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Books For Cat
Lovers
As I am sure you can tell, I am a major cat lover. Also, being a
librarian, I have come across many, many books about cats that are wonderful.
This is a page of books I have read and enjoyed immensely. I have them broken
down in groups of topics. To find out more about any of these books, click on
their title, and you will be transported to Amazon.com where you can purchase
the book instantly. Not only will you have a wonderful new book to read, but
some of the proceeds will directly benefit shopcat.com! (you must visit
amazon.com
directly from a link in shopcat.com for us to benefit). Enjoy!
Purr-fect
Places to Stay
by Susan Bard Hall. This is a wonderful book that relates stories from
all kinds of cats who live in inns, B&Bs, and hotels in the US, Canada, and the
UK. There are pictures and stories of every cat mentioned. There are 33 places
highlighted in the book, some with one or two cats, one with 11, and one with
16! Highly recommended for those of you who might want to plan an interesting
vacation and find friendly places to stay (the author notes which inns will let
the cats sleep in your room!), or just for those of you who like to find out
about the cats. ©1999 Letters Etcetera. ISBN: 0-9666989-0-8
Blumpoe the Grumpoe Meets Arnold the Cat
by Jean Davies Okimoto, ill. by Howie Schneider. A book about a grumpy
man who goes to the Anderson House to stay. There he meets Arnold the cat (among
their many other cats), and finds a new friend. The author had stayed at the
Anderson House in Minnesota, which gave her the idea for this story. 1997 Books
to You, Inc. ISBN: 0-9661149-0-6
Leo
the Magnificat
by Ann M. Martin, ill.by Emily Arnold McCully. This is a true story
about a cat who wandered into a church and stayed. He became a part of the
church community and a friend to all. 1996 Scholastic Trade ISBN: 0-59048498-2
Cats
at Work
by Rhonda Gray, photos by Stephen T. Robinson. This is a beautiful
coffee table style book. The author has found all kinds of real shopcats in New
York City, taken their photographs, and added a tidbit of information about each
one (much like my site, only with incredible photos!). The stores they work in
are listed in the back of the book. There is also a 1998 calendar available.
book: 1991 Abbeville Press. ISBN: 1-558591532. calendar: 1997 Abbeville Press.
ISBN: 0-789252767.
The
Algonquin Cat
by Val Schaffner, illustrations by Hilary Knight. This is a nice story
about the life of Hamlet, the cat who lived at the Algonquin Hotel in New York
City. (They now have a cat named Matilda). Being in one of the most famous
hotels in New York, he has many occasions to meet all kinds of people, including
stars. This is his account of his life there. ©1980 Citadel Press. ISBN:
0-8065-1030-7.
The
Bookstore Cat
by Cindy Wheeler. This is a Step into Reading book, level 1. It is easy enough
for beginning readers. The story is of Mulligan, a bookstore cat, who chases a
pigeon let into the store. It is funny and has simple, cute drawings. ©1994
Random House. ISBN: 0-394-84109-3.
Silas the
Bookstore Cat
by Karen Trella Mather, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Silas is a
big white cat who lives in a bookstore. He knows what his job is and he does it
well. One day a boy comes in with his mother, but the boy is not interested in
books at all. He is interested in Silas, however. Silas brings him around, and
in a round-about way, shows him the perfect book for the boy. Based on a real
Silas the cat in Maine. The author works at his bookstore. ©1994 Down East
Books. ISBN: 0-89272-352-1
Mosby,
the Kennedy Center Cat
by Beppie Noyes. Mosby is a true story about a cat who lived at the Kennedy
Center in the 1970's. He used the air ducts as secret passageways to travel all
over the center. He watched all kinds of plays and ballets from a secret spot up
high. Sometimes he would even join in the singing! A chapter book for fourth
grade and up, but a wonderful story for anyone. ©1978 VSP Books. ISBN:
0-9637688-8-3.
