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tealeafbooks's review
4.0
A quick and fascinating read for cat lovers. The kind of brief read that makes you want to do more research.
*One gripe: sometimes cats are referred to as "it." I think "it" should be reserved for inanimate objects like reading lamps.
*One gripe: sometimes cats are referred to as "it." I think "it" should be reserved for inanimate objects like reading lamps.
mdpbernal's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Cat Tales is a collection of 40 short vignettes featuring cats written by Penelope Rich and illustrated by Isabel Muñoz. Due out 1st April 2021 from Arcturus, it's 130 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
This is a charmingly written and illustrated book for young readers (circa 8-12 years old) with a wide variety of cat stories. The stories are arranged thematically: historical cats, working cats, extraordinary cats, and famous cats. Additionally the author has included a short introduction with humankind's history with our feline companions and an afterword and appendices with cat and kitten care tips as well as a well curated and age appropriate bibliography and links list for further reading.
Four stars. I would recommend it for public or classroom library acquisition, gifting, or home library use. The art is simple, colourful, and appealing; it would make nice source material for a young artist's drawing practice as well. The individual stories would also make memorable and appealing story-time reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Cat Tales is a collection of 40 short vignettes featuring cats written by Penelope Rich and illustrated by Isabel Muñoz. Due out 1st April 2021 from Arcturus, it's 130 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.
This is a charmingly written and illustrated book for young readers (circa 8-12 years old) with a wide variety of cat stories. The stories are arranged thematically: historical cats, working cats, extraordinary cats, and famous cats. Additionally the author has included a short introduction with humankind's history with our feline companions and an afterword and appendices with cat and kitten care tips as well as a well curated and age appropriate bibliography and links list for further reading.
Four stars. I would recommend it for public or classroom library acquisition, gifting, or home library use. The art is simple, colourful, and appealing; it would make nice source material for a young artist's drawing practice as well. The individual stories would also make memorable and appealing story-time reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I love stories about cats and I loved this book. Great stories, lovely pictures and a lot of cats!
Perfect for cat lovers.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Perfect for cat lovers.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
glanecia's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to middle-grade students who are researching true stories about cats. It would also be an enjoyable read for older people who happen to adore cat stories. I certainly enjoyed it.
I appreciated the way this book organized topics into sections such as Cat Heroes, Cat Jobs, etc. However, I did not like how the introductions to each section were written. The introductions presented material that was repeated again in the section itself. The book only needs to present the information one time. The same art was also used in more than one location in the book.
I adored the art. It was part of the reason I asked to review this book. Although the art was very cute, I think the book could be improved by using actual photographs of the cats and people who were owned by them. True stories deserve real photos. Perhaps a mixture of photography and art could be have been used.
I loved most of the stories in this book. I'm grateful that they included a list of recommended books for further reading. I'm certainly going to read the book "A Street Cat Named Bob".
There is one story that did not sit well with me. It's an unfortunate story about Félicette, the Russian cat who was sent up to space as an experiment. This is NOT a "cat job", any more than it's the job of a Beagle dog to be experimented on in a laboratory. Although we do learn much from these experiments, I think it's heartless to call it anything other than what it was. It was an experiment. That cat had no choice. She suffered a brain injury from those experiments. She died from her "job". The other "cat jobs" are heartwarming stories, and this story is simply not heartwarming. It doesn't belong in the section of "Cat Jobs".
As a whole, I did enjoy the book. It's worth a read!
I enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to middle-grade students who are researching true stories about cats. It would also be an enjoyable read for older people who happen to adore cat stories. I certainly enjoyed it.
I appreciated the way this book organized topics into sections such as Cat Heroes, Cat Jobs, etc. However, I did not like how the introductions to each section were written. The introductions presented material that was repeated again in the section itself. The book only needs to present the information one time. The same art was also used in more than one location in the book.
