Review by Booklist Review
Move over, Lassie. Cats are just as capable as dogs of protecting and rescuing their human companions. Though most owners would say falling down the stairs would barely elicit a yawn from their kitties, Singer has found a slew of cats that have done amazing things--from discovering a gas leak to locating a needed asthma inhaler. After a lively introduction and retellings of several stories, Singer discusses feline habits, including hunting. That leads to great mouse hunters (Towser, who lived in a Scottish distillery, caught almost 30,000!). Succeeding chapters cover cats who have been war heroes, world travelers, and, of course, lifesavers. Cats have even inspired great writers, such as T. S. Eliot. Along the way, Singer explains the physiological and psychological traits that make cats act the way they do. Written with affection and a bit of amazement, this book is a pleasure to read. Simple pencil drawings add interest, and the final stories about cats that survived 9/11 and Katrina are inspiring. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Singer's appreciative volume introduces cat after cat that has proven itself a hero. After a brief history of the feline's relationship with humans, the book is divided into chapters showcasing different instances in which these animals have been heroic. There are examples of fictional felines, such as Puss in Boots, and real-life cats like Bonnie, a British tortoiseshell that fought off a pair of burglars trying to steal dog food from a warehouse in 2001. Singer stretches the definition of heroism with the inclusion of chapters highlighting cats as muse, world traveler, and jack-of-all-trades. (The example of a cat that was elected mayor of Guffey, CO, in a publicity stunt is more daft than daring.) But this is a minor quibble. Cassel's black-and-white illustrations are realistic and expressive. The extensive bibliography has a good balance of text and online sources. Cat lovers will thoroughly enjoy this well-organized and entertaining work and the marvelous cats described in it, who often show that the easiest way to be a hero is to be a loving and dedicated friend.-Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Short chapters feature cats as heroes, world travelers, bodyguards, therapists, and more. Ranging from the legendary animal who helped Dick Whittington make his fortune to cats that have climbed mountains and acted in films, these stories, illustrated with black-and-white spot art, provide a historical framework and behavioral context that help readers better understand the mysterious and engaging feline world. Websites. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
