Purr: Children's Book Illustrators Brag About Their Cats

by Michael J. Rosen (Editor)

Forty-three children's book illustrators celebrate the lovable, enigmatic, and mischievous cat, in a collection of stories that includes the writings of such artists as Lane Smith, Edward Gorey, Audrey Wood, Janell Cannon, and Peter Sis.

Genres: Cats, Animals, Picture Books, Childrens

42 pages, Library Binding

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Rosen's Website should provide all this and more. It's http://www.fidosopher.com.
Nonetheless: Michael J. Rosen is an American author and illustrator with over 120 books of fiction, nonfiction, humor, picture books, poetry, and more. With a strong interest in nature and animals, reflecting his animal behavior degree from Ohio State University, Rosen resides within a peaceful crease of Central Ohio with his pack of animal companions that include 2 small koi ponds he helped build on the 100 acres he shares in the foothills of the Ohio Appalachians. An avid dog lover, he was inspired by Chant, his newest Australian stumpy-tail cattle dog, which led to the creation of his newest book of fiction, The Tale of Rescue, which will be released in October 2015. With an MFA in poetry from Columbia University, Rosen also showcases his skills and talents in other projects such as The Maine Coon’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Cat Lovers (2015).

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In going through books I’ve read to add to Goodreads, I’m rediscovering some great ones. I reread this one of 42 children’s book illustrators who tell stories about their cats complete with illustrations. Although I think most of them are great my two favorites are: Diane Stanley who tells about a stray cat who has kittens in her laundry room and then moves the kittens behind the books in her bookcase, saying “Like a wise mother, she just thought an early exposure to books would be good for them” The illustration is priceless. And Tom Wharton who discovered his cat Rosebud reads because she began sitting on whatever he was reading. To be able to read in peace, he starting choosing obvious books for her like “Puss in Boots” and “Moby Dick,” but then learned she’ll read anything. He ends with: “For the past year and a half, she’s been reading ‘Gone with the Wind.’ It sits open on a chair near the radiator so she can read whenever she’s in the mood. Every few days I turn the page for her.” Each page of this book is as varied as the artists and their cats, and all are delightful. I love this book!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The combination of illustrations and stories about cats in this book are easily recognized by cat "owners". Cats are simply not as happy as dogs, but that doesn't mean they can't provide a lot of laughs to those who love them!

Here's to editor Michael Rosen who says, "Profits from this book, as well as from several others I have edited are undoing a little of the human carelessness that has brought so many unwanted pets into our overcrowded world. More than 250 artists and writers have helped in these collections, each of them donating work so that, together, as the Company of Animals Fund, we can offer grants to animal welfare agencies around the country."

Next up, the book he edited about dogs!

Introduction First Line: "I like to brag about cats."

[Radclyffe U-Haul · Rating 4 out of 5]

just a good book babey

[Ashleigh Gunty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of my most treasured children's collective story books. Michael j Rosen came and spoke to my school and I fell in love with his stories about his dog and I think the book was called speak concept the same as this one but with dogs instead of cats and then we adopted our first cat Rudy and I ended up getting per at my neighborhood Barnes & Noble. But before that I got all eyes on the pond but forgot to give it to him to sign when he was at my school so we sent it to him his dog Paris got to the mail before he did and ended up giving a dent to the back of the book so Michael j Rosen drew his dog looking at the pond in the back of the book so these two books are connected to some of the treasured memories of my childhood they are also fabulously illustrated and one of my favorite children's book illustrators wrote a book about tutankhamun as a kid but painted the illustrations on papyrus which I thought added level of authenticity to it and he's featured in this book it is wonderful.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you might expect, this book is beautifully illustrated and the range of styles is a lot of fun. it is surprising how many of the illustrators turned to childhood cats rather than currently-owned ones, and intriguing that some were fanciful (I'm sorry, but I don't believe your cat really flies around town on a bathmat) and some realistic. (Now I know where that illustration of the cat thermometer, that I've seen passed around in photocopied form, comes from!). I did not recognize many of the artists--if there is a bibliography of works they've illustrated somewhere in the book, it was not very noticeable!

[Sally Hegedus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book is wonderful! Filled with sweet and endearing illustrations and brief write-ups honoring emorable cats in the contributors' lives, it will be loved by children and adults who appreciate and love cats. It's sure to make you smile!

[YoSafBridg · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love, love, love this book~the title pretty much tells you what it is~and since they are children's book illustrators they know how to illustrate the stories that they tell!!!

[Abby Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was sweet and funny. If you ever loved a cat...

[Lauren Hahn]

This book is fantastic! Great illustrations by many authors who tell stories about their cats. What a fun book for children!

[Holly Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of fun little stories about people and their cats, each illustrated in a different style. My son and I enjoyed the variety of art and text, laughing and smiling through them all.