Cat Book Feature: The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats (Compiled by Anita Kelsey)

 "The Little Book of Extraordinary Cats" (Compiled by Anita Kelsey), pays homage to Anita's cat Zara, who passed at the age of 15. She had a rare form of cancer, a leg amputation and other medical issues that popped up. Zara was dearly loved. All 15 stories in this book represent the 15 wonderful years of Zara's life.

"Discover the captivating world of fabulous felines in The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats. Join Anita Kelsey on a journey through fifteen remarkable tales celebrating the courage, resilience and affection of our beloved feline companions,

 from pioneering space traveller Félicette to therapy cat London Meow.  The book features colour photos of all cats.

 Whether you’re a cat lover or seeking heart-warming stories of human-animal connections, this book is a must-read.

 The collection in this book was put together by UK behaviourist Anita Kelsey, who runs a vet-referred behaviour practice for cats. This is Anita’s third book - her other books are Claws, Confessions Of A Cat Groomer published by John Blake and Let’s talk About Cats which was self published."

 MY THOUGHTS:

While I enjoyed this book, many of the stories and the cats featured I was quite familiar with. Run-of-the-mill cat lovers might not be, but seasoned cat parents (as many of you are), might have heard of many of these extraordinary cats from the news, Animal Planet, etc. While I enjoyed the book, I would have preferred reading at least a few stories submitted by random people or even Anita herself. 

My favorite stories in this book are:

Dusty: The One Who Stole From Neighbors (Chapter 2)

Casper: The One Who Loved Buses (Chapter 4)

Stubbs: The One Who Became Honorary Mayor (Chapter 7)

Oliver: The One Who Enchanted a Whole Town (Chapter 9)

While those were my favorites, there are eleven other stories as well as many, many honorable mentions of other cats which I am confident most cat lovers would greatly enjoy.

.

Release date: 2^nd June 2024 via Amazon worldwide

Format; Kindle / paperback and hardback

Publisher: Self published – KiZa publishing

Social media links:

Insta https://www.instagram.com/cat_behaviourist/

X - https://twitter.com/catbehaviourist

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/catbehaviourist/

Linked in - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-kelsey-cat-behaviourist-27320016/

FTC Disclosure: I received no compensation for featuring this book. I received a copy of the book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

 

Dog/Pet Book Feature: Peace, Love, Paws; A Memoir By Elizabeth Parker

 

I have had the pleasure of reading a number of books by Elizabeth Parker. Sadly, ALL of those books were featured on Dakota's blog which no longer exists. You can find information about the MANY books Elizabeth has written by clicking here.

In honor of the fourth anniversary of our beloved Dakota's passing, (July 9th, 2020), when Elizabeth approached me about reading Peace, Love, Paws: A Memoir, I thought featuring it by the anniversary  of his crossing the bridge would be a wonderful way to honor him.

From Elizabeth Parker:

"Grieving a pet is just like grieving a person, except there's no ceremony celebrating their life. That doesn't mean you can't celebrate their life on your own or with loved ones.
Pets are a part of the family. And sometimes the pain of loss is overbearing. You have been their caregiver and they have been a loyal companion. Chances are you had a daily routine involving your pet, and now that routine has disappeared. At times, it's heartbreaking. But there will be a point when you can look back and smile, grateful that you had experienced the precious moments with your pet.
Peace, Love, Paws chronicles my time with Lola. My furry soulmate who taught me so much about life and how to keep enough love in my heart for other pups who need a home."

While Peace, Love, Paws: A Memoir is a book written exclusively about dogs, it is a book that ALL pet lovers can relate to.

When an individual brings a pet into their family whether through adoption/rescue or yes, even acquiring their pet from a breeder, they are signing on to hopefully many, many years of  creating happy memories. Sadly, with good also comes bad. Life happens. When one loves they also are setting themselves up for great hurt which is sadly what we all experience when we lose a pet. Sometimes the loss happens after many, many years together, sometimes, as unfair as it is to experience, the loss can happen in months, or just a short number of years.

"The heart loves in many ways :people, places, creatures of all kinds. The soul knows when it meets its mate. That kind of meeting is never forgotten or taken for granted."

When author Elizabeth Parker adopted her "heart dog" Lola, while she experienced more love with Lola than she could ever have hoped for, it all ended much too soon. This book shares her two years spent with Lola. It also conveys "who Lola was, what she could have been, and all she could have done."

QUOTES THAT RESONATED WITH ME:

"They never truly leave us. The memories are tattooed in our minds and our hearts."

"You don't realize just how much your dog is smiling until they are no longer smiling."

"Grief is not a one size fits all emotion. It's more than ok to grieve a pet in whatever way you see fit., and there's no time limit. However you deem appropriate to mourn them, is what you must do. What works for one person might not work for another."

"Time doesn't wait for us. If you have a pet, love it with all of your heart. Where there are paws, there is always peace and love."