I adored the art. It was part of the reason I asked to review this book. Although the art was very cute, I think the book could be improved by using actual photographs of the cats and people who were owned by them. True stories deserve real photos. Perhaps a mixture of photography and art could be have been used.
I loved most of the stories in this book. I'm grateful that they included a list of recommended books for further reading. I'm certainly going to read the book "A Street Cat Named Bob".
There is one story that did not sit well with me. It's an unfortunate story about Félicette, the Russian cat who was sent up to space as an experiment. This is NOT a "cat job", any more than it's the job of a Beagle dog to be experimented on in a laboratory. Although we do learn much from these experiments, I think it's heartless to call it anything other than what it was. It was an experiment. That cat had no choice. She suffered a brain injury from those experiments. She died from her "job". The other "cat jobs" are heartwarming stories, and this story is simply not heartwarming. It doesn't belong in the section of "Cat Jobs".
As a whole, I did enjoy the book. It's worth a read!
librarypatronus's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet little nonfiction for any lover of true stories and cats! There were a couple that I had heard of, even (Pwditat, Grumpy Cat, for example) It was interesting to hear about some jobs that cats have held or amazing feats they have accomplished. This is definitely one that I will suggest my 7 year old pick up too, because I know she'll love it.
librarypatronus's review
4.0
A sweet little nonfiction for any lover of true stories and cats! There were a couple that I had heard of, even (Pwditat, Grumpy Cat, for example) It was interesting to hear about some jobs that cats have held or amazing feats they have accomplished. This is definitely one that I will suggest my 7 year old pick up too, because I know she'll love it.
eliebooks's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review :) This was a little surprise gem I found. First of all, I am a huge cat lover- they were an important aspect of my childhood.
This book is short, cute and informative. It presents different famous cats in history and nowadays. Very easy to read and understand, which makes it perfect for children. It also has lovely cute drawings of cats that make the book very enjoyable. I was surprised by how interesting each individual story was. You really get to understand the relationship humans have with cats in general. And let me tell you, it is an interesting one. I have found this books relaxing, informative, beautiful and enjoyable.
I totally recommend it to everyone :) as a little break from your day to day life. It will definitely bring a smile on your face.
This book is short, cute and informative. It presents different famous cats in history and nowadays. Very easy to read and understand, which makes it perfect for children. It also has lovely cute drawings of cats that make the book very enjoyable. I was surprised by how interesting each individual story was. You really get to understand the relationship humans have with cats in general. And let me tell you, it is an interesting one. I have found this books relaxing, informative, beautiful and enjoyable.
I totally recommend it to everyone :) as a little break from your day to day life. It will definitely bring a smile on your face.
briarsreviews's review against another edition
3.0
Cat Tales: True Stories of Fantastic Felines by Penelope Rich is a sweet set of stories about cats across the ages.
This book made me smile and want to weep happy tears. Cats doing heroic acts, cats hanging at their beloved owner's graves, and famous cats being themselves are all featured in this book. It will make you smile and feel good, especially if you love cats. I did enjoy learning about many cats over the ages, as I had heard of a fair few of them but not all.
Children and adults will love this book. I waouldn't limit this book to one age group or another. It can easily be read by middle graders, especially with the cartoon-y illustrations throughout the book.
Three out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This book made me smile and want to weep happy tears. Cats doing heroic acts, cats hanging at their beloved owner's graves, and famous cats being themselves are all featured in this book. It will make you smile and feel good, especially if you love cats. I did enjoy learning about many cats over the ages, as I had heard of a fair few of them but not all.
Children and adults will love this book. I waouldn't limit this book to one age group or another. It can easily be read by middle graders, especially with the cartoon-y illustrations throughout the book.
Three out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
bookedinsideout's review
3.0
I really liked that these cat tales were composed of stories of cats from all over the world, and I got a kick out of reading about all of these amazing cats. Cats are often compared to dogs and described in terms of what they can’t do, so I loved that they got some appreciation for the joy they bring to our lives and the bond they can share with the people (and animals) who love them.