2 comments about Pet of the Met.

1. "Pet of the Met" is an enchanting story about a mouse and his family who live and work in the Metropolitan Opera House. The adventures of Maestro Petrini as he works as a page turner, and his subsequent run-in with Mefisto the cat, offer children an easy and interesting entrance to the world of opera, and to the story of "The Magic Flute". The illustrations are lively and colorful and the view of the "teeny-weeny" Petrinis dressed as characters from the Magic Flute never fails to raise giggles when I read this book to first-grade students.



2. I was so disappointed when I went to the Metropolitan Opera Shop at Lincoln Center in NYC to find that Pet of the Met was out of print. It's a wonderful story to introduce children to the world of opera. I read it to my children and now that I have grandchildren I wanted a copy for them. I was happy to find it on Amazon even though I had to pay a premium to get it second hand. This book is worth it.
   The book should be re-released for the next generation of future opera lovers.

5 comments about A Pussycat's Christmas.

1. Ann Mortimer's illustrations are outstanding. Margaret's word's capture "cat" PURR-fectly!
   
   I love the way Margaret writes - I have MANY of her books.
   
   For anyone who has a cat and Christmas: "...She went POUNCING around in it... and she ATE some it..." "... she waited for something to fall, ...to crash and to break" SO Cat!
   
   This book is great fun to read outloud with kids listening!



2. As usual, Margaret Wise Brown is as tuned in to animals as she is with children. She uses a kitten's viewpoint to describe the wonders of Christmas-sights, sounds, smells, and the way cats delight at playing with everything-wrappings, ribbons, ornaments, decorations. A beautiful, descriptive story.



3. Our family sets out A Pussycat's Christmas every year when dressing the house for the holidays. Last year our copy got dropped in a bucket of water. A calamity that required immediate purchase of another copy and express shipping.
   It's a charming tale. The illustration is excellent. Especially if you have a "Pussycat" look-a-like as we do this little book will become a part of your Christmas too.



4. Great Xmas book for the cat lover, and anyone who loves cat will recognize their cat and the Christmas tree.
   
   author of "Hobo Finds A Home"



5. This is a wonderful book - one of my grandaughters favorites. It's a great one to read aloud.

5 comments about My Cat Spit McGee.

1. I absolutely loved this little book! I saw the movie, "My Dog Skip" and was interested in reading the actual book and came across Spit and decided to buy both! I am a cat lover; have been all my life. It was really neat to read about Willie's journey into the cat world! Willie Morris' nostalgic writing style and how he learns to appreciate the uniqueness and quirky nature of the cat leaves you wanting more!



2. I finished this book with my beloved Siamese, Tia, draped across my lap. As she looked up at me and I gazed down at her, I wondered what I found lacking about this novel. Was it not gushing or reverential enough? Was Morris too languid or episodic? It wasn't too bad necessarily, but it didn't leap out demanding 5 stars like I was hoping for when I saw it. There are of course mild laughs to be had by some of the anecdotes, and by the end the author's conversion is complete. Willie Morris, who apparently was always a `dog' man, circuitously comes into the company of split eyed Spit McGee. Spit grows on Morris over time. The rest of the novel details their interaction and the constant comparisons to his previous dogs. There are a couple groups who will read this book, those that have been cat lovers all their lives, and those like Morris who are joiners. I fall into the former camp. I think my disaffection here boils down to impatience with those who don't grasp the allure and majesty of cats initially, and need to go on some sort of personal vision quest to `get' it. Arguably, that may make the late comers appreciative, but the author's constant questioning, comparing, and reassessing of the cats love is unnecessary for the born ailurophile. Juxtaposed to the sloppy, loud, non-focused devotion of a dog, when a cat chooses to grace you as an object of affection it is a supremely special gift. Thankfully, it appeared that Morris eventually realized this.



3. I read this book in one day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cats as much as I do. Great story!



4. Pet ownership is a responsibility as well as a joy. Owners who do not safeguard their pets are not doing the pets any favors; they are simply being irresponsible owners.
   
   When Morris writes, "I felt that [Spit McGee] should have one chance at least to become a father" I wanted to reach into his grave and slap him. In numerous other places he endangers his cat (and I assume dog in the earlier book) in the name of misplaced anthropomorphized freedom.
   
   These books should come with parental advisories: kids, don't try this at home.



5. Have read this a number of times ... ditto Morris's dog book ... continue to order both as gifts for first-time cat/dog-owners ... may they never go out of print!

5 comments about White Ghost Girls.

