end up in this situation.
I hope that particular little dog is in Rainbow Bridge, and is healed now.
God Bless her, and all the other animals that have suffered and are suffering the same fate through no fault of their own.
It just isn't right.

This is a must read for everyone who has had a pet, has a pet, or is thinking of getting a pet. The authors do a wonderful job of revealing the plight of animals in shelters today. I bawled the whole way through the book, but it's because it's the truth. And something needs to be done.

It's such a good book. Many stories are sad, but it also offers real hope as to what we as individuals can do. Highly recommended. You'll go back to it when you find you need inspiration.

A wonderful yarn, author combines a little suspense, authentic points of view about what life is like for a weasel, it had a very touching ending.
Bagley Brown Jr. is a literary hero in my book! The illustrations were very well done, they conveyed what the characters were feeling in the story. I felt Author and Artist got the same sense of the Wainscott Weasel's world. I recommend this work and would like to express my weaselful gratitude to the Author and Artist for making the story come to fruition.

A parent turned me onto this book several years ago. I read the book aloud to my second graders and it soon became a hit! The children begged to create a play based on the story. They then created an adapted play and performed it for the school and the parents. Since then, I've used the book each year in my classroom. I've read it to my own children and used it in classes at church. The message is strong the story is endearing. I highly recommend this book.

This is a must have for any home with Elementary age children.
We all really loved this story, full of adventure and amusing characters.

The Wainscott Weasel
Author:Tor Seidler
In this book a weasel named Zeke Whitebelly falls in love with a girl, Wendy Blackish. Bagley Brown Jr. falls in love with not Wendy but a fish named Bridget! Paddy the frog comes asking for help. Bagley cant resist when Bridgets involved. Then he finds out she has kids. Will he still help them? Find out in this amazing book about weasels helping alll creatures and how love can go far.
Review by: Frances

This was a wonderful story which takes place at a location Mr. Seidler used to visit and that means a lot to him. The weasel society enjoys life and dancing, and even has its own celebrity, Bagley Brown. Bagley has a secret crush that would raise eyebrows if it were discovered, and he questions a pretty weasel's crush on him because he's never done anything great enough to earn the honor of sharing his father's name. Circumstances happen to change his destiny, and the destiny of his tough-guy rival, Zeke Whitebelly. I liked the theme of loving someone who's different, because even in this day and age the love of someone for a person of a different color or faith still raises some eyebrows. The way the book ended was a complete surprise to me, and the description of the beautiful lake with the ocean nearby made me wish I could pay a visit.

This book is extremely helpful when you have pets. I have used it many times now.

I definitely reccomend this for anyone who loves their cats and dogs like family members! There are many life saving tips in this great book. I bought this book because I have a cat who like to chew on things, including electrical wires. I learned a lot about this scary issue, as well as, many other life saving bits of information that I had never known before. There is even a section on human medicine that is safe for cats and dogs. I think this book would come in handy in the event of an emergency after vet hours!!

The book is in great shape and is new, however, it took too long to receive it & I wouldn't purchase another book from a1 because of the length of time it took to recieve it.

I've been looking for a book like this. I'm a nurse and was taught many interventions to assist a patient in crisis in addition to contacting a physician. That's nursing for humans. Now I have the information to assist my pets. This book covers every thing from minor first aid to life saving interventions. It's organized so that you can find what you need quickly. Its written in such a down-to-earth style that I know what to do within a paragraph or two.

I own Animal Companions pet sitting service in Houston, Texas, and I found this book a must-have for pet professionals. Laid out in a format similar to a Physician's Desk Reference, you may easily and quickly (and time is always of the essence with a sick pet!) look up information based on presenting symptoms.

It is an amazing supplement to hands-on first aid training. I immediately purchased a copy of this book for myself and each of my employees, to keep in our cars right next to our pet first aid kit. I also picked up a copy to keep at home, for my own furry loved ones.

