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Cat Tales: True Stories of Fantastic Felines
Cats may love snoozing in sunny spots, but our furry friends are capable of so much more! In this beautifully illustrated full-colour collection, you'll discover the incredible true stories of talented, brave, and clever kitties whose exploits have made them world-famous.
This heart-warming book includes over 40 cat stories, from ancient Egyptian kitties to internet sensations Grumpy Cat and Bob the Streetcat. These tales are bought to life by remarkable illustrations by Isabel Muñoz.
Find out all about:
• Gracie from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, who saved her owners from a carbon monoxide leak
• Tama, the station master cat of Kinokawa, Japan
• Masha, the stray cat who rescued an abandoned baby on a freezing night in Caluga, Russia
• Stubbs, the feline mayor for Talkeetna, Alaska ...
• and so many more!
With a section on caring for cats and kittens, this is a fantastic gift for animal lovers of all ages from 8 years up.
This heart-warming book includes over 40 cat stories, from ancient Egyptian kitties to internet sensations Grumpy Cat and Bob the Streetcat. These tales are bought to life by remarkable illustrations by Isabel Muñoz.
Find out all about:
• Gracie from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, who saved her owners from a carbon monoxide leak
• Tama, the station master cat of Kinokawa, Japan
• Masha, the stray cat who rescued an abandoned baby on a freezing night in Caluga, Russia
• Stubbs, the feline mayor for Talkeetna, Alaska ...
• and so many more!
With a section on caring for cats and kittens, this is a fantastic gift for animal lovers of all ages from 8 years up.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 22, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Cat Tales is an amazing collection of short true stories about real life cats through the ages. I truly never knew just how many famous cats there had been through the ages to the first recorded story about one. I loved reading about each and every cat in this book and the illustrations were delightful. These cats clearly lived their owners as much as their owners loved them.
I highly recommend this for any cat lovers young or old! It's a real delight!
Cat Tales is an amazing collection of short true stories about real life cats through the ages. I truly never knew just how many famous cats there had been through the ages to the first recorded story about one. I loved reading about each and every cat in this book and the illustrations were delightful. These cats clearly lived their owners as much as their owners loved them.
I highly recommend this for any cat lovers young or old! It's a real delight!
Read
March 24, 2025This. Is. ADORABLE. I loved this soooo much! I'm a HUGE catlover so I was so excited when I got to read this! I loved learning about all these different cats and their heroic lives. The illustrations are so cute! This actually made me cry (all of these cats are so brave and you can see that they really love their humans). I blame my cat for making me cry, because I love her so much. Would really recommend reading this one, even if you like cats only a little bit.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 14, 2022
This is a fun book of true short stories about famous cats through the ages. It is entertaining for cat lovers of any age. It would be fun to use for bedtime stories or as a gift to a reluctant reader.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
March 19, 2021
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.
March 17, 2021
Awesome stories of real life cats. I've heard of some and read about them, Others were new to me, but I enjoyed reading about all of them! Cat lovers will love these tales. This is really quite the collection. I had no idea there were so many true life stories of felines. I mean, I know of Pangur Ban, Scarlett, and Bob, but many of the cats in this book were new to me...and I look for books like these! Nicely researched and gathered. Make a terrific gift for the cat lover in your life. Even littles may enjoy hearing some of the stories. Cats are wonderful creatures! Loved this collection! Thank you Ms. Rich and Ms. Munoz!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
March 14, 2021
Excellent! Every cat lover should read this adorable book.
April 2, 2021
As someone who loves cats and has their own (mine came into my room while I was reading this), I was very excited to read 'Cat Tales' - it definitely did not disappoint one bit! I love the art style and little doodles of cats that was included in each chapter, they made me very happy to see and made the book much more enjoyable.
The layout/formation of this book made it very easy to read and navigate through. There are four different chapters, and then sub-chapters that all link together. As this is how the layout goes, I will include each of the chapters in this review and my thoughts of them. I also wanted to mention how I enjoyed when the authors used rhetorical questions, like at the beginning of some of the chapters, as I was able to think more about my own cat and what she does (or what she doesn't do...) - although it sounds weird now that I write it, it just made the experience of reading this more enjoyable.