Peace, Love, Paws: A Memoir by Elizabeth Parker is a worthwhile read for all who have ever given their heart and soul to their pet. To get your paws on a copy, see below:

TO PURCHASE VISIT:

www.elizabeth-parker.com

FTC Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for featuring this book. I received a copy to read and feature on the blog.

Children's Cat Book: "BURT THE AIRPORT CAT" Written and Illustrated by Christine Henry

 

FROM THE AUTHOR: "This is my first book in a series, which I’ve written and illustrated, and  all my illustrations are watercolour, not digital.  This is a cats adventure story.   Burt is a black cat about to embark on a family adventure. But at the airport, he is separated from his family and accidentally left behind to fend for himself. Burt is a curious cat by nature, and decides to take advantage of his new surroundings and explore the airport. He meets new friends, Valkyrie, Scout, and the Padre, and samples local cuisine as well. The kindness of his friends is remarkable and enduring. Will he ever reunite with his family? Join him on his quest to learn more."

"The moral of the tale is kindness,  friendship and acceptance as Burt is a black cat. Regardless of his colour, parents can talk to their children about diversity and demystify the superstition associated with black cats." 

FROM CAT AND DOG CHAT WITH CAREN: A darling book with lovely illustrations. Burt meets all kinds of people and animals while stranded at the airport. They all offer him help and hope until he is reunited with his family. This is a cute book that little ones will enjoy, would make a great gift for the holidays!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

BOOK FEATURE: The Cat's Meow (How Cats Evolved from the SAVANNA to YOUR SOFA) by Jonathan B. Losos

 FROM CAT AND DOG CHAT WITH CAREN: Why is this a "book feature" and not a bona fide review? Because to be quite honest, I didn't get a quarter of a way through this 350+ page tome! As a result, I am going to share the press release below and interject a few things from the pages that I DID read. The Cat's Meow will definitely require A LOT of spare time to read (I definitely hope to finish it in the not-too-distant future), one can ever have enough information/insights about cats, their origin and their future. It is one of those books where you can read the chapter titles and zero in on the ones that are of particular interest to you if you do not have time to read the entire book. You could return to other chapters at a later time).

This May, Viking is thrilled to publish THE CAT’S MEOW: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa (on-sale May 3, 2023) from leading evolutionary biologist Jonathan B. Losos. Cats may be the most popular pet on the planet—in fact, as I write this, one of my two cats is begging for food (classic)—but they still seem to have only one paw out of the wild. In this illuminating book, Losos reveals the past, present, and future of our feline companions.

 

In the vein of books that dig deep into the biology of one species, such as The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson and The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman, THE CAT’S MEOW puts domestic cats under the spotlight. Since its evolutionary origins in Africa, the cat has been transformed in comparatively little time into one of the most successful and diverse species on the planet. Jonathan Losos, writing as both a scientist and a cat lover, explores how researchers today are unraveling the secrets of the cat.

 

In a genial voice, Losos explores new scientific investigations into the present and past, from research on cat territoriality and predation, to DNA studies of Egyptian cat mummies. He also touches on the future, and the repercussions of the manipulation of evolution by cat breeders. How has selection, both natural and artificial, over the last several millennia shaped the contemporary cat, with new breeds vastly different in anatomy and behavior from their ancestral stock? THE CAT’S MEOW seeks to explain all this, and is full of interesting facts such as:

 

Each cat probably has its own meows that he/she uses in different situations. Cats may have even evolved to meow and purr because human auditory systems prefer high-pitched sounds.

 

Despite popular belief, cats are not loners! In dense cat populations, cats live in social groups and behave amicably with fellow group members – grooming, rubbing, and cuddling—just like lions.

 

The earliest evidence of humans and cats associating comes from graves found on Cyprus from about 9,500 years ago. By about 3,500 years ago, cats were household pets in ancient Egypt.

FROM CAT AND DOG CHAT WITH CAREN: Here are a few facts that I took away from the book as well:

"if you can read the expressions and body posture of your cat, you can understand what a lion or tiger is thinking."

"the African wildcat is the species from which domestic cats arose."

"cats are not objects. They're living, sentient beings, and we certainly interact with them as such. (The author goes on to say) "for this reason I will not use "it" in reference to a cat. To avoid using "he", "she", or similarly awkward conventions, I'll alternate between referring to generic cats as females in even-numbered chapters and males in odd-numbered chapters. Of course when discussing specific, real cats, I will refer to them according to their real sex."

AUTHOR BIO: Jonathan B. Losos is an evolutionary biologist at Washington University and the founding director of the Living Earth Collaborative, a unique biodiversity center and partnership between Washington University, the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden. He was previously a professor of biology at Harvard and a curator at the university’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. He has won awards from the National Academy of Sciences, the Society for the Study of Evolution, and the American Society of Naturalists.

