Synergy: Cats

Cats are small, carnivorous mammals that have been domesticated as pets. They are known for catching mice, rats, and other small rodents. While some cats are kept as house pets, others live outdoors as feral cats or farm cats. Around 60 cat breeds are formally recognized.

Involve students in selecting a breed and creating a poster persuading others to adopt cats of this breed.

Read the recently published children’s picture book, then learn more at the website:

ATLAS OF CATS by Helena Harstova and Jana Sedlackova is part of the Atlases of Animal Companions series. This engaging picture book introduces readers to the world of cats, then provides an overview of a couple dozen breeds. It concludes with celebrity cats, cat care, and record holders. Readers will enjoy the attractive illustrations and short, informative text blocks. ARC courtesy of Albatros Media, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services.

Purina’s CAT BREEDS section features information about dozens of popular cat breeds. Each page includes basic information, temperament, characteristics, lifespan, colors, and other useful facts.

To visit the website, go to https://www.purina.com/cats/cat-breeds.

DAILY PAWS features a searchable cat breeds page. Users can search by cat length, pattern, temperament, or other traits.

To search the database, go to https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds.

Book Review: Dog Man Series

DOG MAN is a new series of graphic novels for children by Dav Pilkey featuring a dog-headed police officer.

Like Captain Underpants who was created by George and Harold, Dog Man is an unusual superhero made by a pair of friends. In the first book, this “crime-biting canine” is created when a police officer and his police dog are combined to save both lives. The resulting new superhero has some quirks, but he quickly gets to work capturing criminals like Petey the Cat and other evil doers. Two additional books including Unleashed and A Tale of Two Kittens explore stories featuring evil Petey the Cat. The latest addition to the series introduces Dog Man’s new sidekick Cat Kid. Together they become an effective crime fighting team.

Librarians will find a huge following for this hilarious new series. With endless jokes focusing on the relationship between dogs and cats, this new series will appeal to pet lovers along with fans of Captain Underpants.

Published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Catstronauts Series

CATSTRONAUTS by Drew Brockington is an adorable science fiction, graphic novel series for children.

The series kicks off with Mission Moon. In a world populated by cats, catStronauts must set up a solar power plant on the moon to save the planet. In the followup titled Race to Mars, the catStronauts compete with the CosmoCats to be the first cats on Mars.

Librarians will find this series to be an excellent addition of the growing collection of graphic novels aimed at the elementary grades. These simply illustrated books contain short, easy to read chapters perfect for children bridging beginning comics and more complex graphic novels.

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette on April 18, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Around America to Win the Vote

AROUND AMERICA TO WIN THE VOTE by Mara Rockliff tells the true story of two women and a kitten who set out on a 10,000 journey to promote a women’s right to vote.

In 1916, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke departed New York City on a journey across America. Their cross country crusade was intended to show that women could do anything and should have the right to vote.

The book concludes with background information, source notes, and a bibliography.

Librarians will find this compelling story useful for teachers introducing the idea of the women’s movement to young history students.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.mararockliff.com/.

Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: Pet First Aid

PET FIRST AID from the American Red Cross is an engaging medical reference app focusing on pet care.

This easy-to-use app provides veterinary advice for everyday emergencies common with dogs and cats.

Users can easily toggle between dog and cat information. Sections include the topics, learn, prepare, emergency, quizzes, and pets. Both emergency tools such as calling a vet, hospital locator, and early warning signs, along with emergency first aid are available. The short focused chunks of information are easy to understand.

Librarians will enjoy using this tool as an example of an app-based quick reference. Involve youth in comparing the use of reference books to apps. Discuss the pros and cons of app-based reference tools. Use it for informational reading activities. Put it in a display featuring books about pet care.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/pet-first-aid-by-ame…/id780415389.

Book Review: The Cat Who Came In Off the Roof

THE CAT WHO CAME IN OFF THE ROOF by Annie Schmidt is a sweet middle-grade fantasy featuring a shy newspaper reporter and the mysterious cat lady he befriends.

When Tibble is told that he writes too many articles about cats, he sets out to find more news-worthy stories. When he rescues a woman from a tree, he soon learns that she’s actually a cat in human form and has a nose for news. Together, they make a great news team. However not everyone is happy when they uncover a story about a corrupt businessman.

Originally published in the 70s, this Dutch classic has been translated for a new generation of young readers.

Librarians will find an audience for this book among the many children who enjoy cat stories, light humor, fantasy, and a hint of mystery.

To learn more about this author, go to http://www.annie-mg.com/.

Published by Delacorte, an imprint of Random House on January 19, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Door by the Staircase

THE DOOR BY THE STAIRCASE by Katherine Marsh is a fantasy adventure based on the Russian Baba Yaga folktales.

Designed for middle grades, this dark fantasy follows the story of orphan Mary Hayes who is adopted by the mysterious Madame Z. Mary’s new home seems ideal until she begins to realize that her savior may have a dark side.

Librarians will find this fantasy to be popular with children who enjoy folk tales. Teachers wishing to explore traditional folklore at the middle grades may consider this title as part of a literature circle focusing on folklore adaptations.

To learn more about the author, go to http://katherinemarsh.com/.

Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats

MISS HAZELTINE’S HOME FOR SHY AND FEARFUL CATS by Alicia Potter is the charming story of a scaredy-cat who learns to be brave.

When Crumb comes to live with Miss Hazeltine, he’s timid and shy. He listens carefully to lessons about bravery, but it’s not until Miss Hazeltine is in trouble that summons his inner courage.

Readers will enjoy Birgitta Sif’s whimsical illustrations and teachers will welcome Alicia Potter’s easy-to-read narrative that’s perfect for the read-aloud situations.

Librarians will appreciate Miss Hazeltine’s approach to teaching. She models important cat skills, but lets her pupils proceed at their own pace. The themes of bravery, courage, and overcoming shyness will resonate with many children.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.aliciapotterbooks.com/.
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.birgittasif.com/.

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on May 12, 2015.