Chapter 1 - Cats Throughout History: This was a very informative chapter that teaches you a lot about cats from different countries and decades, whether it be their importance, their breeds and where they came from, or even awards that cats have, such as the Dickin Medal. However, the whole book by itself is informative. In the 4th Chapter, Famous Cats, under the sub-chapter Famous Film Felines (love that title!), I learned that Taiwan has a Cat Film Festival - that, and many other things, I didn't know before and came as a shock to me. On my way to my old house, I would always see a figure of a Maneki-Neko outside someone's house, and learning the meaning/message behind it in this book made it much more of a warming experience to look back on. Learning about other cats, such as Unsinkable Sam, was really heart-warming too.
Chapter 2 - Cats with Jobs: This was the most funniest and enjoyable chapter in the book. I often had to think, "Wait, is this actually true?" because of the way it was written. But this isn't a negative thing at all, because I would be laughing trying to figure out the reality - in this chapter, the cats are literally talked about as if they were humans, "drinking wine". Even when I first read the title of the chapter, I was really confused on what it meant, but reading further on it all made sense. There was also a lot of funny puns in it, such as Mr. No Ears being "catnapped". This was my favourite chapter of them all and I just love the way that it was written.
Chapter 3 - Extraordinary Cats: This is where I have to complain and ask, "Why would you put a funny chapter and a sad chapter next to each other?!" because despite the fact that this taught me just how amazing cats can be, it also made me really sad when I was reading just how much effort cats take to get back to their owners (I even got worried when my cat went missing for a week once when we moved into our new home, but she came back all safe, meowing at 3am and waking up everyone in the house.) The sub-chapter, 'Hero Cats', made me even sadder, like learning about Scarlett. Cats literally put one of their nine lives at risk, and that's something they should be awarded/praised on - this is definitely the most heart-warming chapter.
Chapter 4 - Famous Cats: This chapter was really interesting because it allowed me to learn more about the importance of cats, similar to the 1st chapter. I already knew about Grumpy Cat, but learning about Ernest Hemingway's and Karl Lagerfeld's cats made them much more special in a way. I will definitely be looking into reading more of Ernest Hemingway after this, as this book just made him seem so extraordinary despite not even talking about what he's most known for.
Overall, I really LOVED this book. I don't only recommend it to other cat lovers, but I also recommend it to people who might just want to learn more about them, or change their opinions on them (as this just made my love grow for them which I thought was impossible). Honestly, I just recommend it to anyone... Even if you don't like these types of books, there should be no fear into reading this because of how amusing it was.
The layout/formation of this book made it very easy to read and navigate through. There are four different chapters, and then sub-chapters that all link together. As this is how the layout goes, I will include each of the chapters in this review and my thoughts of them. I also wanted to mention how I enjoyed when the authors used rhetorical questions, like at the beginning of some of the chapters, as I was able to think more about my own cat and what she does (or what she doesn't do...) - although it sounds weird now that I write it, it just made the experience of reading this more enjoyable.
Chapter 1 - Cats Throughout History: This was a very informative chapter that teaches you a lot about cats from different countries and decades, whether it be their importance, their breeds and where they came from, or even awards that cats have, such as the Dickin Medal. However, the whole book by itself is informative. In the 4th Chapter, Famous Cats, under the sub-chapter Famous Film Felines (love that title!), I learned that Taiwan has a Cat Film Festival - that, and many other things, I didn't know before and came as a shock to me. On my way to my old house, I would always see a figure of a Maneki-Neko outside someone's house, and learning the meaning/message behind it in this book made it much more of a warming experience to look back on. Learning about other cats, such as Unsinkable Sam, was really heart-warming too.
Chapter 2 - Cats with Jobs: This was the most funniest and enjoyable chapter in the book. I often had to think, "Wait, is this actually true?" because of the way it was written. But this isn't a negative thing at all, because I would be laughing trying to figure out the reality - in this chapter, the cats are literally talked about as if they were humans, "drinking wine". Even when I first read the title of the chapter, I was really confused on what it meant, but reading further on it all made sense. There was also a lot of funny puns in it, such as Mr. No Ears being "catnapped". This was my favourite chapter of them all and I just love the way that it was written.