 

PRAISE:

"If you have ever lived with a feline long enough to reach an accommodation, you’ve probably asked yourself: Am I training the cat, or is the cat training me? That question is a gateway to the labyrinth of fascinating riddles explored by Jonathan Losos—himself a lifelong ailurophile as well as an eminent  evolutionary biologist—in this engaging and very smart book." – David Quammen, author of The Song of the Dodo and Breathless

“The Cat’s Meow by Jonathan Losos is an impressive and enlightening deep dive into how our beloved feline companions found their way into our hearts and homes. Recommended reading for all cat lovers.” – Pam Johnson-Bennett, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and author of Catwise, Cat vs. Cat, and Think Like a Cat
 
“A fascinating, evidence-based look at how we have lived with cats for thousands of years - with an eye on where our relationship with cats might go in the future. The Cat's Meow is an engaging journey through cat evolution and domestication.” – Mikel Delgado, Ph.D, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
 
"What does the future hold for humankind’s other best friend? Reaching back into the evolutionary history of the cat family, brought right up to date with the emergence of new breeds and hybrids, this fascinating book deserves to be on every cat-lover's nightstand." –John Bradshaw, author of Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM MAY 3RD 2023!!

In Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy to feature on the blog. I was not given financial compensation.

Cat Book:Heavenly Headbutts: Reflections of Hope and Cats and Eternity by Allia Zobel Nolan

 Inspirational New Book asks “Will I see my cat in heaven?”

"After she lost three aging cats in the space of a year and a half, bestselling author Allia Zobel Nolan needed a resource that could soothe the gut-wrenching loss and at the same time elicit hope. She couldn’t find what she was looking for. So, she wrote a book that would help her and other cat lovers grieve with an expectation that their cat’s story was not at an end. Heavenly Headbutts: Reflections of Hope about Cats and Eternity is 90 pages of affirming scripture, engaging photographs, and short anecdotes and opinions by the author and everyone from Isaiah to C. S Lewis, to George MacDonald and James Harriot. The book questions whether the same animals who were our soulmates on earth will share our lives in some form or another in the hereafter."

 “My wish,” says Zobel Nolan, “is that Heavenly Headbutts will pull a soft coverlet of hope over the hearts of those who’ve lost a beloved pet so they can put one foot in front of the other and step out in faith.” But the book is not just for those grieving. “It encourages thoughtful reflection and holds out joyous expectation to all cat lovers that their cat’s story is not finite. It will last forever.” Can Zobel Nolan confirm unequivocally that readers will hear sweet sounding purrs and feel the gentle headbutts of their cats in the hereafter? “I provide the reassurance,” says the author, “but it’s up to you to judge.” 

FROM CAT AND DOG CHAT WITH CAREN:

I was excited to receive this book after having reviewed a couple other books by Allia Zobel Nolan. While the quotes/photographs didn't disappoint, being Jewish, I didn't expect the religious emphasis that this book would have. (Since most of you are not Jewish who are reading this, there are parts you will be able to relate to much better than I could.)

That being said, here are parts of the book that resonated with me:

"Our cats may be gone from this world physically. But I believe their spirits, the life glow God breathed into them at Creation, is still alive--in some shape or form. I believe their stories are not over yet. There are more hijinks, headbutts, and yes, even hairballs, awaiting us when we meet Cat again in the New Heaven and New Earth God has promised."

While Heavenly Headbutts wasn't quite what I had expected it to be, (what I expected I am not 100% sure, but I thought it would dwell more on our feelings when we lose a beloved pet, etc.), it is still a worthwhile read. Once again, those of you who appreciate a strong biblical reference based on Christianity, you will appreciate the book immensely. While I consider myself to be spiritual, I am not as familiar with the Bible as many of you probably are.

The book is currently available on Amazon in print and eBook editions: https://tinyurl.com/ycwbk4r6. It retails for $13.99.

About the Author Allia Zobel Nolan is the author of over 150 traditionally published titles. Her books reflect two main passions: God and cats. Recent titles include Cat Confessions: A Kitty-Come-Clean Tell-All Book, The Worrywart’s Prayer Book, winner of the gold medal first place 2022 Indie Book Award for Christian NonFiction; Laugh Out Loud:40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now...Before We Forget, finalist in the 2019 Indie Book Awards for Humor, and many other award-winning titles. She lives and writes in New England with her husband, Desmond, their two fur babies, Nolan Nolan and Colleen Fiona Shannon, and their recently adopted shelter dog, Miss Kitty. Learn more at www.AlliaWrites.com.

"Let's Talk About Cats:Conversations On Feline Behavior" by Anita Kelsey #LetsTalkAboutCats

 "A Wealth of Fascinating Cat Facts and Tips"

FROM AMAZON.COM: "features 16 unique in-depth conversations with devoted feline experts, each chapter answering a question about our cats. An abundance of catty conversation points with many useful takeaways for cat owners to improve their own every-day connection with their cats.

This book, the first of its kind, presents the combined wisdom of experts from all over the world on the psychology, behaviour, diet and training of cats, in a relaxed and conversational style.Contributors include Jackson Galaxy, star of My Cat From Hell and composer David Teie,whose ground-breaking album, Music for Cats, was released by the Universal Music Group.Each illuminating chapter exudes a love for cats and a wealth of fascinating insights.

