Review by Booklist Review
Here's a book for cat lovers and those who want to know more about caring for furry friends. Laidlaw offers a slew of information (not always particularly well organized) about cats: history, breeds, care, and habits of both domesticated and feral cats. But the book's centerpiece is the cat champions, or young people (some eight or nine years old) who have gone above and beyond to make life better for felines. Among them are a girl who started Blankets Fur Beasties, which collects blankets, quilts, towels, and other supplies for shelters; a seven-year-old boy, who volunteers for animal protection in China, feeding feral cats; and a family, led by their teen daughter who specializes in fostering cats. The format is busy, but cat lovers probably won't mind so many photos, and the sidebars are all informative. The list of organizations where kids can learn about ways they can help is extensive and useful.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Laidlaw takes children's love of cats and combines it with their interest in making a difference by introducing young people who are working to save these animals. The book begins with a chapter about cats in general-their history, attributes, breeds, and cat shows. He then describes "Cat Champions" in the United States and Canada and their efforts to help abandoned, injured, or homeless felines: a girl who helps trap and neuter cats in a colony near her home, high school students who construct outdoor shelters for feral cats, and others. Unfortunately, the book design can impede readers' efforts to extract the information successfully. Each spread includes several photos and so many facts in the main text, in sidebars, and in captions that the book is visually overwhelming. Still, the kids' actions should inspire readers to get involved with rescue efforts in their own communities. This title would be useful for its information on young people and their determination to protect cats everywhere.-Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ (c) Copyright 2014. 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 Kirkus Book Review
As he did in No Shelter Here (2012), Laidlaw offers a brief history and basic details about a particular kind of companion animal (in this case, cats) and recognizes individuals and organizations who advocate and care for them. Feline fanciers and casual browsers alike will be attracted by the numerous photosgenerally three to seven per double-page spread. Posed or candid, stock photos or personalized portraits, the pictures vary in size and placement but are crisp and colorful for the most part. They showcase oodles of cute cats and playful kittens, some accompanied by the humans who love them. The text, meanwhile, explores a variety of related topics, each covered in a few short paragraphs. From a young girl in China who speaks up against animal exploitation to Canadian and U.S. citizens, primarily children and teens, who volunteer in shelters, raise funds or tend to feral cats, the author profiles people making a difference. He also explains how cats behave, what they need and how readers can help. The friendly, conversational tone begins in the first few pages with a personal note that addresses readers directly and continues throughout. Backmatter includes a "Cat Lover's Pledge" as well as a page of Web resources, a glossary and an index. The straightforward message, good examples and plentiful resources may well combine to inspire new advocates. (Nonfiction. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