Chapter 3 - Extraordinary Cats: This is where I have to complain and ask, "Why would you put a funny chapter and a sad chapter next to each other?!" because despite the fact that this taught me just how amazing cats can be, it also made me really sad when I was reading just how much effort cats take to get back to their owners (I even got worried when my cat went missing for a week once when we moved into our new home, but she came back all safe, meowing at 3am and waking up everyone in the house.) The sub-chapter, 'Hero Cats', made me even sadder, like learning about Scarlett. Cats literally put one of their nine lives at risk, and that's something they should be awarded/praised on - this is definitely the most heart-warming chapter.
Chapter 4 - Famous Cats: This chapter was really interesting because it allowed me to learn more about the importance of cats, similar to the 1st chapter. I already knew about Grumpy Cat, but learning about Ernest Hemingway's and Karl Lagerfeld's cats made them much more special in a way. I will definitely be looking into reading more of Ernest Hemingway after this, as this book just made him seem so extraordinary despite not even talking about what he's most known for.
Overall, I really LOVED this book. I don't only recommend it to other cat lovers, but I also recommend it to people who might just want to learn more about them, or change their opinions on them (as this just made my love grow for them which I thought was impossible). Honestly, I just recommend it to anyone... Even if you don't like these types of books, there should be no fear into reading this because of how amusing it was.
March 27, 2021
First sentence: Cats are the most commonly kept pets in the world. The relationship between people and cats goes back thousands of years, and the more we uncover about our past, the more we see that cats have been living alongside us for longer than we ever knew.
Premise/plot: Cat Tales highlights stories of...you guessed it...fantastic felines. Readers should expect short stories--or tales--starring cats throughout the ages. A few cats readers may be familiar with--especially adult readers--but plenty of the stars will be new names and stories.
Blended in with these stories are a few more generalized articles about cats. Descriptions. Behaviors. Advice.
My thoughts: I love, love, love the idea of this book. I'm not sure I love it as much as I'd hoped. That doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. This is a nonfiction book sharing true stories of cats. That means that all stories aren't happy-happy-joy-joy stories. Some of the stories are, well, the opposite of happy--as my sister would say: sad, sad, super sad. That doesn't mean sad stories aren't worth knowing.
As is the case with a book of stories--true or not--I found myself loving some, liking some, and well, not caring equally about each and every one.
Here is one of my favorites,
This is another story about a brave cat during World War II. Faith was the name given to a plucky stray cat who sought sanctuary in St. Augustine’s and St. Faith Church in the City of London. She became a much-loved member of the congregation, and in return for food, shelter, and affection, she kept the mice at bay. In August, the rector noticed she was getting fatter, and one morning, when she didn’t turn up for breakfast, Father Ross found her curled up in her basket with a kitten. It was white with black ears and tail, and because of its markings, the little tom was named Panda. On September 6, Faith pleaded with Father Ross to let her out of his study. She picked up Panda by the scruff of his neck and took him to a cold nook in the basement. Twice, Father Ross gently carried Panda back to the warmth of the basket, but each time Faith took her kitten back down. Realizing that Faith felt that Panda was in some kind of danger, Father Ross brought the basket down and left them snuggling together. Three days later, Father Ross was returning home when the air-raid sirens sounded. He spent the night in a shelter, and woke up to the news that many buildings had been destroyed. St. Augustine’s had suffered a direct hit and, a fire officer told him that no one could have survived, not even a cat. Risking his own life, Father Ross searched through the rubble for Faith until he heard a muffled meow. Faith was dusty but uninjured, and underneath her was Panda, safe and sound. Not long after, the church roof collapsed.
The story of Faith’s devotion to her kitten spread. She was proposed for a Dickin Medal, but as this was only awarded to animals in the armed forces, Faith was awarded a special silver medal instead—an event that was reported in newspapers worldwide. Father Ross had her photo taken, and his dedication to her began: “Faith… the bravest cat in the world.”