This book also includes advice and real case studies that offer the author’s own professional guidance on cat care topics, explaining the most important cat concepts, giving food for thought and expanding on all the most important issues and debates in the cat world."

Just when you think you have read it all in reference to caring about, caring for and bonding with your cat, you discover you indeed have NOT read it all! Such was the case when I was sent the book "Let's Talk About Cats: Conversations On Feline Behavior by Cat Behaviorist, Anita Kelsey. There is ALWAYS something NEW to learn!

FROM THE AUTHOR: "All cat lovers can say, with hands on hearts, that we've had our lives changed by cats. Cats are masters at weaving their way into the very core of our souls without changing many of their own distinct characteristics"

Author Anita Kelsey's work with cats started ten years ago when she experienced the death of a close friend. She had never experienced grief like that before. She says, "The truth is that cats  saved me."

She continues: "the book itself is not only about cats but also our relationship with them. I hope within its pages the reader will discover a variety of perspectives and approaches that will help them find something new in the relationships they enjoy with their darling mogs."

The conversations with the featured cat experts (one of our favorites, Kate Benjamin of Hauspanther is also featured in this book in the section that involves Catification.), make you feel as if you are sitting on a comfy couch in the company of these wise souls, listening to the years of wisdom that they share on these pages in a warm and professional way. Author Anita Kelsey's knowledge of and love for cats shines throughout the pages of this book. It is a worthy addition to the library of any cat lover.

Each chapter is divided by topic, some of the topics are

• Do Cats Like Music?
• Can Our Cats Talk To Us?
• Do Cats Grieve?
• Can Cats Communicate Telepathically?
• and  many, many more!

The book also includes advice featured in a box called "A Catty Sum Up" and true stories, "Cat Chat",  that offer the author's own professional guidance on cat care topics  explaining the most important cat concepts,  that encourage one to think about and expand upon the most important issues and debates in the cat world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anita Kelsey holds a first class honours degree in Feline Behavior and Psychology (work based BA Hons) and runs a vet referral service dedicated strictly to the diagnosis and treatment of behavior problems in cats. She is also a qualified cat groomer and specializes in grooming aggressive or phobic cats. Anita writes for Your Cat Magazine and is on their expert panel answering reader's questions on cat grooming. She also advises on feline behaviour for the Canine and Feline Behaviour magazine as well as being a full member. A strong advocate of a vegan lifestyle, Anita is based in London but consults all over the UK and internationally. She is also the author of Claws, Confessions of A Professional Cat Groomer published by John Blake.

Visit the author's website www.catbehaviourist.com

Follow Anita Kelsey:

Twitter @catbehaviourist

Instagram: cat_behaviourist

Facebook: www.facebook.com/catbehaviourist

Mailing list: www.catbehaviourist.com/subscribe

Available on Amazon, click here

Cat Coloring Book! Lazy-Ass Cats, A Coloring Book for Adults! (Snoozing & Boozing Kitties to Color and Relax)

"Adult coloring books are one of the hottest trends in publishing right now. Nielsen Bookscan estimates that 12 million of the books were sold in the United States last year, a 1200% increase over the year before."

When I received an email back in 2016 asking if I would be interested in reviewing the coloring book for adults, Lazy-Ass Cats (Snoozing & Boozing Kitties to Color and Relax),  I IMMEDIATELY said yes based on the title alone.

The title completely cracked me up. It is HILARIOUS and right up my alley! Snarky humor is my thing and this coloring book intrigued me. Not to mention,  Cody,  is BEYOND lazy. This book had our names written all over it!

The coloring on the left
was done by me!

The Kickstarter campaign  has earned pledges seven times larger than the original fundraising goal!! 

 

Created by Lindsay Conner, she is  "blown away" by the public response, "I thought it might be popular, but I had no idea how friends, family, and strangers would rally behind this idea."

FROM LINDSAY CONNER:"I love my cat Murph. But, let's face it. He's a lazy ass. I guess that's why I got another cat that acts just like him, but she's a girl. I just love 'em. I scratch their little feline faces after they've done nothing worthwhile all day. I top off their food bowl with expensive new kibble, even when there's plenty there. When I just want to lay on the couch at the end of the day, having battled toddler tantrums, endless errands, and freelance deadlines, I leave a spot on the cushy blanket, right on top of my tired legs, for the laziest members of our family."

"I have to admit that I often get stressed out by crazy-detailed coloring pages. I treat them like a chore that has to be done, rather than a blank canvas to be explored. That's why these designs are straight to the point, and not overly complicated. Use your own shading on these cute line drawings, add your own details, and draw in your own cats if you'd like."

 This page was colored by me and as Lindsay said above, I was able to shade the cat the way that I wanted it to appear. Because I had time, I added more shading throughout. She suggests using colored pencils, but my preferred medium happens to be markers!! The markers I used for this coloring page came from  an amazing pack of markers that I had bought at Ace Hardware (of all places!!).  The price for them was $25 and they were worth every penny!

