A Cat's Tale: A Journey Through Feline History

 A Cat's Tale: A Journey through Feline History

by Baba the Cat as told to Paul Koudounaris

Pages: 288

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This is a history of domestic cats through history, all around the world, told from a cat's point of view by Baba the Cat. The author describes different famous cats through history and why and how cats and humans relationships have changed throughout time due to politics, religion and agriculture. Baba also is  a very agreeable cat and poses for fun photos in costumes related to the culture and time period being discussed. The book also includes photos and news articles about cats around the world. 

Interesting facts and fun for any cat lover. 

"Leo the Magnificat" by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Based on a true story, this book follows Leo, a cat who wonders into the garden of a church.  Although he is healthy and well fed, no one comes to claim him and he decides to stay at the church.  He makes many friends, roams the neighborhood, and charms everyone.  He even plays matchmaker and helps with the Christmas pageant.  Leo lives a long, happy life.  The final page of the book shows a picture of and tells about the real Leo the Magnificat, a Siamese tom who lived at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in Louisville, KY.  The watercolor and gouache Impressionistic illustrations perfectly convey Leo's thick fur and vivid expressions.  This is a lovely story of a cat who touched many lives for the better (as all cats do).  32 pages.

"Scaredy Cat" by Joan Rankin

Author/illustrator Rankin gives us a story from the point of view of a kitten who encounters multiple scary objects in the house where he lives with his Mama Meow and human Auntie B.  Monsters, a forest, wiggly thingamajigs, crocodiles, and more make the kitten tremble in fear until Mama Meow explains what they really are.  Simple yet expressive drawings only add to the wonderful story.  Highly recommended.  32 pages.

"Hedgie's Surprise" by Jan Brett

Jan Brett is one of the most popular and talented (in my opinion) author/illustrators to ever be published.  She doesn't disappoint in this tale of Hedgie the hedgehog and his friend Henny the speckled hen.  Henny's eggs are stolen everyday by the hungry Tomten, the mischievous child of the owner of the barn where Henny lives.  Henny wants to raise her eggs into chicks, but the boy steals the eggs for his breakfast.  Hedgie steps in and tricks the youngster by putting various edible objects into Henny's nest for him to take, like an acorn, a potato, and a strawberry.  But what is Hedgie doing with Henny's eggs?  Brett's detailed drawings are wonderful, as usual, as is the cute story of a friend coming to the rescue.  32 pages.

"Little Bat" by Tania Cox, illustrated by Andrew McLean

Little Bat lives in a rainforest in northeastern Australia and clings to her mother in fear knowing that she is expected to start flying soon.  Other animal friends come by to give advice to the little red flying fox.  These include a paradise kingfisher, a Boyd's forest dragon, a green ringtail possum, a king parrot, a lesser sooty owl, a Ulysses butterfly, a yellow-breasted sunbird, a spotted-tailed quoll, and a green python.  Colorful, detailed drawings on a dark blue background showcase these forest dwellers.  This is a lovely book about encouraging a friend.  30 pages.

"Franklin's Halloween" by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark

This installment in the Franklin series finds the young turtle and his friends preparing for the big Halloween party at Town Hall.  He tries on various costumes and finally decides to be "Franklinstein".  A visit to a haunted house causes a few scary moments, but Franklin and his buddies end the evening in a selfless gesture for their friend Bear.  Cuteness abounds.  32 pages.

"The Cookie-Store Cat" by Cynthia Rylant

This lovely book with simple drawings tells the story of a cat who is adopted by a baker and lives in his cookie store.  The reader follows the cat as he goes through his days greeting the various customers and other store owners in the neighborhood.  He is loved by all, especially the old baker who found and took him in as a malnourished kitten.  Recipes for the cookies mentioned in the story are at the end of the book.  40 pages.

"The Cat Barked?" by Lydia Monks

Wonderful illustrations are the highlight of this children's book told from the perspective of an orange tabby cat who thinks dogs have all the fun until his human girl points out many things cats can do that dogs cannot.  Highly recommended for kids and adult cat lovers. 32 pages.

"Verdi" by Janell Cannon

From the author of "Stellaluna," this story is about Verdi, a newly hatched, baby python with bright yellow skin and black stripes.  Before leaving, his mother tells him that he'll grow up to be big and green, but all of the adult pythons that Verdi meets seem lazy and boring and don't want to play with him.  So he does crazy acrobatics around the jungle alone until one day he notices that some of his skin is turning green.  But as he grows up, he discovers that he doesn't have to give up being playful. 

This is another lovely book full of colorful and detailed drawings of pythons and other creatures found in the jungle that will win over readers, even those who don't like snakes.  46 pages

"Stellaluna" by Janell Cannon

I first read this children's book when I worked as a teacher's aide many years ago, and it has become one of my favorites.  Stellaluna is a fruit bat who is separated from her mother when they are attacked by an owl.  She lands in the nest of Mama Bird and her three babies where she is taught to live and eat like they do.  This means flying during the day, no more hanging upside down, and learning to live on insects, none of which seems right to Stellaluna.  Will she ever be reunited with Mother Bat and others of her species?

The beautifully colored and detailed drawings of the bats and birds are the biggest draw of this book.  There are even small drawings at the top of every other page showing Mother Bat's search for her baby.  The story is compelling and explains the differences between birds and bats in ways that children can understand.  "Bat Notes" at the end explain more about "the only mammals capable of powered flight."  I highly recommend this book to all children as well as any adults who are fond of bats.  46 pages.

"Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa" by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney

What a cool and beautiful book!  Ella's story is told by Scat Cat Monroe in rhymes and rhythms, from her childhood dream of being a dancer to her work with Dizzy Gillespie at Carnegie Hall in 1947.  The illustrations are flowing and colorful, with Ella and her various collaborators and bands flying high and dancing with energy.  Scat Cat is in almost every scene, explaining the magic of the music and Ella's contribution to jazz.  Highly recommended.  32 pages.

"A Grumpy Book: Disgruntled Tips and Activities Designed to Put a Frown on Your Face" by Grumpy Cat

Grumpy Cat, oh, Grumpy Cat, how do I love thee?  Your lovely little face is so adorable and expressive that it makes me smile.  I know you that you would say, "NO," but I can't help it.  Your tips on getting and staying in a grumpy mood are invaluable in today's "look on the bright side" world.  You even provide some negative facts to do so, my favorite of which is "Flowers are cesspools of bee urine and hummingbird spit."  Priceless.  You also provide grumpy games, demotivational posters, and grumpy moments from your incredible life.  (Bonus:  Pictures of your brother, Pokey.)  What else can I say?  I am proud to be one of your minions; you are my role model for grumpiness.  96 awful pages. 

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

This novel, published in 1877, is narrated in the first person as an autobiography told by a horse named Black Beauty. It begins when he is a colt on an English farm with his mother. As a young colt, his life was free and easy. His owner was kind and he was fed well and treated well.  It got a little more difficult when he was trained, but as it was done with kindness and gentleness, it wasn’t traumatic.

After his training, he was sold to a Squire, who was also kind and gentle and took good care of his horses. Beauty was a riding horse and carriage horse. He was happy there, but one night a drunken groom rode him so hard and recklessly that he fell and hurt his knees. He was then sold, because he was no longer fit for service in a nobleman’s stable.

His life continues through a succession of owners, some kind and others cruel. Throughout, he gives the horses perspective on how animals are treated, and the morals and characters of the people around them. The book reflects London society at the time, with mention of reforms in animal treatment being advocated by some, and the realities of poor men trying to make a living and working their horses too hard because they felt they had to.

 

255 pages
copyright 114 years ago

"I Has a Hotdog: What Your Dog Is Really Thinking" by Professor Happycat

Oh, boy.  I'm very well acquainted with the "I Can Has Cheezburger" web site that features real pictures of cats with funny captions added.  This book is based on the "I Has a Hotdog" site, which is the dog version.  There were some really funny captions on very silly pictures of canines in all their glory, several of which showed them with their cat buddies.  Others were outright hostile to the feline species, and I did not enjoy those.  Overall, though, it was funny and captured the spirit of wacky dogginess.  192 pages.

"The Grumpy Guide to Life" Observations by Grumpy Cat

I love Grumpy Cat.
I adore Grumpy Cat.
She is my hero.

Her precious little face makes me smile and perfectly captures my mood so often that I feel a kinship with her.  I even have a shirt with her on it that says, "I had fun once.  It was awful."  (Real name:  Tardar Sauce.  Yes, that's how it is spelled.)  This book is full of her lovely grumpiness and beautiful visage in various settings.  Her adorable brother, Pokey, even makes a few appearances.

Some of my favorite Grumpy Cat observations include:

"It's not whether you win or lose - it's how you refuse to participate."

"People are like balls of yarn.  For the most part they're boring and useless, but I still get a lot of pleasure out of watching them unravel."

"Trying new things is a recipe for disappointment."
 
"Why put off until tomorrow what you can do never?"

"Look at things from a different perspective.  My favorite one is 'with my eyes closed.'"

"Snow is nature's way of saying, 'Go back inside and get in bed, you idiot.'"

"Don't worry, be grumpy."

Grumpy Cat is not kidding when she says, "No."  She is a national treasure and should have her incredible face on a postage stamp RIGHT NOW!  112 awesome pages.

"The Fur Person" by May Sarton, Illustrations by Barbara Knox

This lovely book, written in 1957, is told from the point of view of a gray and white gentleman cat.  He begins as "Cat About Town," looking for a home after a couple of years of adventures.  He ends up with two ladies, known as "Gentle Voice" and "Brusque Voice," who give him a meal of haddock and a place to stay in a cozy house with a garden and trees and name him "Tom Jones."  Tom does Yoga (which I was surprised to see mentioned in a book from 1957), composes poems, and is even a philosopher with his "Ten Commandments of the Gentleman Cat."  This is not a children's book but one for adults who appreciate the nuances of our feline friends.  Knox's line drawings are wonderful and add to the book's appeal.  Sarton gives us a charming look at life through the eyes of a thoughtful and eloquent "fur person."  Highly recommended for cat lovers.  106 pages.

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary

Title:Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
Author: David Sedaris
Pages: 159
Audio: 3 Hours



Inside cover blurb: Featuring David Sedaris's unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life.

In "The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck," three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In "Hello Kitty," a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk," a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.

With original illustrations by Ian Falconer, author of the bestselling Olivia series of children's books, these stories are David Sedaris at his most observant, poignant, and surprising.

My take: I listened to this book and loved it. David Sedaris is a wonderful storyteller, read some of his autobiography short stories if you haven't yet. He is honest and hilarious. This audio is great, Mr. Sedaris reads several of the stories but some of the stories are read by Elaine Stritch. Elaine does a wonderful job as well. This book is recommended highly!