Premise/plot: Cat Tales highlights stories of...you guessed it...fantastic felines. Readers should expect short stories--or tales--starring cats throughout the ages. A few cats readers may be familiar with--especially adult readers--but plenty of the stars will be new names and stories.
Blended in with these stories are a few more generalized articles about cats. Descriptions. Behaviors. Advice.
My thoughts: I love, love, love the idea of this book. I'm not sure I love it as much as I'd hoped. That doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. This is a nonfiction book sharing true stories of cats. That means that all stories aren't happy-happy-joy-joy stories. Some of the stories are, well, the opposite of happy--as my sister would say: sad, sad, super sad. That doesn't mean sad stories aren't worth knowing.
As is the case with a book of stories--true or not--I found myself loving some, liking some, and well, not caring equally about each and every one.
Here is one of my favorites,
This is another story about a brave cat during World War II. Faith was the name given to a plucky stray cat who sought sanctuary in St. Augustine’s and St. Faith Church in the City of London. She became a much-loved member of the congregation, and in return for food, shelter, and affection, she kept the mice at bay. In August, the rector noticed she was getting fatter, and one morning, when she didn’t turn up for breakfast, Father Ross found her curled up in her basket with a kitten. It was white with black ears and tail, and because of its markings, the little tom was named Panda. On September 6, Faith pleaded with Father Ross to let her out of his study. She picked up Panda by the scruff of his neck and took him to a cold nook in the basement. Twice, Father Ross gently carried Panda back to the warmth of the basket, but each time Faith took her kitten back down. Realizing that Faith felt that Panda was in some kind of danger, Father Ross brought the basket down and left them snuggling together. Three days later, Father Ross was returning home when the air-raid sirens sounded. He spent the night in a shelter, and woke up to the news that many buildings had been destroyed. St. Augustine’s had suffered a direct hit and, a fire officer told him that no one could have survived, not even a cat. Risking his own life, Father Ross searched through the rubble for Faith until he heard a muffled meow. Faith was dusty but uninjured, and underneath her was Panda, safe and sound. Not long after, the church roof collapsed.
The story of Faith’s devotion to her kitten spread. She was proposed for a Dickin Medal, but as this was only awarded to animals in the armed forces, Faith was awarded a special silver medal instead—an event that was reported in newspapers worldwide. Father Ross had her photo taken, and his dedication to her began: “Faith… the bravest cat in the world.”
March 29, 2021
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!
Read
April 4, 2021Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this! I think that it was so much fun and a very easy read. I felt that the stories were interesting and gripping and it was so easy just to keep reading. I loved the illustrations so much and loved how they added so much atmosphere to the book. If you or someone you love is a cat lover, I would definitely recommend this one!
I loved this! I think that it was so much fun and a very easy read. I felt that the stories were interesting and gripping and it was so easy just to keep reading. I loved the illustrations so much and loved how they added so much atmosphere to the book. If you or someone you love is a cat lover, I would definitely recommend this one!
March 29, 2021
You may already know Bob the Street Cat and Grumpy Cat, now it's time to meet Masha, Tama, Mayor Stubbs, and over thirty other completely clever cats. In "Cat Tales," by Penelope Rich, there are forty profiles of famous, and not-so-famous felines from ancient history to modern day internet sensations.
Some of the stories are inspiring, and all are interesting. Cats were domesticated more recently than dogs, but there are more cats in households in the U.S. than dogs, and it's easy to see why from these vignettes. The illustrations by Isabel Muñoz perfectly complement the tales. (The drawing of Masha is my favorite.)
From soldier cats to sailor cats to nanny cats, and all cats in between, this is a great book for not only its target audience of middle graders, but adults.
Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from Arcturus Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Some of the stories are inspiring, and all are interesting. Cats were domesticated more recently than dogs, but there are more cats in households in the U.S. than dogs, and it's easy to see why from these vignettes. The illustrations by Isabel Muñoz perfectly complement the tales. (The drawing of Masha is my favorite.)
From soldier cats to sailor cats to nanny cats, and all cats in between, this is a great book for not only its target audience of middle graders, but adults.
Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy from Arcturus Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
April 4, 2021
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.
April 3, 2021
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.
April 3, 2021
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.
May 6, 2021
Review to come.
July 26, 2023
10. Mooie verhalen en illustraties over bijzondere katten.
March 20, 2021
Thank you to Arcturus and NetGalley for the ARC of this delightful book in exchange for my opinion.
Nothing quite as uplifting as an animal story. This book was filled with stories about America's most popular and cherished pet. This volume includes stories about all sorts of famous cats. Cats with historical significance as well as famous cats. The ebook includes some interactive links which is a fun touch.
This book featured stories about cats from all around the world, through time, and with widely different backgrounds. There were also famous cats that we know today, such as Grumpy Cat. It also included recognizable icons, such as the Maneki Neko, or "beckoning cat" that we have all seen thousands of times in our daily lives, but had no idea that she is based on a real cat. This volume is written in such a way that will appeal to all ages. The stories are concise but not, in any way, simplified. As soon as I finished this book I turned back to the first page and began to read it with my two daughters. They are delighting in it as much as I am. They are able to read the words without feeling as if they are being talked down to. We are finding ourselves needing to read it with our cats nearby though. The stories are making us long for their calming company. Cat Tales also includes a small section on caring for cats and kittens. The illustrations by Isabel Munoz are charming.
Thank you to both author and illustrator for this volume. Please keep writing books like this.
Nothing quite as uplifting as an animal story. This book was filled with stories about America's most popular and cherished pet. This volume includes stories about all sorts of famous cats. Cats with historical significance as well as famous cats. The ebook includes some interactive links which is a fun touch.
This book featured stories about cats from all around the world, through time, and with widely different backgrounds. There were also famous cats that we know today, such as Grumpy Cat. It also included recognizable icons, such as the Maneki Neko, or "beckoning cat" that we have all seen thousands of times in our daily lives, but had no idea that she is based on a real cat. This volume is written in such a way that will appeal to all ages. The stories are concise but not, in any way, simplified. As soon as I finished this book I turned back to the first page and began to read it with my two daughters. They are delighting in it as much as I am. They are able to read the words without feeling as if they are being talked down to. We are finding ourselves needing to read it with our cats nearby though. The stories are making us long for their calming company. Cat Tales also includes a small section on caring for cats and kittens. The illustrations by Isabel Munoz are charming.
Thank you to both author and illustrator for this volume. Please keep writing books like this.
April 26, 2021
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to write an honest and sincere review.
This book reminds me of a similar book that was popular when I was a kid. It has short, interesting vignettes about famous cats throughout history, as well as some cats that have become popular through social media in the past few years. It would make an excellent read for a middle grade student who likes books about pets.
The stories are all very heart-warming, and brief. This helped to make it easier to read since I was able to read a story or two while I was taking a break. I think many kids would love to read a book like this that did not take them forever to read. If they did not finish the entire book, they would still enjoy the stories that they did get to finish, perhaps choosing to check it out again if they had borrowed it from the library.
The illustrations in this book are very cute, but it would be great to see pictures of the actual cats, if it were possible. The real-life pictures would be more engaging, and might encourage young readers to do some research on the cats in the book.
This book reminds me of a similar book that was popular when I was a kid. It has short, interesting vignettes about famous cats throughout history, as well as some cats that have become popular through social media in the past few years. It would make an excellent read for a middle grade student who likes books about pets.
The stories are all very heart-warming, and brief. This helped to make it easier to read since I was able to read a story or two while I was taking a break. I think many kids would love to read a book like this that did not take them forever to read. If they did not finish the entire book, they would still enjoy the stories that they did get to finish, perhaps choosing to check it out again if they had borrowed it from the library.
The illustrations in this book are very cute, but it would be great to see pictures of the actual cats, if it were possible. The real-life pictures would be more engaging, and might encourage young readers to do some research on the cats in the book.
May 14, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: What is almost as good as having a fuzzy purr machine in your lap? Reading about fuzzy purr machines throughout history. This is an excellent book for the budding crazy cat lady or cat guy. It is filled with lots of stories, some from antiquity and others ripped out of the headlines or right off the feed in social media.
