Book Review and Give-Away:Simon's Cat Off to the Vet And Other Cat-astrophes

Making the rounds throughout the Cat blogging circuit is the latest endeavor by Simon Tofield:

There isn't a cat in the world that enjoys going to the Vet.  Believe it or not, up until Cody's sudden illness  last Winter I NEVER had trouble bringing him to the Vet, but my Angel Bobo was another story entirely. Viewing the clever cartoons brought back memories of having to cancel Vet appointments because Bobo wouldn't come out from under the bed!

I am tickled to be one of many bloggers who are featuring Simon Tofield's latest endeavor, Simon's Cat Off to the Vet and Other Cat-astrophes. I have been an enormous fan of all things Simon's Cat  for years! From the 40 short animations on, I just can't get enough of Simon's Cat. I  have a Simon's Cat T-shirt, as well as notebooks! Cody and I are proud to have featured all of the Simon's Cat books on our blog and Simon's Cat Off to the Vet and Other Cat-astrophes is the most-requested subject since the launch of the Simon's Cat YouTube series back in 2007, It is the third of Simon Tofield's Simon's Cat books and the third time we have featured a new Simon's Cat book on our blog!

The two other Simon's Cat illustrated books are:

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos

Simon's Cat vs. The World

I also had the pleasure/honor of  listening to Simon Tofield speak (as well as the complete delight of watching him create illustrations in person), a few years ago at one of the Purina Better With Pets Summits. What a complete and total joy he was!! Having grown up with a world-renowned cartoonist Father, I know first-hand the time it takes as well as the brilliant mind that one must have to be  able to create simple cartoons with NO WORDS, that millions of people can relate to. Many have no conception as to just how difficult that is to accomplish.  Let's not forget the God-given gift of artistic talent as well. The talent/intellect that is necessary to be successful in this type of a creative endeavor is formidable.

Simon's Cat Off to the Vet and Other Cat-astrophes just might relax you the next time you embark on a journey to the vet with your cat(s) ! From illustrations depicting Simon literally taking the cat carrier and attempting to DUMP the cat on the exam table, (admit it, YOU have done that too!),  to the cat grabbing on to their owner as if the owner was velcro, (to avoid the hands of the crazed Vet that invades oh-so-personal spots), Simon's Cat Off to the Vet And Other Cat-astrophes has it all!

While viewing the illustrations I was reminded of the time that Cody was wearing a cone and my husband and I called him "Space Boy." Cody never missed a beat with that cone, even with our dog trying to grab it, every time poor Cody tried to move. 

copyright 2015 Simon Tofield, used with permission by Akashic Books

The above photo depicts the mischief that Simon's Cat gets into when he runs through the Vet visiting all sorts of areas that he is not supposed to be a  part of!

The animated feline sensation beloved worldwide is also sharing its theme with the first-ever full-color Simon's Cat film. The story inspiration for this book and film are discussed by Simon Tofield below:

And...let's not forget the other "Cat-astrophes" in this latest Simon's Cat book! The illustration below is just one of many that will remind you that whatever trials you may experience with your cat(s), you are FAR from alone!!

 It is evident from all of the Simon's Cat creations, that they are all  labors of love, brilliantly orchestrated by an incredibly talented man, who, like the rest of us, simply  LOVES HIS CATS!

copyright 2015 Simon Tofield, used with permission by Akashic Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Simon Tofield is an award-winning animator and cartoonist. He has had a lifelong interest in animals, beginning as a child, when his uncle gave him a plastic pond that quickly filled with wildlife. Simon was given his first cat when he was nine and now has four rescue cats, which are the mischievous inspiration for his work. He is the author of multiple Simon’s Cat books, including Simon’s Cat in Kitten Chaos and Simon’s Cat vs. the World.

SIMON'S CAT OFF TO THE VET..AND OTHER CAT-ASTROPHES BY SIMON TOFIELD
HOT OFF THE PRESSES ON  OCTOBER 29, 2015
240 FUN-FILLED PAGES! AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AND ON AKASHIC BOOKS!!! 

Add this one to your holiday gift-giving list!

GIVE-AWAY!! Our friends at Akashic Books are offering a most GENEROUS GIVE-AWAY!!! FIVE OF OUR READERS WHO ARE 18 AND OVER AND WHO RESIDE IN THE U.S. WILL EACH WIN A COPY OF SIMON'S CAT OFF TO THE VET AND OTHER CAT-ASTROPHES! (An approximate $20 value). Entering is easy, there is only ONE mandatory entry! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway





In full disclosure:I was not compensated for this review and give-away. I was sent a copy of Simon's Cat Off to the Vet and Other Cat-astrophes in exchange for my always honest review. Prizes will be provided by and mailed to the five winners from the publisher, Akashic Books.