My two-year old daughter loves this book! The illustrations are beautiful and the story of Hondo the dog and Fabian the kitty is a cute one. I would highly recommend!

I bought this book based upon its previous glowing reviews, however after reading several Rainy Dohaney books, this just doesn't stack up.

The artwork is beautiful, but this book is not engaging enough for any child over the age of 20 months or so. My 3 1/2 year old liked the art, but was bored by the story and kept asking questions wanting to know MORE about what was going on. She was intrigued, but bored.

It's not a TERRIBLE book, it's just a dull book. If you like this art style I highly recommend TINKA or MY BEST SWEET POTATO, which have become steady favorites in our home, and others whom we have given them to.

my toddler loves this book. she almost has it memorized and now pretends that she's reading it.

This story is simple enough for babies-small children to enjoy and the illustration is inspiring.

Yo, woof! I'm Hondo.

Hi, I'm Fabian. Have you seen the book just about us? OK, maybe the baby and that other dog that hangs with Hondo are in it, but basically the book is about our lives, well, actually, just one day in our lives.

Woof! My job is to tell you about our book. Our buddy, Peter McCarty, wrote and illustrated it. I have to tell you, woof, that he made both of us a bit "large boned."

You mean "fat" don't you, Hondo? Meow, you know we're fat, what with all the food we get. Anyway, before we start the story, I would like you to open to the end pages and look at those illustrations of both of us. Would you move over just a bit--I would like to rub my scent glands on the edges of the book. I'm marking this book because I like it so much.

Woof, look at us sleeping. Peter gave us that blurry look so little children would know it's sleepy time and all fuzzy inside our heads.

Meow, you know us cats: Slight us and we turn our backs. The people took Hondo and left me with....dun dun dun dun...the BABY!!! No way I'll get any shut-eye now!. Better get my hisser ready.

Wooooooof! Love the wind in my face, and, oh bow wow, the s-m-e-l-l-s are glorious! Hey, it's Fred. Yo, Fred, race ya!!

Dun dun dun dun--the BABY has got me. Yelp! Hissss, but I have to be nice. Gotta keep the claws in! It's a BABY even if she is dangerous!

Yipeee, yippeee, jump the waves. Yo, man, having fun-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-!!! Wait'll I tell Fabian!!

The BABY. Gotta get away....gotta get away....I'll show 'em what's what. Leaving me with the BABY. Take that, take that, take that. There, done! Success again--got all the soft stuff (some kind of paper) in the bathroom over and out and down on the floor. Wait'll I get my claws on Hondo....that dog!

Hey, Fabian. I had a blast! Jumped the waves. Tried to steal a fish. Hung out with Fred. Woof, what a day!!

Meow, Hondo. Another day, another bowl of food... Let me say this: If I ever get out of here, I am going on my own adventure...Meow!

Good night, Fabian.

Good night, Hondo.

Good night, BABY.

An excellent picture book by a fantastic writer and illustrator. All of her picture books are consistently great. Use of pattern and language which make children want to hear the story over and over. Pictures are excellent with lots to look at

My almost-3-year old son has loved this book for the past year. We've read it so many times that he, my husband, and I can recite whole sections of it. The rhymes are infectious, and the language is great -- not dumbed-down for kids.

My daughter got this book when she was 3 years old and she still remembers all the words. This well-loved book won't make it to another child. I never knew that there were more Slinky Malinki books until I found this one online. I will definitely buy those ones also.

My favorite cat name to recite from "Harry Maclary, Scattercat" has always been "Slinky Malinki..." Turns out I am not alone, and Lynley Dodd graduated the ebony meowser from footnote to full-on protagonist, with a series of his own.... This is the first volume of the S. Malinki saga, in which a kleptomaniac kitty-cat goes prowling through the neighborhood, kiping old gloves, sneakers and bits of string. When his pile of trashy treasures topples over at home, Slinky's secret is discovered, and he has to quit his klepto ways. Once again, Lynley Dodd's artwork is a delight, and the bouncy rhymes propel us along as well. A fun book, even if the protagonist is a sneak thief...

