Cat Lovers Book Club - July 2020

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Where would you rather be on a cold winter's day other than in front of a cosy fire or heater reading a great book? We hope you'll find some inspiration in this July 2020 selection of the Cats Lovers Book Club.

LOST COMPANIONS
Reflections on the Death of Pets
by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

A heartfelt exploration of human grief after the loss of a pet by the New York Times bestselling author of Dogs Never Lie About Love. 

Our society is still learning how to dignify the relationship between a pet and their human with proper mourning rituals. We have only recently allowed the conversation of how to grieve for our non-human family members to come front and centre. 

In examining the special bond between pets and their people, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson validates the grief that we feel when a special pet dies. Lost Companions is full of poignant stories about dogs, cats, horses, birds, wombats and other animals that beautifully illustrate the strong bond humans form with them. 


A heartfelt exploration of human grief after the loss of a pet, Lost Companions is a thought-provoking book on pet loss. Masson takes a personal approach, allowing readers to explore their own responses, suggesting ways through and out of grief, as well as meaningful ways to memorialise our best friends.

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Murdoch Books, 2nd July 2020

RRP: $29.99 from all good book stores and online.

FERAL CAT

by Nik Forster

This is the story of Pie Whackett, a domestic cat accidentally transported to a rainforest in Queensland; she must learn to survive in the wild and protect her kittens from predators, floods and most dangerous of all, man.

The two adversaries faced each other, the one a five-foot reptile capable of evil, though nonvenomous bite, adept at suffocation of its prey; the other a small brown Burmese cat. All memories of recent encounters with goannas, dingoes or bull ants vanished as she was transformed into a lethal spring armed with fang and claw ready to battle anything that threatened her kittens.

Paperback, 116 pages
Publisher: Dandiprawn Productions, 19th November 2019

Price: $22.00 from amazon.com.au

CATS IN SNOW
The Ultimate Collection
by Hugo Ross

When you think of cats you see them snuggled up by the fire, playing with string, cleaning their whiskers, or curled up on someone's lap. You don't think of them paw-deep in snow! But this fantastic new collection captures just that. In this stunning compilation, see cats as you've never seen them before.

From tortoiseshells to tabby cats, feisty felines to curious kittens; whether they're up trees, under cars, or buried up to their necks, these cats are truly at their most majestic when they are in the snow.

With more than 100 beautiful photographs and hilariously entertaining captions, Cats in Snow is a unique and heart-warming insight into the life of our regal furry companions.

Hugo Ross is a photographer and a volunteer at his local pet rescue centre.

Hardcover, 144 pages
Publisher: Black and White Publishing, 27th October 2016

RRP: $29.99 from www.booktopia.com.au

PENCIL DRAWING CATS: ART MADE EASY
An easy step-by-step guide for learning to draw cats and kittens
by Anja Dahl, Jessica West (Translator)

Pencil Drawing: Cats allows beginning artists to dive into learning how to draw cats of all shapes, sizes, and poses in graphite pencil and charcoal.

With its intuitive design and approachable instruction, Drawing Cats for the Beginning Artist is the perfect resource for new artists to learn the basics they need before moving on to more complex drawing subjects.

Sit down with your graphite and charcoal, and dive into learning how to draw cats in a variety of poses. This books is filled with tips and techniques on the fundamentals you'll need to be successful in drawing these fine felines, including an introduction to tools and materials, arranging a composition, using the grid method, and practising gesture drawing for mastering skill.

There are also full-colour photographs for easy reference as you learn to draw different kinds of kitties, such as the Russian Blue, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siamese Cat, and the household tabby.

Paperback, 112 pages
Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing, 24th October 2018

RRP: 24.99 at www.booktopia.com.au

BOOK CLUB - KIDS' CORNER

WINTER CATS
by Janet Lawler, Ela Smietanka (Illustrator)

Willy's an indoor cat who dreams of becoming an outdoor cat, but his parents tell him that indoor cats and outdoor cats are different for a reason. 

When he sees the outdoor cats having tons of wintery fun, he decides to sneak out and join in! Willy and his new outdoor friends soon learn that labels are meaningless in the face of friendship.

Great for story time with its bouncy rhymes and Everykitten characters.

Hardcover, 32 pages
Publisher: Whitman & Co., 1st September 2019

For Ages: 4 - 6 years old


Price: $31.25 from www.booktopia.com.au 

THE SNOW CAT
by Holly Webb

From best-selling author Holly Webb comes this classic heart-warming winter tale…

Bel feels apprehensive about spending the lead-up to Christmas with her grandma at Lamont House, a sheltered housing complex converted from a grand Victorian home. 

The mansion is beautiful, but eerie, too with its moving shadows and odd noises. One night, Bel is sure she sees a cat wandering across the grounds, even though there are no pets allowed. She follows its footprints through the snow and is transported into the past. Here, she discovers Charlotte, a Victorian girl her own age. 

Charlotte's little sister, Sara, is very ill. Charlotte has been searching for Sara's cat, Snow. She hopes the reunion with her pet might make Sara better. Bel is desperate to help find Snow, but the cat is nowhere to be found, and time is running out...

Paperback, 160 pages
Publisher: Little Tiger Press Group, 4th October 2018

Price: $17.90 at www.booktopia.com.au

CLYDE: THE CAT THAT CAME IN FROM THE COLD
by Daphne Stammer

Clyde is the true story of author/illustrator Daphne Stammer's adopted cat. Through beautiful narrated illustrations it tells the sweet story of their happy life together.

Twenty-five years ago, Daphne took in a homeless cat that became her perfect pet. She painted him, and those paintings became a one-of-a-kind handmade book. 

Z Girls Press, with the magic of digital technology, captured the magic of the one-of-a-kind handmade book now available for parents to share the love of animals with their children.

This true story is a testament to the healing power of love. Not only did Daphne's love provide a warm, comfortable home, food, and good health to Clyde, but he filled Daphne's life with joy as you can see in the book. 

She beautifully captured his playful cat ways, from begging for food, to chasing his tail, to taking up residence in an empty box.

This sweet book will delight children and adults alike.

Paperback, 34 pages
Publisher: Z Girls Press, 6th October 2018
For Ages: 3 - 10 years old

Price: $23.75 at www.booktopia.com.au

CROSS-COUNTRY CAT
by Mary Calhoun, illustrated by Erick Ingraham

What kind of cat would go sliding off on skis, and who would believe it anyway? 

When the family accidentally leaves Henry, their sassy Siamese, behind at the ski lodge, he takes matters into his own paws in this beguiling adventure.

Paperback, 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, 1st September 1986
For Ages: 4 - 8 years old

RRP: $15.40 at www.booktopia.com.au

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