Is My Cat a Tiger?

May 1, 2007
Gr 3-5-Bidner follows up "Is My Dog a Wolf?" (Sterling, 2006) with its feline equivalent. This book shows how domestic cats compare with their wild cousins. Specifically, it addresses what domestic behavior reveals about wild roots. The author draws important distinctions between wild and feral cats and reveals the unexpected link between cats and hyenas, meerkats, and mongooses, among other surprising relatives. While the layout is sometimes crowded with boxed text, the color photographs are fantastic. Pictures of wild and domestic cats are often presented side by side. The smattering of Web sites provided focus predominantly on the big cats. This is a fascinating volume that cat lovers are sure to enjoy, and revisit, each time their pets do something that seems wild."Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2007
This little book, illustrated with many sharply defined color photos, places house cats' physical characteristics and behavior in the context of the broader cat family. In addition to introducing larger cats, it draws parallels between the sometimes-puzzling activities of domestic cats and those of their wild cousins. Why do cats scratch the furniture? Why do they rub people's legs? Why do they leave "gifts" of dead mice? Clearly written, the information is presented in short, thematic segments. Sections on body language explain such details as the language of ears: twitching usually indicates agitation and flattening means fear, while ears that are both flattened and turned around threaten aggression. Most children will learn something new from this attractive, accessible guide to cats, from the author/illustrator of " Is My Dog a Wolf?" (2006).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)