The Kitties Are Coming!

Inspired by her popular blog of the same name, Laurie Cinotto's adorable and entertaining book, "The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee" follows the adventures of the many (over 40!) kitten litters she has fostered over the past 7 years.  In addition to some beautiful -- and oftentimes hilarious -- photography, Cinotto also provides helpful tips and tricks that she's learned over the years, such as how to kitten proof your home, best practices for mealtime, and even how to create your own kitten toys out of cardboard.  A fun and worthwhile read!  HM

Meow!

Are you a cat lover?  Check out this gorgeous book, The Elegance of the Cat, comprised of a history of various breeds from antiquity through modern day.  Accompanying the text are beautiful photographs that show up-close details like fur texture and markings.  A great book to take home and flip through.  HM

Yes, Another Dog Story!

Giant George: Life with the World’s Biggest Dog by Dave Nasser with Lynne Barrett-Lee is the story of an irresistible puppy who grew to be almost five feet tall, seven feet long and 245 pounds.  In 2010 George made it into the Guinness Book of World Records and he has even appeared on Oprah.  Big in stature he also has a big heart.  Read all about his life with the Nasser family for a light-hearted, heart-warming family story. SG

Man's Best Friends

The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them by Wayne Pacelle is a must-read for animal lovers and advocates. Pacelle is the president of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and brings his wealth of experience dealing with animal rights issues to this engaging read. Through the book, Pacelle describes the innate kinship we have with animals, how that bond has been broken, and what we can do to reconnect. In a few especially gripping sections he details his jailhouse interview with Michael Vick, the bison hunt nipping at the borders of Yellowstone National Park, and the selfless acts of compassion and love shown by volunteers to the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Bond is a truly thought-provoking look into how we as a society interact with the creatures around us, and the sometimes steep price of that relationship.

For more info, check out Wayne Pacelle at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, August 6th. HM

Gotta Love Dewey!

You don't have to be a librarian to appreciate Dewey's Nine Lives, retired librarian Vicki Myron's second tribute to her library's beloved cat Dewey Readmore Books. Here, Myron tells new stories about Dewey's antics that didn't make the cut for the first book. Also included are tales (tails?) about six other extraordinary cats that are sure to give you a case of the warm fuzzies. If you are a cat owner, this heartwarming read will make you want to track down your feline friend and give him or her a cuddle. And if you don't have a cat, perhaps this book will inspire you to make the trek to the nearest animal rescue and adopt a new best friend. Either way, a wonderful read. And it would make a wonderful gift for the animal lover on your holiday shopping list!

Homer's Odyssey

Extraordinary dog stories, while fun and heartwarming, have become as common as kibble (Honestly, does anyone really care to hear how Lassie rescued little Timmy from a watery grave in the old well--yet again). Extraordinary cat stories, however... Well, these are a bit more unusual. Perhaps because felines themselves are a bit more selective in their actions, a bit more discriminating in their desire to please.

One such amazing cat is Homer, the hero and title character of Homer's Odyssey, by Gwen Cooper. Blind as a result of a kittenhood illness, Homer was adopted by Cooper out of pity for his seemingly helpless condition. However, Homer soon distinguished himself as not allowing his condition to slow him down and proved himself to be among the most extraordinary of extraordinary cats. Whether catching a fly mid-flight or defending his owner from a burgler, Homer is a shining example of not allowing a disability to diminish one's life in any way. Truly an inspirational and positive read! --AJL