Friday, July 22, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: KITTENS IN 3-D by Yoneo Morita

If you would like a charming pictorial cat book that you could add to your coffee table conversation starters, Kittens in 3-D by Japanese photographer Yoneo Morita would be the purrfect choice.


"Yoneo Morita is well known in Japan for his absolutely adorable photographs of cats and dogs. He uses a technique that emphasizes the animal's nose, making their faces appear more infantile in comparison to their little bodies; this technique is known as "Hanadeka", (which literally means "big nose") and is widely employed in Japanese iconography."

If you are like I was and are wondering exactly what "iconography" is, I found the definition on www.thefreedictionary.com:

"the images and symbolic representations that are traditionally associated with a person or a subject"


KITTENS IN 3-D is the first book to combine Morita's photographs with 3-D technology.


KITTENS IN 3-D  actually comes with a 3-D view-finder which didn't work for me. They do list detailed instructions in the book pertaining to exactly how to use the view-finder. I think it is because I wear reading glasses that I didn't get the full 3-D effect.


 I viewed the photos with and without my reading glasses so the problem could definitely be with my eyes and not the photos or the view-finder!


Not every image in this book is three-dimensional, which will allow you to enjoy the photos as I did, with or without the view-finder.


The photos are exquisitely charming and regardless of the 3-D effect working for me or not, the kittens seem to leap off of the page in their clarity.


Some of the breeds featured in this photographic gem, are the Scottish Fold, American Shorthair, Munchkin, Maine Coon, Ragdoll and many more.


KITTENS IN 3-D is also peppered with interesting quotes from Lewis Carroll and Truman Capote, just to name a few. One of my favorite quotes that is featured in the book is:


"If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat."-Mark Twain


If you enjoy looking at superb photos of rough and tumble, frolicking kittens in a variety of interesting scenarios, learning about different breeds of cats and are a lover of quotes about cats, then KITTENS IN 3-D is a book you will definitely want to get your paws on!




To purchase click here




ISBN: 9780062039576; ISBN10: 0062039571; Imprint: Harper Design ; On Sale: 6/21/2011; Format: Hardcover; Trimsize: 7 X 8 1/4; Pages: 96; $16.99; Ages: 18 and Up; BISAC1:PET003000






In full disclosure, I was not compensated in any way for this review. I was sent a copy of KITTENS IN 3-D to read and review. 












28 comments:

  1. Aunty Caren,
    The books sounds very "un-putdownable". har har har *evil laughs*

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  2. She should take photos of Hamlet. I'll send him over to her!

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  3. Well...my mammy could not read without her glasses!
    Thanks for the review, and that kitty in the cover book is so cute!
    Happy weekend for you all,
    Luna and mommy Léia

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  4. It's a most interesting concept!!! I think this is the first 3-D pictorial book I've come across!! Yay that the subjects are kitties!! Thanks for the review and the info! Take care
    x

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  5. Sounds like one book I'd like to check out. Thanks for mentioning it.

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  6. Mom love his works, and she didn't know he used the technique ! Mom try to do with my photo too but never successful and look cute like he does but she used to get one photo of me..Very closed but mom didn't use any technique on her camera, but I did : ) I moved a little bit, so the picture got blur a little bit. But it look like I have big nose and so cute !

    We love to see inside of his book, Must be awesome ! Thank you Caren, to tell us about " Hanadeka "

    xoxo

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  7. We don't know how mum could have let us miss your Wednesday post - we laughed at the nip string of sausages but we bet it was great fun Cody. The 3 D kitten book looks great.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  8. @Hannah and Lucy lol!!! I am so glad you liked it! After seeing your nip fest yesterday I knew you had to see it!

    @Mr.Puddy OMG you take the BEST photos of Puddy that you could make your OWN book!! (hint, hint!!) :) xoxoxo

    @Diane you are welcome! Glad you liked it!

    @Old kitty so glad you liked it too!

    @Luna and Leia I really think the fact that I read w/glasses made the viewers not work for me! You have a happy weekend too!

    @EVERYONE! Glad you enjoyed the review!

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  9. The book looks adorable. I find my distance glasses sometimes make effects challenging to view.

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  10. My Horde says they are all the 3-D cats I need. Although the book looks VERY cool!

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  11. What a cool idea! TY for passing it on. Happy weekend, furriends!

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  12. Kittens...in 3-D -- squeeee??? IDK, but kittens in any book makes it a great one. MOL.

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  13. Hey Caren and Cody! Just popping all over the blogosphere today to say HEY to all who will be attending BLOGPAWS!

    I wanted to say Hello and touch base with you before BLOGPAWS.

    Me- Carm and my Crazy Cat Man Randy will be there and I wanted to be sure to get to know each of the folks going a bit better before the BIG EVENT!

    Our Website: http://cclcarm.blogspot.com/ I have to admit that between my various interests online I don't always get to comment on blogs as much as I would like to... Or it just gets all redundant and meaningless...

    Our little bio is: We live in Buffalo, NY. Back in 1997 a black stray cat-Puffy came to us and made us her PURRsons. We fell head over heels in love with her and that next fall 1998 adopted 2 barn kittens littermate brothers- Sunny & Moony. The next spring 1999 there was a darling longhaired barnkitten Furby-same momcat as Sun & Moon. Before long I was online looking at cat breeds and feel in love with Maine Coons- Furby looks like one. I found a local breeder and adopted Candy-Fall 1999 who I just found out is the COVERGIRL on the new ICHC Wall Calendar, then Tommy-winter 2000, then Joy- Fall 2000 who was our momcat- who had 4 kittens and our keeper is Pride born in late 2001. We are all senior cats now and Puffy and Sunny have already left us to be with all the cat gods and goddesses.

    I look forward to meeting you at BLOGPAWS! Please do keep in touch! XO CC & 6GR8CATS

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  14. That sounds like a pretty neat book. Thanks for the review, and for explaining Mr. Morita's technique. :)

    Have a great weekend, Caren, Cody and Dakota!

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  15. @8GR8LOLCATS that is GREAT that you guys will all be attending BLOGPAWS! Wooo hooo! I look forward to meeting you! this will be great! I try to read your blog as often as I can but I am guilty of not getting around to all of them too so I thank you for stopping by! This will be fantastic! I enjoy seeing the photos of your babies so much!

    @meowmeowmans you are most welcome! You have a great weekend too!

    @The Whiskeratti thank you and happy weekend to all of you too!

    @Everyone, Mom is tired so if she didn't comment to each of you she is sorry!!! We do read each and every comment and love each and every one of you!

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  16. Ooo how cool!
    Caren and Cody have a great weekend!

    purrs
    >^,,^<
    ♥Abby♥

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  17. oooh that is too cool!
    purrr and what a cute kitten.

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  18. Cute kitten but my Human says I am 3-D enough for her, MOL!!

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  19. The book sounds so interesting!! It's 3D and what is better is kittens in 3D!
    I like Hanadeka photos, too :-)

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  20. Kitties in 3D? Almost as good as having one right there to love on.
    xoxox

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