A delightful hiss-torical survey of cats in popular culture. Louis Wain and Beatrix Potter adored them, but Walt Disney preferred dogs; cats have been depicted in art, books and, more recently, film and TV as lovable but determined creatures. Where the dog is loving but stupid, the cat is clever but sly. Bestselling author David Alderton explores this myth and reveals just who the most famous cats are, including cartoon classics such as Top Cat, Felix, and the dastardly Si and Am from 101 Dalmatians. Using collectible memorabilia and original book covers, this charming book is a purr-fect stocking filler, along with its doggish counterpart, Famous Dogs by Fiona Shoop—ideal packaged together.
Recounts the lives of thirty cats across the world and throughout the centuries, who became the heroes of their own stories, while providing cat themed quizzes and facts.
A “fun, fanciful, and even informative” history of felines as revealed by a very learned tabby with a knack for hunting down facts (People). Since the dawn of civilization, felines have prowled alongside mankind as they expanded their territory and spread the myth of human greatness. And today, cats are peddled on social media as silly creatures here to amuse humans with their antics. But this is an absurd, self-centered fantasy. The true history of felines is one of heroism, love, tragedy, sacrifice, and gravitas. Not entirely convinced? Well, get ready, because Baba the Cat is here to set the record straight. Spanning almost every continent and thousands—yes, thousands—of years, Baba’s complex story of feline survival presents readers with a diverse cast of cats long forgotten: from her prehistoric feline ancestors and the ancient Egyptian cat goddess Bastet to the daring mariners at the height of oceanic discovery, key intellectuals in the Enlightenment period, revered heroes from World Wars I and II, and the infamous American tabbies. Baba, a talented model in addition to a scholar, goes beyond surface-level scratches, pairing her freshly unearthed research with a series of stunning costume portraits to bring history to life. A paws-on journey through the feline hall of fame, with in-depth research and four-legged testaments that will make you rethink who defines history, A Cat’s Tale is a one-of-a-kind chronicle that introduces readers to the illustrious ancestors of their closest companions and shows, once and for all, that cats know exactly what they’re doing. “Almost certainly the most unique cat history book ever published.” —Smithsonian Magazine
"Not since George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life has someone so lifted the spirits of an entire community. That the 'someone' in this case is, in fact, two library cats makes this true tale of the love of literature combined with a fondness for nose licking all the more magical. This book, like a purring kitten who may also be a genie, should be welcomed into any home."—Francesco Marciuliano, New York Times bestselling author of I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats It all started with mice in the library. Assistant librarian Jan Louch and a coworker decided that what the library needed was a cat. Or, even better, two cats. Soon, they found a pair of Scottish Folds who were perfect for the job. Jan named them Baker and Taylor, and they took up residence in the library. But these cats were much more than mousers. Visitors to the library fell in love with Baker and Taylor and their antics just as Jan had. And then, after Jan let the cats be photographed for a poster, they became feline celebrities. Children from across the country wrote them letters, fans traveled from far and wide to meet them, and they became the most famous library cats in the world. In The True Tails of Baker and Taylor, Jan Louch looks back and tells the remarkable story of these two marvelous cats and the people—readers, librarians, and cat lovers of all ages—who came together around them.
The inspiration for the iconic musical Cats, T. S. Eliot's classic and delightful collection of poetry about cats. These lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and adults alike. This collection is a curious and artful homage to felines young and old, merry and fierce, small and unmistakably round. This is the ultimate gift for cat and poetry lovers.
The ultimate gift for cat lovers everywhere—100 illustrated and unbelievably true tales of the remarkable felines who made their mark on science, history, art, government, and religion. If you don’t believe that one cat has the power to alter civilization, then you’ve obviously never heard of Tibbles, the cat who single-handedly wiped out an entire species. Or Ahmedabad, a Siamese kitten who sparked riots throughout Pakistan. Or Snowball, the cat who helped to convict dozens of murderers and criminals. Or Felix, the first cat to explore outer space. These are just 4 of the 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization, and this book honors their extra-ordinary contributions to science, history, art, government, religion, and more. Here, you’ll also meet cats who… • filed a lawsuit • were slapped with a restraining order • inspired great works of literature and classical music • telephoned the police to save the life of their owner These beautifully illustrated true stories are a tribute to the intelligence, bravery, and loving nature of cats all over the world.
“It’s official. That thing that classic art has been missing is a chubby reclining kitty.” —The Huffington Post Internet meme meets classical art in Svetlana Petrova’s brilliant Fat Cat Art. Featuring her twenty-two-pound, ginger-colored cat Zarathustra superimposed onto some of the greatest artworks of all time, Petrova’s paintings are an Internet sensation. Now fans will have the ultimate full-color collection of her work, including several never-before-seen pieces, to savor for themselves or to give as a gift to fellow cat lovers. From competing with Venus’s sexy reclining pose (and almost knocking her off her chaise lounge in the process) in Titian’s Venus of Urbino, to exhibiting complete disdain as he skirts away from God’s pointing finger in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, Zarathustra single-handedly rewrites art history in the way that only an adorable fat cat can.
"Jack was indeed a most unusual cat. His story will lead young readers back to a time when America was at war with itself. It was a time when all people were not treated as equal, and the question of whether the United States would stand as one nation had not been decided ... Beautiful color illustrations bring the story of life with historical accuracy, and children of all ages will delight in learning history through the eyes of Jack."--book jacket flyleaf.
The odds had always been stacked against Homer, the little blind kitten nobody wanted. But destiny took a hand the day he met Gwen Cooper, and with the publication twelve years later of the international best seller "Homer's Odyssey," Homer went from beloved housecat to world-wide star. He became the scourge and darling of the reporters, photographers, videographers, bloggers, and radio hosts who clamored to meet him-dragging his hapless human behind him as he greeted fame with his usual joie de vivre and occasional "catitude." He became a spokes-cat for the cause of special-needs animals everywhere, and eventually the wise older mentor to the new special-needs kitten who would enter his and Gwen's lives. Most importantly, Homer taught those who loved him best how to live and die with strength, dignity, and joy-and left behind a rescue community of "Homer's Heroes" that continues to save countless lives in his name. By turns humorous and tender, this beautifully written, 115-page sequel concludes the adventures of Homer the Blind Wonder Cat-the fearless feline who proved that love isn't something you see with your eyes, that even the smallest of creatures can make a big difference, and that true love lives forever.
