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Cats Know Best
Cats know how to keep warm or cool, find food, play, keep clean, and take care of their kittens.
32 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2025
Comments preferred to 'like button' drop-offs by far.
Finding “Cats Know Best” is a blessing. Bright, warm images and endearing sentiments draw our hearts in. After finishing and browsing the most cheerful credit page I have ever seen: I learned every face is based on the artist’s kitties! In the credits she doesn’t solely name them all but tells us whom is related to whom; their genealogy! That a cat Mom like me, ensured all her children are represented and recorded in a published book does my soul good! The contents and messages are the simplest kind. Story snapshots that are brief but resonate as immensely special and so dear.
The basic vocabulary is of course composed for children but all of us would savour the joy brimming inside each of these pages. Lesley Anne Ivory & Colin Eisler name, as we behold each happy and loving scene: something a cat knows, likes, or is best at. Natural, commonsense statements about milk and the most comfortable place to sit or sleep, about caring for their infants.... these are all real traits and values of life, to which we can all relate.
Lesley’s gorgeous assortment of family kitties and the rooms she invites us into too, are art at its loveliest. The detail astounds me: for instance, the multicoloured mat of the title page. These are drawings that resemble real photographs and every place or scene she shows us is inspiring. Every inch is impressively illustrated in a way that lulls you inside each room, or lush weather tableau of these homes. The cats and kittens, even their portraits and ornaments and kitchen sundries in the background; are lifelike, calming, soothing, and mood-raising. This is an exquisite and emotionally uplifting piece of work to give our loved ones of any age, or to re-read ourselves with the utmost pleasure.
Finding “Cats Know Best” is a blessing. Bright, warm images and endearing sentiments draw our hearts in. After finishing and browsing the most cheerful credit page I have ever seen: I learned every face is based on the artist’s kitties! In the credits she doesn’t solely name them all but tells us whom is related to whom; their genealogy! That a cat Mom like me, ensured all her children are represented and recorded in a published book does my soul good! The contents and messages are the simplest kind. Story snapshots that are brief but resonate as immensely special and so dear.
The basic vocabulary is of course composed for children but all of us would savour the joy brimming inside each of these pages. Lesley Anne Ivory & Colin Eisler name, as we behold each happy and loving scene: something a cat knows, likes, or is best at. Natural, commonsense statements about milk and the most comfortable place to sit or sleep, about caring for their infants.... these are all real traits and values of life, to which we can all relate.
Lesley’s gorgeous assortment of family kitties and the rooms she invites us into too, are art at its loveliest. The detail astounds me: for instance, the multicoloured mat of the title page. These are drawings that resemble real photographs and every place or scene she shows us is inspiring. Every inch is impressively illustrated in a way that lulls you inside each room, or lush weather tableau of these homes. The cats and kittens, even their portraits and ornaments and kitchen sundries in the background; are lifelike, calming, soothing, and mood-raising. This is an exquisite and emotionally uplifting piece of work to give our loved ones of any age, or to re-read ourselves with the utmost pleasure.
August 14, 2013
Although it surely qualifies as a great picture book for children,
Cats Know Best
is also a sensational collection for cat lovers and artists, alike. With over a dozen exquisite full-color paintings by Lesley Anne Ivory, it offers an excellent opportunity to learn by example, with its wonderful study of movement, light, and texture. The ultra-realistic and compelling eyes, beautiful fur, and natural poses serve as an informal "instruction manual." You couldn't hope to learn from a better teacher. Ms. Ivory really knows her subject.
December 23, 2014
This was probably my second book I ever read as a child. I've always loved animals a lot so the fact that this was a book about cats, I was easily lured into begging my parents for a copy to sit and look at. It's a typical picture book, the main source of allure being in the beautifully illustrated picture that contain an amazing amount of detail for both adults and children of all ages. Even as an adult now, both my mom and I enjoy looking at the pictures again.
October 22, 2017
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. I never can resist a book about cats, but this one is particularly beautiful. The writing is not 5he best, but good enough that I will enjoy reading it to kids.
September 20, 2013
This is a great book for students who like animals, pets, or cats. They even learn a little about cats too.
December 2, 2023
This book is"An eye-catcher". (Booklist)
The story is very simple and easy to understand. It tells what "cats know best", and cat-owners who read this book know instantly that the author must have had a cat. For example, "where to stay warm or keep cool". They know so many things that we never stop to think about; where fat mice are, and where the best milk is. The best things that cats know best is how "to pretend not to know, or to care, but they do". Most cats act that way most of the time.
The illustrations were superb....Lesley Anne Ivory draws cat that seem real...like their eyes are really looking into yours. It's mesmerizing. It's also wonderful that she has introduced the reader to all sorts of kinds of cats...diversity of the breed. They are all different colors, doing all kinds of "cat like" things. Mama cat is there attending to what she knows is best for them.
The story is very simple and easy to understand. It tells what "cats know best", and cat-owners who read this book know instantly that the author must have had a cat. For example, "where to stay warm or keep cool". They know so many things that we never stop to think about; where fat mice are, and where the best milk is. The best things that cats know best is how "to pretend not to know, or to care, but they do". Most cats act that way most of the time.
The illustrations were superb....Lesley Anne Ivory draws cat that seem real...like their eyes are really looking into yours. It's mesmerizing. It's also wonderful that she has introduced the reader to all sorts of kinds of cats...diversity of the breed. They are all different colors, doing all kinds of "cat like" things. Mama cat is there attending to what she knows is best for them.
May 12, 2013
This is the ultimate cat lovers delight! It has such pretty illustrations and such a cute little story. Where is the best place to keep warm on a wintery night? Cats know best - curled up close by the fire place! Good for any season, as long as you love cats!
June 24, 2021
Beautiful illustrated book of cats. If you love cats this book is for you. You'll love it. The book basically goes over what cats do and they do what they do because "cats know best". I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
August 6, 2022
Simple prose. Gorgeous illustrations.
March 21, 2025
This is a sweet book about cats! It features the art of Leslie Anne Ivory, which is better than the rest of her art! It has simple words filled with the love of cats! Good for all ages!
April 21, 2013
Young kids could easily read this book. It was not a book I would recommend though!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews