CatDreams

by B. Kliban (Illustrator)

Presents Kliban's distinctive feline in paintings from a series of calendars for the years 1977 through 1986 and other sources

Genres: Cats, Art, Graphic Novels, Comics

95 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

Bernard "Hap" Kliban was a popular American cartoonist. He became an instant cartoon sensation after the publication of his groundbreaking book Cat in 1975. Some forty years after their initial appearance, Kliban’s quirky, colorful cat illustrations are adored icons and cherished friends of fans worldwide. One of the top cartoonists of the 20th century, Kliban contributed work to national magazines for over 30 years.

Reviews

[Maria Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful cartoons that were very fun to look at. Kliman was an immensely talented man! This is a collection from a series of calendars he made in the 1970s and 1980s. It's mentioned in the prologue that he "hated" making the calendars, because he wanted to be known for his more serious art, but torn because the Cat cartoons were very popular and he loved cats. It was interesting going through the book (before reading the prologue) then going through it again after reading how he didn't enjoy making the cartoons. Also, there's a cartoon included that he threw in the trash which his wife rescued, and eventually had it restored. Very interesting book, and lovely paintings!

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a grad student and T.A. in the ‘70s, I had on the wall of my office Kliban’s “Love to eat them mousies” poster, which frequently caused passersby to stop in for a closer look. Some laughed while others just shook their heads -- which is pretty much how people have always reacted to what I regard as one of the slyest, most consistently funny cartoon artists around. While he did a lot of terrific non-cat drawings, it’s for those chunky, funky cats that he’s best known, and this collection should please his many fans. They’re all here, too: Cats in red basketball shoes and cowboy boots, cats walking their dogs, cats pursuing mice on cross-country skis, cats feeding wieners to the birds in the park, sumo cats, cats enjoying sushi, disorganized cats competing with mice in outrigger canoes, cats playing Dixieland, cats trying on fashionable tail covers in a cat clothing store, cats painting murals, cats lounging around the campfire, and (of course) cats playing mousie-eating folk songs on the guitar. To put it simply, this is great stuff from a very talented man who died much before his time.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not so much humor, just weird, wonderful colorful pictures of cats.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art for me is not inspiring but cute, like something that would be on a calendar.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations. Any cat lover will enjoy this book.