There are 40 adorable and clever coloring pages in this book.  I LOVE  that there are NO BACK-TO-BACK DESIGNS....(when you use markers as I do, that is ESPECIALLY GOOD!!! So there is no bleeding through on the page behind the page you are coloring.)  The designs are printed on crisp, thick paper.

The page you see above I also colored, but I rushed coloring it much more than I did on the one you saw further up the page. I still was able to give it some of my own "personal touches." I just love this book! Some of the pages have quotes, some do not.  Some pages have wryer humor, other pages are sweeter. There is a mix of vertical and horizontal photos which was a conscious decision by Lindsay, so that people coloring would not get bored.  Lazy-Ass Cats is "the coloring book for people who don't like to color", cat lovers, and those who might THINK they won't like to color, but wait...they will!!

While MY "lazy ass cat" is doing what HE does BEST, (being LAZY!!)  YOU can visit LazyAssCats.com to download free bonus coloring pages! And....Lindsay is offering our readers 20% OFF of THEIR PURCHASE!!! Just use code PURR20 at checkout. Hurry!! The offer will expire July 30, 2017!! These will make GREAT GIFTS!!

Lindsay Conner is the owner of two lovable rescue cats named Murph and Chloe, whose hobbies include lounging on laps, blocking the DVR, and petitioning for treats, Lindsay is the author of two non-fiction sewing books, and an editor for Frommer's travel guides. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she attended Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, and currently lives in Nashvillle, TN.

 Persimmon Books: Launched in 2016, Persimmon Books exists to create and distribute content that celebrates the lighter side of life, with a focus on adult coloring books, novelty, and gift items.

Book Review: "The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey, A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary" By Deborah Barnes (And A Give-Away!)

How do I even attempt to complete a task as "ordinary" as a book review and make it "extraordinary?"

How do you take an act as simple and "ordinary" as reading a book and turn it into an "extraordinary" experience?

The answers to those questions can be found by reading The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey, an "extraordinary"  story which not only chronicles
Author Deborah Barnes' life, but the lives of two of her seven cats;  Zee, her adorable and lovable male Maine Coon and Zoey her female "wild-child leopard inspired Bengal cat, who fell madly, deeply in love." The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey is  the first (of what I am certain will be many) books by Author Deborah Barnes.

I was one of a few lucky individuals who was offered a "sneak peek" of Deb's manuscript this past summer. I had the additional honor of supplying a comment for the back cover:

"The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey are a treasure, simply enchanting, captivating and engrossing, both as a true story the author shares about her life with her feline clan, and as a visual masterpiece of stunning photographs and delightful artwork. They say animals are drawn to those who emit a "blue light" and Deb must have this aura radiating from her like a floodlight because she doesn't just WRITE about her love for her cats, she LIVES it as well. Because of this innate understanding she has for this beloved species and the trust they have for her; she is able to translate the most ordinary of everyday life events into a story that is nothing less than extraordinary!"

Webster defines the word "ordinary" as being "common, an everyday occurrence, unremarkable."

There are literally scads of books about cats on the market.  That in itself is "ordinary."

How does one take a common topic,  one's life with cats, and make it "extraordinary?"  Webster defines  "extraordinary" as  "going beyond what is usual, regular, customary." He defines it further as "exceptional to a very marked extent."

The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey ARE "exceptional to a very marked extent."

- What is the likelihood that you will lose your job after dedicating most of your adult life to it?

-What is the likelihood of turning that "ordinary" yet devastating experience into a life-changing extraordinary journey?

-What is the likelihood that a cat who is not one of the namesakes of this story being the reason this story exists?  That cat would be Deborah's beloved cat "Kit"  who as Deborah says "without her, this tale would surely never exist."

-What is the likelihood that you will have two cats living in your home who "fall in love" and proceed to have the most amazing kittens stirring in  YOU a feral, protective instinct and love the magnitude of which you would never have believed was possible?

-What is the likelihood that  your own life's story would run parallel to that of your cats? YOU  meet the "man of your dreams" (which translates to "he loves ME AND he loves CATS!"), and he is a photographic genius to boot?

-What is the likelihood of  "ordinary" acts such as watching the  The Ellen Show and learning about Oprah's "vision board"  resonating with you so powerfully that they  inspire you to begin to make monumental life changes?

 -What is the likelihood of embarking on and completing the daunting task of writing a book about your life, replete with lessons learned, as a result of observing and making sense of the behavior  of your beloved feline family?

 -What is the likelihood of writing  in such a descriptive, loving and insightful way that the reader feels your pain, laughs at some of your hilarious experiences,  gets into your head and can find parallels from your experiences and relate them to their own lives? Not only is this not very likely, it is an "extraordinary" feat.

Deborah Barnes in The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey has taken what to some would be an "ordinary" story and made it an "extraordinary" lesson of life and love.

