The Cat Encyclopedia for Kids

February 12, 2018
Cat lovers will be engrossed by this brightly photographed resource for identifying, learning about, and selecting breeds, a companion to The Dog Encyclopedia for Kids. Mattern introduces 12 popular feline varieties (and includes additional breeds in a closing section); among them are Birman, Maine coon, Manx, Persian, Siamese, and sphinx cats. The photographs feature multiple cats, providing a reasonably broad understanding of variations within a breed, and Mattern engagingly describes the origins of the breeds (along with a few legends), their traits (such as markings, facial features, and typical personality), and an overview of care requirements before concluding with thoughts on whether each type of cat might be a good fit for a household. While Mattern often encourages readers to adopt their cats, she also acknowledges that breeders are a more likely source for purebreds. Ages 9–12.

March 1, 2018

Gr 4-7-Several years ago, the "All About Cats" series came out with individual titles on various feline breeds, such as Maine Coon Cats. All 12 volumes are presented here, with some of the same photographs and content. Updates include the breeds' popularity, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association. The compilation is somewhat useful. For example, a back section briefly covers 30 additional breeds (with images). However, other aspects don't translate well. To make everything fit, the text is confined to one margin, with white space on the bottom and the side. Readers might be discouraged by the text's dense appearance. The bold font, to indicate words defined in the glossary, is used inconsistently. Sometimes potentially unfamiliar words are in bold; other times, they are explained within the text. VERDICT Not a major upgrade from the "All About Cats" series but helpful for those looking to save shelf space and where readers want more current numbers on breed standings.-Elissa Cooper, Helen Plum Memorial Library, Lombard, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.