I'm 18 and a freshman in college and I was read this book all the time when I was a kid. I still love it. After a discussion about children's books, I remembered how much I'd loved this particular book and came to Amazon to buy a copy.

The SLJ review made me sad. I read all the time as a young child. I was a strong reader before even starting kindergarten and spent at least six days of the week at the library. I can't remember the huge majority of books I've read, but this one stands out to me. I adored this book as a child and it made enough of an impression on me to come looking for it 14 years later.

I received this book over twelve years ago by a relative when I was five years old, and it still remains a treasure on my bookshelf. There are some books that embody a sense of magic well beyond their words and after long putting this one down, the images, love of tales, and the pure passion of the myths stays with you. James C. Christensen's work very obviously could stand alone. The brilliant rich colors and original imagination very nearly breathe life into an eloquent, albeit essentially simple story. You end up `seeing' the adventure as it pans out, on the decks of the Basset as it goes sailing, looking for magic.

The story has always remained dear to me, having characters that not only do you empathize with and care for immensely but end up seeing little bits of yourself entwined in. I love the subtext with the science in a world where physics and rigid rationalities are not shunned out, but rather melded together in an appreciation of what an untamed imagination has to offer a world that works within rules and boundaries; an ideology that I have long since held with reverence and respect. That without the ingenuity and sparks of original thought, the very fuel and passion of science and humanity's natural need and compulsion to understand, would be left lackluster, without the same benefit, and without the very essence that makes us who we are.

It is a quiet little book that has interwoven themes in a light manner and stays in a genre all its own. Someone obviously cared deeply about the origins of the myths, tales, and creatures, and through the perspective of Professor Aisling you shall find footnotes telling of their backgrounds and stories. As a kid this is why I fell in love with reading, the type of thing that leaves a dreamlike quality in the waking hours and sends shivers down the spine.

As that child, I saw the excitement and adventure that often keeps a young one entertained, though also growing up through the last twelve years I have drawn depth out of it. Originating from someone young who cared little for the sensible, polite etiquette of today's society (Cassandra), to now someone who roots and thrives and builds their life off of the science of the world (Miranda), I can see myself in both daughters. I have been both daughters. The book has a story of loss in its pages, and contributes to how our dreaming and imaginative nature is often lost in light of trauma and death, and also how it can wither or steel over as we grow older; as we come to understand the world expects a certain sense of propriety out of us. The two girls here are the split halves of a sphere; the pure willingness to believe with the mind of a child, and the sensibility and maturity of a questioning nature. Neither science nor the imagination is on some level complete without the other, and here they are personified in two strong females rooted in the deep bond of family.

This will be a book to give a child that will most likely appeal to their tastes, though will always remain something accessible to those older, and something that one will never tire of picking up. It's the sort of thing that will always hold something new with each stage of life and therein lays my ardent affection for the mythology, calm wisdom, and art within its pages. A golden and heartfelt story awaits you on a neglected dock. Credendo vides, my friend.

I think that my favorite part of this book were the illustrations. Then again, I hesitate to call the pictures in this book illustration; they step into the realm of artwork. Christensen's artwork is beautiful! The colors are vivid and alive, and sometimes I couldn't turn the page because I wanted to soak in every detail. They were so real, that I had a hard time looking at Medusa's eyes because it almost seemed that they would turn me into stone if I looked.

I loved the way the story and art went hand in hand to tell the voyage of the professor and his two daughters. If you love daydreaming about fantastical journeys, this is the story for you! Everything from Greek Mythology to Mideival Legend is found by sailing with the crew of the Basset.

What great story would be complete without having an equally great message! The message of this book is as beautiful as the story and its artwork. For fear of spoiling anything, here it is in the latin: "cresendo vides!"

If you love fairy tales then this book is for you! with an excellent story and beautiful pictures, I open my book at least once a week! I highly recommened this book to all ages! A true classic!

This is my favorite book. I have read it so many times. The drawings are beautiful. The story is so interesting that you almost feel like you are in the book, that you are Cassandra. There are so many mythical creatures discribed and drawn out for you on every page. My favorite part is when they meet the Manticore and the Sphynx falls in love with him. It is a very cute book that reads easy.

A story about a family coping with heartache and struggling to pick back up the pieces of their torn lives. Full of whimsical illustrations and imagination. For kids and the kid at heart, the only thing you will regret is not going on this fantastic voyage of distant shores and mythical creatures.

I love Amelia's notebook's especially this one because it is actually how girl's think when they move to a new place.

when i was in third grade my teacher read my class this book and i thought it was going to be one of those boring books they usually read. well actually, it was really cool! my sister is kind of like cleo and i am like amelia. it was real funny and i really want to own that book you peoplez should read it.

This is an excellent example of journal writing. It shows how a journal truly looks. Some students may get distracted though.

Amelia's Notebook is a great book. It is about a nine-year-old girl named Amelia. Her mother gave Amelia a notebook to record her thoughts in. In this notebook, Amelia writes all sorts of things like: her family (especially her older sister, Cleo), her friends, and Amelia draws pictures in her notebook. When her family has to move, Amelia writes about her trip and leaving her best friend. I recommend this book to girls ages 9-12. I hope you read it!

This is my all time favorite Amelia book. I especially like her doodles of cafeteria food in her new school and her dumb sister Chloe and her nice friend, Nadia. This is the best book. I've read it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh. Some other diarys which are good are THE DIARY OF A SLAVE GIRL, RUBY JO, THE DIARY OF PATIENCE WHIPPLE, and one boy diary called THE JOURNAL OF LEROY JONES.

the best and funniest of the 3 archie and mehitabel books offered period how could you not love a book written by a cockroach on a typewriter by slamming his head on the keys one at a time and skipping punctuation and capitalization of letters because comma well comma archie is a cockroach with a not so big reach and only one head to slam keys with period what would you leave out if you were in his same situation question mark
much is still relevent today comma especially the references to the scopes monkey trial period
and mehitabel comma why comma the song of mehitabel is simply one of the funniest poems ever written period garrison keiller lists it in his book good poems period

When I was in high school, ovefr sixty years ago, I used to read Dan Marquis clever column in, I think, the New York World Telegram and found it a fascinating piece of imagination. Coming back to it now, nothing has changed. In telling the story of the typewriting cockroach and the wayward cat he touches, with great humour, so many of our human foibles and hopes too.

It's a bit of a stretch for todays kids, but I think they can imagine a mechanical typewriter and once they get a hold of this the fantasy should grab them.

A classic book from an author who thoiught outside the box - you'll love it.

Anyone who hasn't read Don Marquis' stories of the adventures of Archie and Mehitabel, have missed what is doubtless one of the world's greatest pieces of humorous literature. These stories delve into history to pull out hysterically humorous aspects of incidents regarding such characters as Cleopatra, and apply them to the lowly day-to-day events in the lives of a cockroach who operates a typewriter, a cat that complains she cannot understand why she is blessed with so many of those damned kittens, and a dead rat that receives glorious last rites by being filed in an alley ash can. No words can do justice to Don Marquis' fantastic imagination and his equally fantastic sense of humor. Anyone who misses this work is to be pitied! A. D. Holcombe

This is classic humor - and even though it is nearly 100 years old, this is still funny and interesting. In fact, Mehitabel's refrain has become my mantra: "wotthehell wotthehell toujours gai I always say, there's life in the old girl yet."

Never fails to delight. Enjoyable reading. Mayhem in an antique shop is no match for the feline with more than the usual amount of whiskers.

With the third installement in The Cat Who...series this is by far the funniest.

With his new assignment in junktown, learning all about antiques and the dealers that come with it Qwill stumbbles onto what looks like another odd murder mystery. Once his mustache starts twiching and his partners, KoKo and Yum, start their usual shenanigans Qwill knows for sure he is right. The only thing left for him to do is to figure out which of the colorful characters of junktown could be the culprit.
With even more colorful, fun and way out there characters this book will definitely leave you wanting more and more of Qwill and his furry gang of friends. Next on the list is The Cat Who Saw Red.

Always great listening to a Braun mystery narrated by the talented George Guidall.

In the 3rd book in The Cat Who...series, James Qwilleran (aka "Qwill"), is working on assignment in the features department as a newsman for the Daily Fluxion. Returning to writing for a paper after an absence of several years, he has gotten his life back together and sobered up. In the previous book, he had been assigned to writing a weekly magazine style insert titled "Gracious Abodes" that focused on the world of interior design. Having survived that assignment, Qwill is back writing features, and is excited about the prospect of winning a prize in the Fluxion's annual writing contest. He hears about a nearby town called Junktown from a cabbie, and decides to write a piece about what he assumes is a crime-ridden area. Instead, he finds that Junktown is a hotbed of antique dealers, and he quickly finds a room to rent in the town while writing a story about antiques. He learns that the tenant who occupied his room previously had died in a suspicious manner, and Qwill begins to investigate the curious characters in Junktown. Qwill meets Iris Cobb in this installment, starting a lengthy friendship that will last long into future books set in Moose County.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time. This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall. More of Qwill's background is explained, and it was interesting to revisit how Qwill met Mrs. Cobb, and her son, Dennis who later renovates the apple barn he lives in. For those that have not read the series, I do recommend reading the first several first. Many others can be intermixed, but this book offers good insight to some of the characters that show up later in the series. This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!

In the 3rd book in The Cat Who...series, James Qwilleran (aka "Qwill"), is working on assignment in the features department as a newsman for the Daily Fluxion. Returning to writing for a paper after an absence of several years, he has gotten his life back together and sobered up. In the previous book, he had been assigned to writing a weekly magazine style insert titled "Gracious Abodes" that focused on the world of interior design. Having survived that assignment, Qwill is back writing features, and is excited about the prospect of winning a prize in the Fluxion's annual writing contest. He hears about a nearby town called Junktown from a cabbie, and decides to write a piece about what he assumes is a crime-ridden area. Instead, he finds that Junktown is a hotbed of antique dealers, and he quickly finds a room to rent in the town while writing a story about antiques. He learns that the tenant who occupied his room previously had died in a suspicious manner, and Qwill begins to investigate the curious characters in Junktown. Qwill meets Iris Cobb in this installment, starting a lengthy friendship that will last long into future books set in Moose County.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time. This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall. More of Qwill's background is explained, and it was interesting to revisit how Qwill met Mrs. Cobb, and her son, Dennis who later renovates the apple barn he lives in. For those that have not read the series, I do recommend reading the first several first. Many others can be intermixed, but this book offers good insight to some of the characters that show up later in the series. This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!

I first recieved this book after Shelly Gill spoke at my elementary school when I was in 3rd grade. It was my favorite book! It is a fun-loving story, and it has very engaging pictures.I would reccomend this to children everywhere...
Side Note: I love this book so much that I am using it as part of one of my College reports!

Danger the Yard Dog Cat was Dangerously Extreme. It is about a cat named Danger & he lives with 57 Huskies! Thanks for the autograph, Shelley Gill.

I give this book four stars. It`s great and really funny! I don`t give it five stars because it is too easy for me. It should be for kids ages 4-6. I recommend this book for kids who like cats.

I like the book Danger the Dog Yard Cat. I recommend this book to you because it tells you about a cat that raced in the Iditarod. The pictures are funny. This book is half true and half make believe. This book is about a cat that gets saved by a dog sled racer that has a lot of dogs. The Cat has to race for the dog leader because he hurt his paw. Danger had one friend that was a dog, and his name was Mud shark.

Danger the Dog Yard Cat was one of the best books I've ever read because it's funny with a very catchy ending. Shelley Gill is funny and cool.