This book isn't just a "book", certainly not, that would be  completely "ordinary."  This book  is a sumptuous banquet. It is a banquet that will stimulate  your senses.

You will love the feel of this book, it is an ample size, the paper is of superb quality. I am not and never will be a Kindle girl. I need to delight in the sensation of holding  a book in my hands. I even find comfort in the the smell of the paper a book is printed on. The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey more than satisfy those senses.

You will love the look of this book. When I received mine I literally and audibly gasped in awe and delight. It is simply breathtaking. You will be hard pressed to find anything like it.  There are literally hundreds of  Disney-worthy, art museum quality photographs lovingly and masterfully created by Deb's fiancee, Dan Power.

  Each page is bordered by artwork that is both erethral and  whimsical, giving this "real life" story a "fairy tale" flavor. The pages are  simply stunning and captivating,  they are  the brainchild of Deb but superbly executed by Bright Pink Studio. This isn't a book that you will  relegate to the bowels of your bookshelf. It is a book that will wrap itself around you like a warm afghan, it will satisfy your soul while luring you into it's depths of captivating images and literary brilliance, it is a book that GIVES as much as you will want to savor and share it again and again.





That in a nutshell is The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey. And THAT, my friends, is "EXTRAORDINARY"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: "Deborah Barnes currently resides in South Florida and after an unexpected life changing event, she decided to follow her dreams of becoming an author and used the relationship of her cats as inspiration for her first book. She also writes the popular blog, Zee & Zoey's Chronicle Connection, that is a collection of beautiful photos, artwork, and heartfelt stories about her feline crew." You can also visit her exquisite website here.

You may browse The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey,  better yet, you can PURCHASE the book HERE

You may buy The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey on Amazon but if you purchase directly through Deb's site (click HERE ) you will receive your book beautifully wrapped in custom leopard tissue wrap, you will also receive  a Zee & Zoey sticker and a bookmark!   Deb will also provide an inscription,  a personal and keepsake touch, especially if you are presenting the book as a gift!

Deb "rockin'" her  trademark leopard

And...Deb generously offered to give ONE lucky reader of Cat Chat  (U.S. and CANADA only please) their own copy of The Chronicles Of Zee & Zoey!

HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a comment telling me how your cat(s) or dog(s) have made your life go from the "ordinary" to the "extraordinary!" The DEADLINE to enter is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH at 11PM EASTERN. The WINNER will be announced WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30th.

Good luck and make this an "extraordinary" day!

Book Review: "Dear Tabby" By Carolyn Crimi, Illustrations By David Roberts

Dear Tabby is a charming, delightful and humorous  Children's book for ages 4-8. It is "picture book style" and would function perfectly in your bedtime story lineup with a  length of (32 pages).  

"Tabby D. Cat longtime alley resident, has been helping the furry and feathered creatures of Critterville for all nine of her lives. From hamsters to hounds, Tabby's advice column has just the right advice for any pet...but can Tabby find happiness for herself?"

"From Carolyn Crimi and David Roberts comes this hilarious and heartwarming tale of finicky felines, happiness-seeking hounds, and finding your own place to call home".  (www.harpercollinschildrens.com)


The illustrations (by David Roberts) are charming, colorful, and delightful. Being somewhat artistic myself,  they were a large portion of what I loved about this book.

Dear Tabby features letters from a malcontented Tuxedo cat named "Boots" (who is a recurring letter writer to Tabby), a Basset Hound named "Manfred" searching for the key to happiness,  "Pauline Parrot" who has a talking problem,  a groundhog named "Guy" who is cracking under the pressure of having to predict the arrival of Spring, as well as a bevy of others who are all seeking Tabby's sage advice.

Just what advice did Tabby offer? Did "Manfred" find the key to happiness? You will have to read this one to find out!  (Hint, always remember if you don't appreciate what you have in your life and what is around you already, you can guarantee there will be someone else who WILL!!)


TO PURCHASE THIS DELIGHTFUL BOOK: www.amazon.com


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: "Carolyn Crimi is the author of numerous picture books, including BORIS AND BELLA, WHERE'S  MY MUMMY? and DON'T NEED FRIENDS. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York. You can visit her online at  www.carolyncrimi.com"


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: David Roberts is the illustrator of A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL END (just to name a few). He was the runner-up for the prestigious Mother Goose Award for children's illustration.

Book Review by Cody "Who Moved My Mouse? A Self-Help Book For Cats (Who Don't Need Any Help) by Dena Harris

Hi All! It's CODY!! I know you are glad to hear from ME!

Now that the New Year is approaching many of my kitty friends are starting to reflect on their plans, hopes, dreams, favorite mode of destruction and more slick ways for us to think about getting what we want out of life. I am here to help ya out!

 The other day I was going through some of my Mom's books that she hasn't read yet and found Who Moved My Mouse? A book about a mouse? Are you KIDDING ME? Mice are my favorite things in this entire universe (next to meals of course) and I became very curious (I AM a CAT you know!)