The Fire
Cat
by Esther Averill. Pickles is a cat who likes to chase smaller cats. He is not a
bad cat, but he is not a good cat. Pickles is a big cat who wants to do big
things. One day he climbs a tree and has to have help to get down. A fireman
rescues him, and decides to take him to the fire house. From then on, Pickles is
a fire cat. An I Can Read book, level 1. Easy enough for beginning readers. The
pictures and story are wonderful. Published in 1960, and a classic in children's
literature. ISBN: 0-06-444038-9.
The
Cookie Store Cat
written and Ill. by Cynthia Rylant. The Cookie Store cat was found outside the
store at 6am when the baker came to open the store. He was very thin, so the
baker let him in, fed him, and decided to let him stay. The Cookie Store Cat is
a very good cat who is loved by everyone, especially the baker who found him. An
easy picture book, with recipes in the back for all the cookies mentioned in the
book.
© 1999 Blue Sky/Scholastic Press ISBN: 0-590-54329-6.
Mister Got-to-Go
by Lois Simmie, ill. by Cynthia Nugent. One rainy night, a stray cat got tired
of being a stray, and jumped to the window of the Sylvia Hotel. The manager let
him in, but only until the rain stops, and then he's "got to go." This is the
story of how the cat wheedles his way into the hotel for life, and acquires the
name Mister Got to Go. This is a true story, he really did live at the Sylvia
Hotel in Vancouver BC. ©1995 Northern Lights Books for Children ISBN:
0-88995-157-8.
The
Drugstore Cat
by Ann Petry, ill. by Susanne Suba. This is a cute chapter book about a cat with
a little tail and a loud purr who comes to live in a Drugstore. A small boy in
the neighborhood and the old man who takes the cat in can understand his
cat-language. Buzzie, as he is named, deals with his temper, difficult
customers, and burglars in this 87-page book for kids. Out of print. ©1949
Beacon Press ISBN:
0-8070-8309-7
Isabelle and the Library Cat
by Lillian Bason, ill. by Kurt Werth. Isabelle is a shy girl who goes to the
library every day. She reads a lot, but never says anything. She tells about all
the funny things the library cat does, like spinning the globe around with his
paw, or sitting on a book she is trying to read. Only when the cat gets into
trouble does Isabelle come out of her shell and actually say something out loud.
A nice picture book, though out of print. ©1966 Lothrup ISBN: 0-688-41342-0
One Day at the Wood Green Animal Shelter
by Patricia Casey. A wonderful children's picture book about all the
people who work in the Wood Green Animal Shelter, and what kinds of things they
do each day. Penny is the cat who lives there. Illustrations are very well done
with a mixture of real photos and drawings. It is one of the nominees this year
for the Washington Children's Choice Award. ©2001 Candlewick Press ISBN:
0763612103
Pictures of Cats
Mediterranean Cats,
Cats in
the Sun,
Asleep in
the Sun
all by Hans Silvestri. These are incredible pictures of cats
living on the islands near Greece. There are only a few pages of text, and the
rest are full page pictures. Asleep in the sun just came out this year, but the
other two you might be able to find in paperback. There have also been some
calendars from Cats in the Sun, and some postcard books.
Claude
by Randy Moravec. Claude is a big, fluffy, black and white kitty who has his own
website. (Check my links page to go there). Randy Moravec has taken many
black-and-white photos of Claude, and then added stories to accompany the
picture. He also has many "statistics" that are highly amusing: the amount of
cat hair a cat sheds in a lifetime, how many nicknames they have, how much time
they spend getting into trouble, etc. For a preview of his book you can go to
his website. He has a few pages there to look at.
C
is for Cat
by Pamela Prince, photos by Doug Benezra. A gorgeous book of cat photos. Each
page has a picture of one cat, and a poem about them. They are arranged
alphabetically by the name of the cat. Here's a sampling: (next to a picture of
a lovely orange kitty in a suitcase)" J is for Jack, packed to go. A Jaunt to
Paris? Tokyo? Maybe Manhattan? A Voyage to Rome? The truth of it is he has to
stay home." This title is out of print, but I highly recommend picking up a copy
if you can find one.
