No comments about That Darn Cat.

No comments about The Cat Who Went Up the Creek (The Cat Who Mysteries, 24).

5 comments about Babette (Clare Newberry Classics).

1. It's wonderful that Clare Turlay Newberry's books are being reissued for another generation to enjoy! Babette is a charming story for animal lovers of all ages.



2. I first became familiar with Clare Newberry's books a couple of years ago when a lady came into the Barnes & Noble store where I work looking for 'Babette,' which was read to her as a little girl (at least some 40 years prior). At that time, the book was still out of print, but for some reason, this lady's request stuck in my mind.

   I was very excited when I saw that 'Babette' and other Newberry titles had been reissued and were on display in our store. I love cats, and the charcoal illustrations in these books are simply precious (I have made my coworkers sick, gushing over them as I do!). I figure any book that someone will actively seek out after 40 or more years is a bona fide gem. I have since collected all of Newberry's cat books (Smudge, Mittens, April's Kittens...). Young cat & kitten lovers will especially prize these beautiful books!




3. I first read this over 30 years ago when I was six. It made me want a siamese cat. I have lived with a succession of them from age 16 onwards. The illustrations are still with me now. hurry up and reprint it, I'm sure Im not the only onewaiting to buy it.



4. Due to having a "one cat" apartment, after BABETTE had been completed, my mother took Babette to live with her own parents in Flint, MI. As Clare told the story, "At first, my rather taciturn father regarded Babette with skepticism and said','She looks like a weasel! Of course, my mother loved Babette. However, Babette had made up her mind to win Dad and followed him around,looking up at him as if to say 'You great big wonderful man!'

   In a few days, I noticed Daddy edging over on his chair to make room for Babette. Before I'd left he'd get up in the middle of the night to make sure she was covered in her basket. I've just had a letter saying that he now takes her walking on a leash, and doesn't care a whoop what the neighbors think of that!"

   Both Babette and Mittens spent their retirement years living with my grandparents in their cozy little house. I am glad BABETTE is newly printed--even if it is listed as "out of print," it is brand-new.




5. This was my favorite book from childhood. I still have it. I am 65 years old.

1 comments about Guide to Owning a Siamese Cat (Guide to Owning).

1. While I find this book enjoyable because it is about my favorite breed, I feel that a lot more photos of the different point colors could have been included. Also, a little more information on the different "types" of Siamese, such as applehead, classic, or wedge would have been interesting. The author implies that exhibitors are breeding problems within the breed by breeding for a "wedge" type, but neglects to say what type of problems and I came away with the impression that she does not approve of the show standard for Siamese. Several good photos of show type Siamese are included however. Overall it is a good book which perhaps just needs to be updated.

1 comments about Sagwa The Chinese Siamese Cat: Bow Wow Meow.

1. As my family is made up of both biological and adopted children I found this book very helpful. We adopted acrossed race lines so our sons do not look like our biological family. This book gave us a warm and loving way to talk about how the world might see them and whether that matters in making us a family. Books about looking different because of adoption for this age group are hard to find. I would recommend this book to any family with young children involved in transracial adoption.

No comments about Princess Sheegwa (Sagwa The Chinese Siamese Cat).

No comments about The Cat Who Robbed a Bank [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD).

5 comments about Cats in the belfry.

1. When I read this book, I was in an airport, and I had to hide my face in my coat because I couldn't stop laughing. If you have ever been owned by a siamese cat, this is a book you just have to read, I loved it!



2. I got this book on Friday and read it through twice within 48 hours, laughing more loudly the second time, and rushing to find someone that I could share excerpts from the book. Even though the book was first published 45 years ago, it has not gone out of style. Anyone who has Siamese cats today can still identify with Ms. Tovey's experiences with Sugeih, Solomon and Sheba. I can't recommend this book enough and encourage an enterprising publisher to put all of Ms. Tovey's books back in print so everyone in the world can read them.



3. No matter what you think of cats, sitting down with this book will give you a quiet chuckle.

   If you are among those unfortunates who have yet to discover the joys of being owned by a cat, you will be able to indulge the ever-pleasant pass-time of feeling smugly superior to this poor deluded couple who find themselves willing slaves to their delightful but demanding Siamese.