1. What I liked best about this book is the way the author could describe how someone is feeling in the most understandable terms. What I didn't like about this book is sometimes I wanted more information. The author would write about an island or a beach or some location. But I am not familiar with Hong Kong or Vietnam so I didn't know where it was or if it was 10 minutes away or 6 hours. Also sometimes she would write of items that I didn't know about -- for example lychee fruit -- what does it look like? what does it taste like? do you peel it? etc. Sometimes I couldn't visualize the details in my imagination. But I did love the variety of characters and the rich descriptions of their feelings. It was a nice short book.



2. Two American sisters Frankie 14 and Kate 13 live with their distant self-absorbed mother in Hong Kong in 1967. Their father is a photographer away covering the war in Vietnam. The girls are often left in the care of their Cantonese amah who is ill-equipped to deal with them. They get into all kinds of mischief. As Frankie becomes wilder and wilder Kate becomes the grown up sensible one who tries to save her older sister from her self-destructive behavior. This novel delicately deals with tragedy, sibling rivalry, first love, and some competition between the girls and their mother for their absentee father's affection. Woven into the background of the novel is the Cultural Revolution that manages to spill over from across the border. Interestingly, there were people in Hong Kong enjoying freedom and a high standard of living who paradoxically supported Mao's austere policies. It's short and easy to read but, beautifully written.



3. I picked this book for our book club (end of last year) and had searched and searched for the 'perfect' book. What drew me to the book were the vivid descriptions the book was supposed to have. I agree - that part was true, but the only reason I gave it a 3 was that it just didn't go over big at all with my club. Our of 8 members, only one really liked it. No one else really 'got' the story, though it is hauntingly and beautifully written. I felt bad because I so wanted to pick a book everyone would just swoon over and they just gave me weird looks.



4. This book has some beautiful passages, but it never grabs you with a good story or with characters that you want to learn more about. We read it for book club, and about 30% of the group loved it for its lyricism...but the rest of us, while respecting the skill with which it was crafted, were apathetic to the story. And it's the story that brings me to a book and keeps it on my mind. If it weren't for book club, I would not have finished it, honestly.



5. Strong characters, vivid descriptions of Hongkong scenes, good pacing - I still can't believe this is her first novel. I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone. It's a good book with a powerful ending that I still remember to this day.

5 comments about Just Me and My Babysitter.

1. I generally enjoy reading this series of books to my young daughter. But when reading Just Me and My Babysitter, I was not pleased to see the disobedience and disrespect of the main character in the book. I know that it is meant to be cute, but my child is a great imitator and these are not the things I would want her to be doing. I bought the book not knowing what the content was and was very disappointed.



2. While the children and I love the "Just Me" series, this one was particularly disappointing. The kids just don't appreciate the heavy sarcasm and disrespect, and were quite horrified that the babysitter ended up sleeping on the couch while the kids were up. The book is about disrespect, disobedience, a lack of adult control and is written in such a manner as to encourage children to copy it. I threw this book in the garbage.



3. "Just Me and My Babysitter" by Mercer Mayer was a pretty good book, but not one of the best by Mercer Mayer. It is a kid telling a story about what him, his sister and his babysitter do when his parents go out. The kid in the story thinks he is helping the babysitter out, by helping to do the dishes, making dinner, giving his sister a bath and things like that. The illustrations show that he is just making the babysitter angry because he keeps making messes and causing trouble. Kids would most likely find the book funny because the illustrations don't match when the words are saying. Some children might try to imitate what the pictures are showing, and cause trouble for their own parents or babysitter.



4. Another winner from Mr. Mayer! My son loves the Little Critter series and was quite pleased with the story. He had his first babysitter (other than the Grandparents) yesterday, so the timeliness wasn't lost on him. Neither was the sarcasm. The tone of the book is lighthearted. Critter helps the babysitter out with the meal and his little sister, with comical results. After the little sister is put to bed, the babysitter really shows her ineptitude and the fun really starts.
   I read some other reviews about how the story taught "disrespect" and "disobedience". I didn't see it teaching these traits as much as simply representing the facts of how children are.
   Lighten up the book is for kids.



5. They're short, they're funny, they're topical, and they're cheap.
   
   This one shows how Little Critter behaves with his babysitter.
   
   The text suggests that he's a model child - he helps out, he goes to bed on time, that sort of thing.
   
   The illustrations show that he kinda makes a mess, and refuses to go to bed, and his sitter falls asleep before he does. Hee.
   
   My nieces know that this is unrealistic behavior, but that just makes it funnier to them. We talk about how they *should* act when we read this book...!

5 comments about Cat Under Fire: A Joe Grey Mystery.