I noticed that this book is "A self-help book for cats (who don't need any help)"...well...that would be ME!  This is purrfect! Everyone else is making New Years resolutions and reading self-help books, but not MOI!! I am purrfect just the way I am! I knew I had to pawsitively read this book!

I know that all of you are pretty darned bright out there but in the unlikely case you didn't make the connection, the title Who Moved My Mouse? is a take on the self-help book for humans (who DO need HELP)( Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, M.D.)

Dena and one of her cats "Olivia"

This book is full of fun pawsonality profile quizzes, quotes, exercises (don't get nervous my kitty pals, not the kind that actually makes you get up off of your comfortable perch), tips and lots and lots of laughs! They say it "empowers cats to make the twenty minutes they're awake each day the best twenty minutes of their lives" "Twenty minutes??" Noooo way, it is actually TWENTY FIVE minutes!

Ok, move closer to the screen my furriends and let me tease you with a little nip of what you will find in this fun and informative book!

CHAPTER ONE
 A Cat's Conversations with God, kitties ask questions to God and God answers them, here is an example: CAT: "Then why does "DOG" spelled backward equal "God"? GOD'S REPLY: "that was an oversight on my part. Horrible mistake. Lots of confusion resulting from that one-I'm still trying to sort it out. My apologies."

CHAPTER FIVE
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...But Feel Free to Freak Out Over Anything That Moves Suddenly or Without Warning.
This was actually one of my favorite chapters! It was full of sagacious advice for us kitties such as:

 Practice Random Acts of Kindness (not what you think MOL!)
 Life Isn't Fair-Get Over it
 Purrspective:Will This Matter a Year from Now?
Stop Pointing the Paw of Blame
Stare into Strangers' Eyes and Smile (unblinking, until you Break Them)

There are sooo many valuable tips/hints/tricks in this book that kitties you will be set for all of your nine lives!!I have so many things that I love about this book  that my scent is just marked all over the place! It was hard for me to pick the ones for your pawview that I liked the best.

Let me leave you with my pawsonal fave from the section "How to Avoid Being Punished for Anything, Ever"

Dena and one of her cats "Lucy"

"INVOLVE THE DOG-This ploy is so easy it's almost cruel. Lead the puppy to the (fill in the blank----broken dish, tilled plant, chewed shoe, crashed computer) and invite him to play. Wipe any incriminating cat paw prints from the scene with your tail and assume the "I'm as shocked by this behavior as you are" look when your human enters the room and sees Scout happily rolling in plant dirt."

Come closer kitties, let me whisper in your ear, like the best-selling book The Secret....we kitties have one too! But....you'll have to pawchase the book to find out what it is!


 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dena Harris has been a humor columnist for Cats & Kittens Magazine and contributor to Chicken Soup for the Cat-Lover’s Soul . The author of Lessons in Stalking and For the Love of Cats, Dena lives in Madison, North Carolina with her husband and two cats in a home filled with expensive, never played with cat toys.

 Ten Speed Press (ISBN: 978-1580083560). For more
information on the book and author, visit www.selfhelpforcats.com. You may also purchase Who Moved My Mouse? at amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Indiebound and Powell's Books.        

Book Review: "Cat Coming Home", A Joe Grey Mystery By Shirley Rousseau Murphy

"

Since I started doing book reviews on Cat Chat I have been receiving some unexpected books in the mail that have been sent to me by various publishers.

"Cat Coming Home" was the first of a few of these books that will be periodically featured on Cat Chat.

I saved this one to read for the main reason that the cover had a black cat with various Santas around it, and I thought this would be a good book to feature during the holidays.

What I thought the book would be and what it actually IS are worlds apart! I was mistaken that because there were Santas on the cover that this was a light-weight, fluffy (pun intended) cat book with a  warm and cozy story tucked between it's pages. I couldn't have been more wrong.

"Cat Coming Home" is a mystery. I know a number of you will think I am insane but mysteries are not on the list of my favorite genre of books to read, as a result I kept pushing this one to my "one of my books I will get to later" piles. I am rather an impatient sort (surprise, surprise) who prefers to ponder and get lost in thought when I read, I am not one who cares about "who done it" and frankly most mysteries lose me due to my lack of curiosity. (I would make a lousy cat).

Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Once again my feeling that I would not enjoy this book or have it capture my attention couldn't have been more wrong. It is a generous 354 pages (and as we used to say in school, it wouldn't be a "quick read" because it isn't printed in large type!). I started reading it Friday night and much to my surprise I found myself so engrossed in this mystery that I had nearly finished the entire book by the time I went to bed.

"Cat Coming Home" is one of a series of books featuring an amazing cat (Joe Grey) who has the ability to talk, use the telephone, write (even without opposable thumbs) and a number of his cat friends can do the same. Joe Grey is a detective cat (not many humans know this), and his friends,  Kit, Misto (the Senior kitty of the bunch, a former prison cat) and Dulcie are important links to the solving of this most intriguing mystery.