Simon's Cat vs. the World: by Simon Tofield: Give-Away

Make room on the coffee table gang! Grab your holiday gift list and be sure to add Simon's Cat vs. the World by Simon Tofield to give to your cat-loving pals!

Photo Courtesy of
Akashic Books

Recently, I was sent a copy of Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos, and as luck would have it, I am one of a number of  cat bloggers who was sent Simon's latest book, Simon's Cat vs. the World,  to share with all of YOU!

Of all of the Simon's Cat books, I believe that this one is my favorite!

Why?

Because "this time it's purr-sonal..."

 Simon's Cat takes on the WORLD!

You will see Simon's cat:

• On "walkies"
• at the vet
• outsmarting Roxie the dog
• sharing (or not!)
• raiding the fridge
• at a Cat Show
• and much, much more!

IN "GLORIOUS FULL COLOR!"

The details of the drawings in this book are some of Tofield's BEST!

Take a look at this video where Simon Tofield demonstrates from start to finish how he colors one of the pages from this book!

Want to draw like Simon?

In the back of the book there are pages that show you how to draw:

•  a Siamese Cat
• a Persian Cat
• a Tabby Cat
• and a Squirrel!

There is also a sticker page in full color so that you can get your Simon's Cat "fix" in every room of your house, on mail, on notepads, lunch bags, wherever you choose!

For those of you living in another realm, that possibly have never heard of Simon's Cat or his owner, Simon Tofield, (I find it hard to believe that such a person exists), here is some background info from Akashic Books.:

SIMON TOFIELD is an award-winning illustrator, animator, and director based in London, England. At the age of nine, Simon received his first kitten, a stray rescued from a farmer's barn. He has had cats ever since. When not attending to his cats' needs, Simon likes painting, reading history books, and spending time in the great British countryside. His Simon's Cat short films have garnered hundreds of millions of views!

GIVE-AWAY!! My friends at Akashic Books have generously offered TWO of my readers that RESIDE IN THE U.S. (and who are 18 or older), the chance to win their own copy of Simon's Cat vs. the World, by Simon Tofield. (A $15.95 value!)

HOW TO ENTER: Easy-peasy! Just leave a comment below telling me you would like to be entered to win the book, that's it!

THE GIVE-AWAY is OPEN NOW and will end on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH AT 5PM EST. THE LUCKY WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th! THE PUBLISHER WILL BE MAILING THE WINNERS THE BOOKS, THIS WAY THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR COPY IN A TIMELY MANNER! 

GOOD LUCK!!

***to those who won my last Simon's Cat book give-away, it is ME who has to mail the books and I haven't been able to do that just yet, rest assured they are COMING! I apologize! (That is why I am having the publisher mail THESE out!)

*** I was sent a copy of Simon's Cat vs. the World for review purposes. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos by Simon Tofield-Enter to Win!

Cody and I are proud to be among a vast array of bloggers who have presented you with the opportunity to win a copy of Simon Tofield's latest book: Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos.

For the one or two people who DON'T know who Simon Tofield is, he is an award-winning illustrator, animator and director at Tandem Films in London.

He has earned fame from his frolicsome and spot-on sense of feline behavior in his short films. His films have now earned him over 280 million views on YouTube!

Now, in addition to the "adorable but anarchic feline" we all love in his videos and books, Simon has added a cuddly new addition to the family, "Simon's Kitten!" The kitten is half the size of Simon's Cat, appears to be sweet and innocent but is actually "double the trouble!"


Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos is the third of his book series. 

Cody and I loved that along with illustrations and humor that never ceases to delight, Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos  features 16 pages of exclusive "How-To" drawings and a removable full-color sticker sheet!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: Tofield captures the idiosyncrasies of these creatures that cat lovers know all too well! It's all about subtle gestures, body language and posturing (tails up! eyes wide! paws out!) as they go about their daily existence, vying for food, attention, and a good place to nap.

Since Simon's Cat is all about the illustrations and there are no language barriers, we are GIVING AWAY ONE COPY OF Simon's Cat In Kitten Chaos TO TWO OF OUR READERS, LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! (A $16 value)

The give-away is open NOW and will end on MONDAY, JUNE 24TH AT 5PM EST.

HOW TO ENTER: LEAVE A COMMENT telling us what your favorite Simon's Cat video is AND be sure we have an email address for you, should you be one of the lucky winners! COMMENTS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH.

GOOD LUCK!