1. The concept of cats who can think and talk like people is a bit frightening. I'm not sure I want to think about what my five would have to say if they could! Apparently this ability comes from some sort of Celtic/Egyptian/Italian folklore/mythological roots. Sometimes however, Joe or Dulcie will say or think something that seems just a bit beyond belief for a cat even with this super ability. And more than once they demonstrated physical abilities that seemed unlikely even allowing for their being able to conceive of doing them. But this may be nit picking. After you get used to the idea, this is a good mystery. I have to admit I fell for a couple of red herrings. Dulcie is certain that the young man in jail for murder is innocent and she gets Joe Grey involved in a big way. Along the way they encounter all sorts of strange characters and a very nasty dog. Their escapades make for an enjoyable reading experience (just be sure to check your ideas about what cats can and can't do at the door). All things considered, if I had to choose, I think I would stay with Midnight Louie, Carol Nelson Douglas' street wise cat in Las Vegas. I prefer my cats a little more cat like and a little less people like. Fortunately I don't have to choose, I can have BOTH! Enjoy Murphy's Joe Grey and Dulcie then go check out Midnight Louie as well, you won't be disappointed.



2. I throughly enjoyed reading this as will many other lovers of the felines and crime solving genre. The characters are real and very lovable, and in all her books the author also creates intriguing little 'sub plots' which will pull you in if the main one does not. Humor mixed with tenderness--if you can handle that combination, this book is for you.



3. When a prominent artist is burned to death in her own studio, the two cat detectives can't believe it to be an accident. They set out to find out exactly what happened and like always they are into everything and keeping their house mates worried about them and Captain Harper off balance because he thinks the cats are involved in his anonymous tips. He doesn't want to admit, even to himself, that he believes simple little cats could do these unusual things. Joe and Dulcie are always kitty on the spot when something happens and to find clues to crimes. This is a good, interesting book. The author deserves credit for coming up with such an unusual series of stories.



4. I'm never disappointed in Shirley Rousseau Murphy's cat mystery books! That's more than I can say for a lot of others.



5. I probably shouldn't give this book a number rating because I was not aware when I tried to start this series that it was a fantasy mystery series. Anyway, not my cup of tea at all. People turning into cats, and cats talking and making telephone calls! Sorry, I can't say anything more about this book, but I will not continue the series.

5 comments about The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.

1. A great book for any women who loves cats. It tells about the very apprent female and feline love affair that's gone on for thousounds of years. It's really informative and interesting. It will make you feel closer to the special feline in your life. Remarkable book.



2. This book has been very insightful for me and some of my friends (this was a great gift item!). What I found most intriguing was the reconstruction of the make-up of "The Old Cat Lady" myth. It makes sense that it was built out of confusion, disdain, and the urge to make women feel repressed.
   
   The stories presented here are very enjoyable, and I found myself retelling them to several friends. It's nice to realize a bit of a community here.
   
   I thought this book was going to be totally unrelated to most of the other books I've been reading lately that are about Wicca. I was pleasantly surprised to find a little blurb about Wicca in chapter 3. I am definitely glad for the positive coverage, the more informed people are about various ways of life, the less bigoted the world will be.



3. This is a great book, especially for those that would like to know WHY so many wonmen are adopted by cats! We never really own a cat, nor should we and I think women understand this, as explained in the book. Cats are part of the family and because of that, the bond it strong. This book helped me to understand why.



4. Not a particularly entertaining read. It reads like a thesis paper, scholarly and ponderous. Felt like I was doing homework.



5. I wanted to read this book to further explore the question posed by the title and thought there would be some answers. If you have never read any books about cats and their history before, then there is much scholarship and lovingly done research in this book and that does make it worthwhile. She is obviously well-meaning, sincere and loves cats. However, the book doesn't really explore the "mysterious connection" in any interesting or conclusive fashion. Sadly, too, her writing is a bit clunky, repetitive and formulaic, especially in her various interviews. It felt like a research paper that someone suggested could be made "more interesting" with interviews with female cat owners. I just thought it would be a better book. The book on this subject has yet to be written.

1 comments about Cat & Mouse.

1. Another wonderful book from Ian S. His paintings just keep getting better and better. And he hand drew all the type, too, which looks extra cool running across the pages. My young son loved this book--it's smart, funny, and cute (just like my son, actually).

2 comments about Natural Healing For Dogs And Cats.

1. This book is easy to read and explains common pet problems such as barking, incontinence and stomach problems. It is nice to know that simple remedies sometimes are the best.



2. I bought this book for my mom since she has an aging dog. I read it before giving it to her and decided to get another one for myself. Even though I have house rabbits some of the recommendations still apply. If you love your pets, buy this book!

No comments about Human Anatomy & Physiology.