There are cats of whom we are all acquainted and there are some newbies, even though they lived a long, long time ago. They are hero cats, inspirational cats, working cats, loyal cats, and all sorts of amazing moggies. Their stories encompass both the famous and the common folk. But what they share is the amazing bond that we felines have chosen to have with you humans.
Unlike dogs, it was our choice. It is always our choice and we always choose you, not the other way around. But we decided that our interests were mutually beneficial and moved in. You humans are very lucky we did because I shudder to think where you might have been without kitty snoopervision.
Anyway, this is a sweet book, easy to read and enjoyable. I give it the full five purrs and two paws up.
There are cats of whom we are all acquainted and there are some newbies, even though they lived a long, long time ago. They are hero cats, inspirational cats, working cats, loyal cats, and all sorts of amazing moggies. Their stories encompass both the famous and the common folk. But what they share is the amazing bond that we felines have chosen to have with you humans.
Unlike dogs, it was our choice. It is always our choice and we always choose you, not the other way around. But we decided that our interests were mutually beneficial and moved in. You humans are very lucky we did because I shudder to think where you might have been without kitty snoopervision.
Anyway, this is a sweet book, easy to read and enjoyable. I give it the full five purrs and two paws up.
November 4, 2023
Though it took me a while to get through (given that I'd read, like, one cat's story every couple of days), this was a really cute book. It tells the stories of many different cats, from their heroic journeys to their strong bonds with their owners to those who stole the hearts of millions on the internet. Each of the stories are quite brief and honestly kinda leave you wanting more. But given that the book is made for kids, I can't complain. I'll just have to take advantage of the "Further Reading" section and dig a little further into the stories of some of these cats. (I have already had A Street Cat Named Bob on my TBR and watchlist for quite some time now! Maybe I should finally get around to reading the book and watching the film!)
(I also will admit that I have a Grumpy Cat plushie somewhere at home and that my family used to compare me to Grumpy Cat whenever we saw her merch (mostly t-shirts and posters) in stores. It was almost like an unofficial nickname for me and I happily embraced it. I have a lot of love for that grumpy-looking feline. May she rest in peace ❤)
(I also will admit that I have a Grumpy Cat plushie somewhere at home and that my family used to compare me to Grumpy Cat whenever we saw her merch (mostly t-shirts and posters) in stores. It was almost like an unofficial nickname for me and I happily embraced it. I have a lot of love for that grumpy-looking feline. May she rest in peace ❤)
May 25, 2021
Cat Tales is an awesome, and mostly incredibly cute, collection of stories about special cats that have walked this earth. The book consists out of 4 chapters: Cats Throughout History, Cats with Jobs, Extraordinary Cats and Famous cats. Cat Tales has a total of 40, well, cat tales and each tale is about 3 pages with a beautiful illustration of the feline it's about.
I think this book is fun for young and old. I'm 21 years old and I still enjoyed it tremendously. I even looked up some of the cats because I was interested in reading more about them! And because the tales are so short, you can read them any time and anywhere! You can read the book in one sitting (like I did), one story every night before you go to bed, and even while you're waiting for someone.
It's not a long read, so I highly recommend that if you love cats, you read this book!
I think this book is fun for young and old. I'm 21 years old and I still enjoyed it tremendously. I even looked up some of the cats because I was interested in reading more about them! And because the tales are so short, you can read them any time and anywhere! You can read the book in one sitting (like I did), one story every night before you go to bed, and even while you're waiting for someone.
It's not a long read, so I highly recommend that if you love cats, you read this book!
March 11, 2021
The cover of this book will undoubtedly appeal to young cat lovers as will the illustrations inside. They are adorable. Cat lovers will also enjoy browsing through the content of this title. Inside are short stories about many famous cats. The book is divided into categories including Cats Throughout History; Cats with Jobs; Extraordinary Cats; and Famous Cats. There are also sections on caring for cats and kittens and further reading suggestions. I enjoyed learning about Hemingway’s cats and Unsinkable Sam who survived the sinking of three warships during WWII. There are many additional entries here, all of which are fun to read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
March 17, 2021
arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This was such an adorable and informative read! As a cat lover, I was instantly drawn in by the cover and the stories kept me reading until I ultimately finished this in one sitting.