One of the main characters is Maudie Toola who has left Los Angeles following the horrific murder of her son and his wife (newlyweds). She is returning to her childhood home of Molena Point along with her orphaned grandson (Benny). She is faced with having to raise Benny. It is Christmas time and Maudie is not looking forward to the holidays but knows she must make them the best she can for poor Benny.

What Maudie doesn't know is that the killer has followed her. She also doesn't know that she is under the watchful eye of four cats who aren't your classic "cute" kitties but are brave, intelligent, super sleuths with a gift for sarcasm and the ability to be "at the right place at the right time".

"Cat Coming Home" is riveting, peppered with danger, humor, excitement, strong friendships and new beginnings.

If you like cats (or not) or mysteries (or both),  or if you are like me and normally DON'T like mysteries, give this one a try. It will pull you into the depths of it's pages as it did me.

CAT COMING HOME by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. (William Morrow) ISBN: 9780061806933 is the 16th installment in the award-winning Joe Grey mystery series.

The reading order of the Joe Grey novels is as follows:

Cat on the Edge
Cat Under Fire
Cat Raise the Dead
Cat in the Dark
Cat to the Dogs
Cat Spitting Mad
**Cat on the Money
Cat Laughing Last
Cat Seeing Double
Cat Fear No Evil
Cat Cross Their Graves
Cat Breaking Free
Cat Pay the Devil
Cat Deck the Halls
Cat Playing Cupid
Cat Striking BackCat Coming Home
(from www.joegrey.com)

ABOUT SHIRLEY ROUSSEAU MURPHY: she "has received eight national Cat Writers' Association Awards for best novel of the year, two Cat Writers' President's Awards, the "World's Best Cat Litter-ary Award" in 2006 for the Joe Grey books, and five Council of Authors and Journalists Awards for previous books. She and her husband live in Carmel, California, where they serve as full-time household help for two demanding feline ladies." She may be contacted at 

murphy@joegrey.com

"

Visit www.joegrey.com

Book Review:Travels With George:Paris, A Cat's Eye Adventure

What did you do this past weekend? Did you happen to go to Paris? Did you happen to have a highly intuitive, somewhat sassy and clever kitty as your tour guide? No? So sorry to hear that, you must plan your trip to Paris with George as your tour guide NOW. I just returned. My trip was a whirlwind excursion all through the eyes of George. George cannot type you know due to the one thing that cat's lack (thumbs) but author David Stone (who is George's "man") told us George's story brilliantly. Deborah Julian's ("the woman") charming and delightful illustrations were completely captivating.

George and Billy are cats who are brothers. George is the "big brother" wise cat who is deeply philosophical, ponders life with confidence and a touch of arrogance (I sometimes thought of Garfield the Cat here) and finds his younger brother Billy's insecurities and "dog-like" personality annoying to say the least. He is the epitome of the "copycat" little brother that has to do everything the big brother does, only lacking the ability to do it with finesse like his big brother has. (He reminded me of "Odie" from the same "Garfield comic strip! only much more fearful)

George and Billy are New York City apartment cats. Their world consists of window views, litter boxes, food served at the exact same time every day, toys and the love of their "man" and "woman" (as is the case with so many indoor cats).

One day while observing a pigeon outside their window George thinks "if birds can go out and do whatever they want, why are cats kept confined? Are the birds better than us? Are they more capable?" it turns out the answer is an overwhelming NO!

 George is bored with his inside existence and wants to see the world! He doesn't care about the destination because all destinations lead to "outside!" He is resentful when his "man" and "woman" leave for various vacations (he always knows when they are going when he sees the giant suitcase appear on the bed and hears the "zip, zip, zip" of the zipper opening and watches the clothes being piled in).  George  vows that next time he will devise a plan where he can join them and "devise a plan" he did! Even "copycat" Billy who follows and mimics George's every move (much to George's annoyance) got in on the plan!!

I won't spoil the fun and say how George carried out his plan but it got he and Billy to PARIS!!  "Paris is the world and the universe" "There are flowers on every corner."

George takes us on  a delightful tour of Paris,  teaches us it's history full of richness and Art (once again Deborah Julian's  illustrations make this journey even more delightful!!) Museums, parks, flowers, food, of course the Eiffel Tower.....ahhhh Paris! Even insecure baby brother Billy begins to relax and "live in the moment" which cats seem to do so well but their humans seem to lack this ability which is wisely and duly noted by George. George and Billy even seem to grow closer on this shared journey.

George lives by the mantra of "if you wish for great things you must learn patience" He goes on to say "still, when my golden opportunity does arrive, I am ready for it, and I execute my plan with artistry and stealth. What an adventure I have ahead!"

What an adventure YOU will have ahead when you read "Travels With George:Paris, A Cat's Eye Adventure" Grab a croissant and your favorite beverage and allow George to give you a most historical and insightful tour of Paris (as only a wise cat like George can) Allow him to show you how to "live in the moment",  "how to be happier from now on. We'd all be much happier if we all absorbed a little more like a cat"