Martin Leman's Painted Cats
by Jill & Martin Leman. A lovely book of cat stories, sayings and wonderfully
painted pictures. My favorite quote is from a schoolboy's report on cats: "The
housecat is a four-legged quadruped, the legs as usual being at the corners." It
is out of print, but worth it if you can find it somewhere.
Zen Cats
by Yoshiyuki Yaginuma. A beautiful book about the cats who live in and wander
around the shrines and temples of Japan. The author has a special rapport with
the cats and many of them even pose for him. ISBN: 0789207028
True Stories about Cats
Cats of Thistle Hill
by Roger Caras. An account of all the cats at Roger Caras' farm, how they
came to be there, and personal stories about them. My favorite is Omari who,
instead of bringing dead rodents to the back porch for admiration, brings small
twigs. There are other animals at the farm as well, and their stories are just
as endearing as the cats'.
All
My Patients are Under the Bed
by Louis J. Camuti. The true stories of a New York City vet. For sixty years
Louis Camuti treated cats in their own homes instead of in an office. These are
his stories of all the people and cats he met, and the trials and tribulations
he went through. Celebrity cats are also mentioned, as well as interesting cats
such as a burglar cat who proudly brought home toupees, gloves, and other
treasures.
James Herriot's Cat Stories
by James Herriott. The best cat stories from James Herriott's All
Creatures Great and Small series. Oscar, the Cat About Town is here as
well as the Christmas Day Kitten. A wonderful companion to the series, so you
don't have to keep flipping through the pages to find a cat story!
The Cat
Who Came for Christmas
by Cleveland Amory. Probably every one of you has read this, but it is still one
of my favorites, so I thought I'd put it on. A book about Cleveland Amory, the
head of the Fund for Animals, and a devout dog lover. Until he rescues Polar
Bear. Reading about his adventures with his new cat (especially figuring out
some of the cat's hiding places!), is enough to make you laugh out loud.
The Cat
on My Shoulder
ed. by Lisa Angowski Rogak. Short stories about celebrities and their
cats. Some of the celebrities include Lloyd Alexander, Cleveland Amory, Tomie
DePaola, Sue Grafton, Daniel Pinkwater, Cokie Roberts, and Richard Scarry. This
book is out of print, but you might be able to find it in used book stores, or
through Amazon.com.
The
Cat's House
by Bob Walker. The writer has added to his house to make it much more enjoyable
for his 12 kitties. They now have over 100 feet of elevated walkways in his
house. He tells fascinating stories about his cats, and also shows you how to
make your house into a cat's house.
Cats Into
Everything
by Bob Walker. The second book from the man who made his house into a
cat house. This time he tells of how naughty his kitties can be, and what it's
like to live with 10 or more cats at a time. His book, as usual, is illustrated
with wonderful photographs of his animals.
Inspur-r-rational
Stories for Cat Lovers
by Niki Anderson. A wonderful book about things our cats have done that
we can learn from. There are stories about the cat in WWII who stayed with her
kittens in the basement of a church that had been bombed (they survived), as
well as countless other wonderful stories. They are not all of heroic deeds.
Some are just simple everyday actions looked at in a different way. There are 6
stories about shopcats, including shopcat.com's own famous kitties from Twice
Sold Tales! (Note: on Amazon.com, this book is listed as Cat Lovers)
Two
Perfectly Marvellous Cats
by Rosamond M. Young. Two stories about heroic cats. Faith is a church
cat who risks her own life to save her son's in a bombing in England during
World War II. Simon is a ship's cat who goes along doing his duty despite his
being injured in a bombing. Both wonderful stories and worth adding to your
collection.