We follow cats throughout history, we see famous cats and hero cats and just learn about how wonderful and amazing cats can be.
I really loved this! I loved seeing all of these stories and the art inside was so cute. It added an extra level of comfort that this book already exudes.
I highly recommend this if you’re a cat lover!
4/5⭐️
This was such an adorable and informative read! As a cat lover, I was instantly drawn in by the cover and the stories kept me reading until I ultimately finished this in one sitting.
We follow cats throughout history, we see famous cats and hero cats and just learn about how wonderful and amazing cats can be.
I really loved this! I loved seeing all of these stories and the art inside was so cute. It added an extra level of comfort that this book already exudes.
I highly recommend this if you’re a cat lover!
4/5⭐️
March 15, 2021
I received an e-ARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cat Tales is a collection of stories about famous and extraordinary cats from all over the world, and throughout history. From the first cat in space, to the pet cat of an ancient Pharaoh's brother, these stories are sweet and fun. I also really loved the cute illustrations that accompanied them.
I'd definitely recommend this for young readers who love cats, though it's fun for adult cat lovers too.
Cat Tales is a collection of stories about famous and extraordinary cats from all over the world, and throughout history. From the first cat in space, to the pet cat of an ancient Pharaoh's brother, these stories are sweet and fun. I also really loved the cute illustrations that accompanied them.
I'd definitely recommend this for young readers who love cats, though it's fun for adult cat lovers too.
March 29, 2021
I was kindly provided by Net galley with a copy of this book in exchange for review :)
If you are a cat lover like myself, then this book is a must have for your shelf. I found this book to be packed with really interesting facts about cats and I learned so much from reading it! I loved reading about all different kinds of cats and their stories, especially 'Tara' and 'All Ball.' Not only was this book informative, but it also has ADORABLE illustrations of cats and kittens dotted throughout! A must read for cat lovers!
If you are a cat lover like myself, then this book is a must have for your shelf. I found this book to be packed with really interesting facts about cats and I learned so much from reading it! I loved reading about all different kinds of cats and their stories, especially 'Tara' and 'All Ball.' Not only was this book informative, but it also has ADORABLE illustrations of cats and kittens dotted throughout! A must read for cat lovers!
April 1, 2021
I enjoyed reading this cute book about true cat stories! These were all cats that were famous in some way and contributed to an important life or event. The stories were very informative and told about some interesting cats that most people have not heard of.
This heart-warming book of cat stories would be a great match for all cat lovers. It is very light-hearted and gives a unique glimpse into the lives of these amazing cats.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced copy given in exchange for my honest review.
This heart-warming book of cat stories would be a great match for all cat lovers. It is very light-hearted and gives a unique glimpse into the lives of these amazing cats.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced copy given in exchange for my honest review.
May 2, 2022
Middle grade. Nonfiction. Cats.
Highlights famous cats from history to the present day.
Most cats get one full page illustration and a full page of text.
Sailing cats, hero cats and social media cats.
I enjoyed reading about the cats from history. They left out quite a few - where was Morris? Many I knew already, some were new. I wish there had been photos when possible and not just cartoon cats. Still a fun read.
Highlights famous cats from history to the present day.
Most cats get one full page illustration and a full page of text.
Sailing cats, hero cats and social media cats.
I enjoyed reading about the cats from history. They left out quite a few - where was Morris? Many I knew already, some were new. I wish there had been photos when possible and not just cartoon cats. Still a fun read.
March 31, 2021
Do you love cats? Do you love animals? Then this book is for you! Remember to adopt, don’t shop! Pets are so good for our mental health. It’s not surprise that our pet cats give us feel good stories! That’s what this book is all about. Learn about some famous cats, some ancient cats, and interesting cats!
I just reviewed Cat Tales by Penelope Rich & Isabel Muñoz. #NetGalley
I just reviewed Cat Tales by Penelope Rich & Isabel Muñoz. #NetGalley
June 17, 2021
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
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