The team behind Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea (2002) has returned to the briny with this rhymed lesson in cooperation. Sneaky addition exercises pepper the text: "Fifteen cats me-yowl with woe-/ Nine above and six below." Lapsit listeners can count the nine in the trees and the six on the beach. The story starts on the cover, and cat fans will beg to start again each time the book is closed. .© Kirkus 2006

This rhyming tale of a briny bevy of 15 felines washed ashore on a deserted island is nimbly told and depicted. Seven kittens and eight full-grown cats, each with a distinct personality (the bobtail wears a kerchief; the Angora a pink shawl, etc.), drink coconut milk, use broken shells for dishes, and watch for a ship to rescue them. With no boat in sight, they decide to build their own--but their efforts deteriorate into disputes. Bruised and sore, they take stock of their situation and decide to stay--because they have become a family. With a dash of Gilligan's Island and pinch of Survivor minus a million dollars, of course), this is a cat-egorically clever yarn, with humorous details in the acrylics-and-ink scenes and puns in the text adding even more fun. A feline frolic sure to amuse cat fanciers. ©  Book List Julie Cummins © American Library Association.  
 

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Male Calicos Do Exist!

 Did you know that most calico cats are female? It's true. Mittens is a rare breed indeed!

Well, even though male calicos are rare, here are two links to prove that they truly exist. Milo and Pippin are adorable male calico cats. Our male calico, Mittens, is in good company.

http://www.apetsblog.com/petsandfriends/milo-calico-kitten-picture.htm

 

http://cats.about.com/od/catspicturecalendar/ig/Calico-Cats-Gallery/CalicoPippin.htm