Cat Fiction
The
Sacred Cat
by Marie Stuttard, photos by Denese Moore. A short story with beautiful
pictures about a Birman cat who has decided to trek to Burma in order to find
out if the story of the sacred cats of Burma is true. An inspiring story of
dedication and faith. ©1998. ISBN: 0473051710
Cat Tails
by Elaine Bailey, pictures by Christopher Bailey.
Five short stories about different cats. "Minkey, the Siamese, considers
himself 'Lord of the Pride,' while Chuck just wants to be certain there is ample
food in his dish at all times. Nathan, the Maine Goon, is the outdoorsman who
ventures forth in all weather. Well, sort of! Mouse, the pure white Persian,
just loves to be around people. And finally, Miss Kiss, who never lets anyone
forget that she is a lady, with attitude. Enjoy meeting these personalities
through the anecdotes that will make you laugh or bring a tear to the eye. This,
then, is their story and a few tales about their friends. " ©1997 Paws
Publishing. ISBN: 096805750.
Cat Paws
by Elaine Bailey, pictures by Christopher Bailey.
"Cat Paws" is the continuing story of the author's family of cats, who came from
various unwanted backgrounds. The cat family has increased since "Cat Tails" and
that adds to the fun. Minkey, the Blue Point Siamese, at the age of eighteen,
still acts as 'Lord of the Pride', while Chuck, the black and white Tabby, just
loves to be loved. Nathan, the Maine Goon, dreams of being the great outdoorsman
without the cold weather. Mr. Mouse, the white Persian, has become quite the
celebrity doing public appearances and Miss Kiss just wants to be left alone.
Having baby Amber, a Torte Point Himalayan, join the family has added a new
dimension.
Catwings
by Ursula K. LeGuin. This is a whole series about cats that can fly. It is
written for 3rd graders on up, but is also fun for adults to read. It follows
the story of Miss Jane Tabby and her four kittens, who for some reason, were
born with wings. They fly away from the hazards of the city, only to find
different hazards in the country. Other books in this series include:
Catwings
Return,
Wonderful
Alexander and the Catwings,
Jane on
Her Own.
The Cat Who... series
by Lillian Jackson Braun. This series of books is one of my favorite mystery
series. It features Jim Qwilleran, a reporter with two very special cats. They
help him solve the mysteries that crop up in the small town of Pickax. One of
the things I like about this series is that Koko, the gifted cat of Jim Q, gives
clues throughout the book, and his owner and you have to try and figure out what
Koko is trying to tell you. Start with The Cat Who Could Read Backwards.
Miss Murphy Mystery
series
by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown. Another excellent mystery series. This
time you get to climb into the brains of the two cats and the dog owned by Mary
Minor (Harry) Harristeen, a postmistress and amateur sleuth. The animals discuss
the mysteries among each other and try to keep their "mom" out of trouble.
There's also a lot of amusing bickering between the animals. A very fun read.
Start with Wish You Were Here.
Cat Care/General Info
Encyclopedia of the Cat
by Bruce Fogle. A complete guide to cat's evolution, history, care and
breeds. Excellent pictures (the publisher is Dorling Kindersley, so the pictures
are always sharp against white backgrounds).
Catworld:
A Feline Encyclopedia, and
Catwatching
by Desmond Morris. From one of the most highly knowledgeable and
respected cat experts are these two information-packed books. Catworld
is about as complete as you can get... set up in encyclopedia form, you'll find
things like what a cat is doing when it's chirping at the birds outside the
window, or what traits certain breeds have. Catwatching is
similar, but written in a short-story type format, with like subjects clumped
together. I highly recommend the hardback copy of Catwatching, instead of the
paperback, because the hardback has wonderful illustrations that the paperback
doesn't.
Children's Books
(suitable for all ages)
A Visit
from Dr. Katz
by Ursula K. LeGuin, Illustrated by Ann Barrow. A young girl has to stay
home sick for the day, so her mother sends in Dr. Katz... two cats named Philip
and The Bean. They help her get well by purring on her chest and pouncing on her
toes.
