Ferndale Library Staff Recommends: Jillean’s Cat-Themed Picks

This week’s cat-themed picks come from Ferndale Public Library Youth Services Librarian Jillean McCommons.

From cat photo bombs to Grumpy Cat, I’m surrounded by images of my favorite animal whenever I’m online. While it’s not true that all librarians like them, I confess to being a cat lady at heart. Here are my favorite picture books about our feline friends.

Jillean’s Picks
 
How to Be a Cat
By Nikki McClure
JE MCC
 
I am a big fan of Nikki McClure. I look forward to purchasing her calendar each year and it’s always a pleasure to add her award-winning books to our collection. Her books spend very little time on the shelf so I suspect I’m not the only one who appreciates her work. “Armed with an X-acto knife, she cuts out her images from a single sheet of paper and creates a bold language that translates the complex poetry of motherhood, nature, and activism into a simple and endearing picture.” This book features one of my favorite words: pounce!
 
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
By Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean
JE LIT
 
This story in rhyme has become a storytime favorite. Pete is a mellow kind of fellow. He doesn’t let too much bring him down. So when he steps in various piles of food while wearing his beloved white shoes, it doesn’t spoil his day. He just keeps “walking along singing his song ... because it’s all good.” I want to hang out with Pete the Cat. Check out this live telling of the book with the author.
 
Millions of Cats
By Wanda Gág
JE GAG
 
I love the illustrations, rhyming and language in this classic picture book originally published in 1928. It’s definitely a warm and fuzzy tale but not without a few twists that might be troubling for parents of younger children. You see, the millions, billions and trillions of cats, in the their quest to be the prettiest so that they can stay with the Very Old Man and the Very Old Woman, eat each other up! Never fear, one little kitten remains and soon finds a home with the very old couple.
 
Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story and Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story
By Sam Lloyd
JE LLO
 
Mr. Pusskins cracks me up. He is the original grumpy cat. He doesn’t like games or having his fur combed and he definitely doesn’t like snuggling. He complains, he frowns and he is generally an unhappy little dude until he finds out what life is like without the love of Emily, his owner. Mr. Pusskins eventually realizes how great it is to be loved. In the sequel, Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story, all is well until Emily brings home another kitten. Needless to say, Mr. Pusskins is not having it!
 
Edna’s Tale
By Lisze Bechtold
JE BEC
 
This is my go-to book for a quick and funny story to read to kindergarteners. Edna is one vain cat. She thinks she has the most beautiful tail in the neighborhood. So, when she is invited to a party to meet a handsome new cat, she gets her tail nice and fluffy for the occasion. But on her way to the party, she starts to get the feeling that something is chasing her. What can it be and why does it look so familiar? I laugh out loud whenever I read this book.

Get ready to "Dig In!"

Make sure to check online for information regarding our Big Summer Reading Kick-Off on June 15. We’ve got a wide range of fun, engaging and educational programs and special events scheduled throughout the season for our readers, as we encourage you to “Dig In!”