   If you are one of the lucky ones currently living under the paw of a common or garden variety moggie, you will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and think "it could be worse" as you search the supermarket shelves for their favourite brand of cat food (without which you dare not show your face at home).

   And if you are one of the fortune-favoured (?) few who have lost your heart (and possibly your reason) to a Siamese, you will enjoy the consolation of knowing that at least you're not alone.

   The book is a delight for cat lovers and non cat lovers alike. Warm, wry and witty, it encourages empathy without expecting conversion. One of my absolute favourite cat books. And if you enjoy it, there's also a sequel - "Cats in May".




4. I read this book what seems like a thousand years and a million miles ago... but I love it still, and remember my own dear friends Tao, Lua, Charles, Misty, Mia, Ting, Tang, Dylan, Sasha, and Blue, when I re-read it again for the umpteenth time. Winston and Simon respectively leaning on my arm and chewing the corner of the book that is taking my attention from them.
   
   This story will make you laugh over and over, and if you aren't yet one, will make you yearn to be the slave of a Siamese cat.
   
   I would reccommend it to children and adults.



5. I bought this book because I love cats and am always in search of good cat books. This one was disappointing though, despite the good reviews. The inconsistent and poor grammar was distracting. And even though I love cats, this book managed to turn me off Siamese ones. Through the book, I now understand that they are very loud troublemakers. For those who love Siamese cats however, this book may be entertaining.

5 comments about The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (Cat Who... (Audio)).

1. In a series that for many years was one of my very favorites this is one title I never cared for. The reason is simple, Quill comes off as such a total jerk. If the main character comes off as unlikeable it's hard to much care about what happens. I will give one example of what I am talking about. In this book there is a sucicide. This man just walks out on his wife and child to live in Pickaxe for no reason what so ever. { All this is set up in The Cat Who.. Talked to Ghosts} When his wife lets him know she will not take him back he kills himself and Quill makes the wife into a heel as if this mans own actions had nothing to do with the situation. It was at that point I stopped reading. For some I am sure this would be perfectly fine but it stuck in my craw. But of the first 14 books in the series this is the only one I would not recomend.



2. Jim Qwilleran, the star of this series, is the heir to the vast Klingenschoen fortune. He lives with his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere.

   The action opens with the Qwill and the cats settling in to their latest residence, the newly remodeled apple barn. The peace is shattered as the Theater Club drops by for a house (barn) warming party. When the last of the party goers leave Qwill discovers that one is unable to go on his own power, he has been murdered just outside Qwill's door! The story then focuses on the deceased, Hilary VanBrook, principal of Pickax High School and director of the latest Theater Club production. When a fellow actor disappears he becomes the chief suspect. Qwill, of course, believes that the answer lies elsewhere and, aided by the cats, begins to investigate.

   His attention is divided however, his latest lady friend, Polly Duncan, is acting strangely - perhaps he has a rival for her affections. Koko and Yum Yum are similiarly distracted by a new activity - bird watching, especially cardinals. The trio presses on, even traveling out of Moose County looking for answers. In the end the mysteries are solved and life in Moose County continues.

   I found this one of the less satisfying books in the series. The action begins nearly a year after the end of the previous book. The character of the second victim, Dennis Hough, who was Iris Cobb's son - introduced in The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts - has changed character slightly, and earned Qwill's trust and respect since we first met him. The motive for his death is weak and there is no real explanation given for the breakup of his family.

   Qwill's relationship with Polly is one of the themes of this story and though it is given quite a bit of attention I felt that it was more of a tease. Also, as with the previous novel, I felt that the ending had been rushed with some of the threads left a bit loose.

   If you are a devotee of the series you will want to read this one, especially for the Polly and Qwill story. If you are new to series perhaps starting elsewhere would be better, but if you a just looking for a good mystery this may not be your best choice.