Our Cat
Flossie
by Ruth Brown. Incredibly realistic watercolor accompany the simple text
about Ruth Brown's cat Flossie. Flossie's habits are bird watching, and fishing,
gardening, and fitting herself into boxes of all sizes. This one is also out of
print, but well worth the hunt.
Purr:
Children's Book Illustrators Brag About Their Cats
edited by Michael J. Rosen. Short, one-page stories or poems about cats owned by
children's book illustrators. All the stories are illustrated by the person who
sent in the story. Contributors include Steven Kellogg, Lane Smith, Edward Gorey,
George Booth, and Audrey Wood. All kinds of cats are found in these stories,
from lazy to hyper. For dog lovers there is also
Speak. All royalties, and some of the publisher's profits benefit
the Company of Animals Fund which provides grants for veterinary services, homes
for stray animals, and aid for the pets of the elderly and the ill.
Me and My
Cat
by Satoshi Kitamura. "Late one night an old lady in a pointed hat came in
through the bedroom window. She brandished her broom at me and fired out some
words. Then she left without saying good-bye." This starts an interesting day
for Nicholas, who has switched bodies with his cat. Hilarious pictures of the
real Nicholas trying to get through the cat door, and Nicholas/cat meeting the
neighborhood bullies.
Three Stories You Can Read to Your Cat
by Sara Swan Miller, ill.by True Kelley. A great book with stories your cat
wants to hear. Each story is told using the word "you" ("One day you [the cat]
woke up early"). One story is about the cat catching a bug, another is about
spending a day at home being naughty.
Humor
The
Silent Miaow
by Paul Gallico. Many of you already know how wonderful this book is. It
is a book written by a mother cat for her kittens. She is teaching them how to
train their humans. It covers all areas of training... getting food, getting let
in and out, sleeping in the best chairs, etc. It is an essential book for all
cat fanatics.
All I
Need to Know I Learned from My Cat
by Suzy Becker. A cute cartoon book about all the little things our cats
teach us. A few samplings: "Be a good listener. Invite yourself to dinner. Take
some time to eat the flowers. Make the world your playground." The drawings
complement the text nicely.
Catmas Carols
by Laurie Loughlin, illustrations by Mary Ross. A cute little Christmas Carol
book, with the lyrics slightly different than you are probably
used to. Try this: "We three kings of orient are/ terrified to ride in the car."
Some of the titles include "Go Smell it at the fountain","Wreck the Halls", and
the "Hallelujah Pour Us". A nice gift for cat loving friends.
40 Most Wanted Cats
by Nancy Drosd, photos by Danielle Weil. A very silly book with
wonderful photographs. Each page has a picture of a cat and the crime they are
wanted for: loitering, breaking & entering, etc.
Novels
Diary of
a Cat
by Leigh W. Rutledge. Almost a full year in the life of a domestic cat,
including how he feels about a new kitten in the house, and just what can happen
the a Thanksgiving turkey. He is an outdoor kitty, so we also get to meet the
neighbors as he makes his rounds. There was one tough place in the book for me
dealing with an elderly woman who became ill and couldn't take care of her cats,
so her caretaker threw the cats out to fend for themselves. The rest of it is
pretty lighthearted and funny.
The
Abandoned
by Paul Gallico. A story about a boy who gets turned into a cat. He is
found on the streets by a stray; she takes him under her wing and teaches him
how to be a cat. They become very close friends. It sounds kind of silly as I
write about it, but it really was a very good novel. I'd put it in a Young Adult
category, but adults might enjoy it too.
Special Books
Cat
Heaven
by Cynthia Rylant. For anyone who has ever lost a pet. This takes us through
what it is like in heaven for our friends when they die. It can be a tear
jerker, so have lots of tissues close by when you read it. Here's my favorite
part: "The cats in Cat Heaven are so loved and spoiled, God lets them all lie on
His bed... He walks in His garden with a good black book, and a kitty asleep on
His head." For those of you who also love dogs, there is also
Dog
Heaven.
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