3. The 12th book of this series starts with Qwilleran settled into his new home, an old apple barn that has been restored and turned into living quarters. The upper beams are about forty feet above the ground and the cats are in seventh heaven. Qwilleran's other project, building a community theater, has also been completed and a successful run of "Henry VIII" has just finished. When the director, school principal Hilary VanBrook had proposed this play nobody thought it would fly, but the unpopular director had pulled it off in high fashion.
   
   Following the final performance the cast and crew descended on Qwilleran's barn for the cast party. As was normal, the much-maligned VanBrook kept pretty much to himself but for some reason Koko found him very interesting. Once the party guests had all departed, Koko called Qwilleran's attention to a single car that was still outside. Going out to investigate, Qwilleran found a body with a very fresh gunshot wound inside the abandoned car. Determined to mind his own business this time the former reporter called the police and tried to stay out of the investigation. Koko however would have none of that and started leaving clues.
   
   Despite Koko's clues however, Qwilleran continued his hands off approach except for sniffing around the victim's house looking for an old book. Finally though, Qwilleran gave in and started to sniff around because a friend of his was being falsely accused of the crime. This time our amateur sleuth solves the mystery on his own, not picking up on Koko's clues until it was all over. Yum Yum actually provides the most important clue, although completely by accident and once again the cats rush in to save the day when Qwilleran gets into deep trouble.
   
   Along the road to solving this murder Qwilleran runs into several sub-plots that add a great deal to the story. There is a suicide that may or may not be connected to the murder, a cat beauty pageant that turns into a riot and a horse race down in Lockmaster. On top of everything else, Qwilleran and Polly seem to be on the outs and Qwilleran is sure that the librarian has a new love interest.
   
   Like the previous books in this series, this book is filled with quirky and fun characters and features the wonderful backdrop of Moose County. The interaction between the characters is cleaver and imaginative and the cats are superbly portrayed. I am also happy to report that the mystery, while not always the center of the plot, is interesting and it is solvable. The clues are all there and if the reader pays close attention he/she can solve the mystery before Qwilleran.
   
   On the negative side, there are some questions involving the victim that are never answered. Maybe however, these questions will be answered in a future book because Qwilleran is thinking about doing a biography of the deceased. Given what he has already found out he just might have a best seller on his hands.



4. Another enjoyable quick reading mystery story by Lilian Jackson Braun featuring Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats Koko and Yum-Yum. In this episode, Hilary VanBrook, the disliked Principle of PickAx is found murdered in Qwilleran's orchard the morning after a cast party is thrown. Koko was the one to find the body and Qwilleran begins to piece together the clues. A cardinal singing outside the window holds the key to the suspect.



5. In the 12th book in The Cat Who...mystery series with KoKo and Yum Yum, James Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats move into their newly converted apple barn, and are celebrating the successful first run production by the Pickax Theatre Club. When the entire cast (except for one) shows up at Qwilleran's new home for a wrap-party and informal housewarming, he is happy to entertain many of his close friends. The party lasts well into the early morning hours, and when the last guest drives away, KoKo starts his impressive "death howl". Walking outdoors, Qwilleran learns there has been a shooting on his property, and the controversial high school principle has been murdered. Qwilleran and his amazing cats begin to investigate, and quickly dig into some truths buried in the nearby town of Lockmaster. And when Polly returns a day late from a wedding she attended in the town, Qwilleran starts to get suspicious about what is happening in Lockmaster. In between bird watching with KoKo, a cat pageant to find a look-alike for Tippy's beloved mascot, and a steeplechase, Qwilleran puts the pieces together on another murder in sleepy Moose County.
   
   This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time. This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall. The stories are charming, and I have fallen in love with Moose County and all of its residents. The mysteries themselves are not always very difficult to figure out...but that is not the allure of the series for many. The characters are endearing, and as you read the books in the series, you will feel like you know each one. The books are also a great read for pre-teens or those that have read and enjoyed the Nancy Drew series. I feel this series is the benchmark for many cozy mysteries today, and hope to enjoy this series for years to come. I highly recommend any (and all) of the books in this series.
   
   
   The 1st book in the series is called "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!

No comments about Siamese Cat (Pet Love).