Planet Cat: A Cat-alog

by Sandra Choron, Harry Choron, Arden Moore

A lively, illustrated treasury of more than four hundred lists covering all things cat includes information on the origins of the species, cat breeds, cat care and training, and behavior, as well as such topics as celebrity cat people, cat food recipes, gifts for the pampered cat, and famous cats in history, art, and literature. Original.

Genres: Cats, Animals, Nonfiction, Humor, Reference

416 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

SANDRA CHORON graduated from Lehman College in 1971 and then worked as an editor at Hawthorn Books for eight years and then Dell Publishing for two years, where she was senior editor of trade paperbacks, before founding her own literary agency/book packaging firm, March Tenth, Inc., in 1980. Specializing in books on popular culture and rock music eventually led to a position as art director for Bruce Springsteen, whose record albums and merchandise she designed from 1985 until 2003. Sandra Choron has served as a member of the board of directors of the American Book Producers Association and is the author of a number of books, including Rocktopicon, coauthored with Dave Marsh in 1984; National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982); Elvis: The Last Word (1991); The Book of Lists for Kids (with Harry Choron, 1985, 1995, 2002); The Book of Lists for Teens (with Harry Choron, 2002); 1,001 Tips for Caregivers (with Sasha Carr, 2002); Planet Dog (with Harry Choron, 2005) and Planet Cat (with Harry Choron, 2007), both of which were optioned for TV treatment by Animal Planet, as well as Planet Wedding (with Harry Choron, 2010). She is a founding editor of the music and politics monthly newsletter Rock & Rap Confidential. She has been a guest speaker at various publishing conferences and has taught Book Publishing on the college level at Lehman College in New York.

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book as a lighthearted antidote to the other non-fiction title I was working on. When I got too sad reading News Of The Earth, I would switch over to Planet Cat and feel a little better, so it certainly served its purpose.

The book was interesting and entertaining, even though I did eventually get tired of the list format. But there was really no other way to present the information, I'm sure. There are sections such as The Culture Of Cats (cat haikus, cats in books and art, cats in ancient culture, all kinds of folk lore about cats); Top Cats (lists and more lists of war cats, fat cats, Hemingway's cats, Hollywood cats). Cat Anatomy and Behaviour was the third section, with the last (and longest) called Tender Loving Care And Training. I admit I just skimmed through that part. I have had plenty of great cats in the past, but I don't share my space with any right now and didn't feel the need to read 155 pages or so of advice for cat owners. Although what I did notice in my skimming made sense so would be helpful to anyone, especially new owners.

There were fun pages tucked throughout the book which made me giggle, such as 17 New Year's Resolutions For Cats (#2 I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my humans watch a horror movie) and 18 Politically Correct Explanations Of Cat Behavior (#9 The cat is not a bed hog: he is a mattress appreciator).

And of course there were lists of books about cats, some that I own, have read, or heard about, and a couple that I just had to order, because....well, why not?!

I found my copy of Planet Cat at the library sale shelves, so I guess it could be called a newly adopted stray cat book? And a keeper!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuffed full of more cat related trivia than I dreamed possible, the purrfect book to pick up and put down and read at random, each page a font of knowledge about a different aspect of our feline friends, be it literary, artistic, historical, current, biological, and more.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another on-going project. Lots of info, so gets old to read it continuously. This was a borrowed copy, but I broke down and bought it, so I could take my time and revisit at will. Finally finished on June 12, 2009. A definite keeper; it has anecdotes, cat lore, movies, books, advice for cat care, cat websites, and so much more.

[Lindy Loo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not always a fan of coffee-table books, but this one rocks. The subject matter is all over the place, from notorious historical cat haters to cat haikus to the physiology of cats to famous cat-names. If you're a cat owner, it'll definitely make you laugh (esp the haikus). And it's one of those books you can pick up every once in a while, flip to a page, and just read for fun.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It has a ton of facts, statistics, and stories about cats. This is a great little gift for any cat lover. It's one of those books that you can randomly pick a page and learn something interesting about our wonderful felines.

Definitely a must own for any cat lover... and it makes a great gift.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun book to read. It has all sorts of fun facts, cool historical tales, and even debunks a few wives' tales. I love the format it's written in. This is a great book for cat enthusiasts, children who love to ask questions about cats, and people who are considering getting a cat.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of interesting stuff about cats in this one. It is on our coffee table and I frequently flip through it and find new things.!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not reading this book but my boys are and they love it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I loved it. Lots of interesting facts.

[K8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amusing. Definitely not something I would read much of at a time, but in bits and pieces it is fun.

[Stella Pankey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! It's got so much information on cats. Would make a nice gift for cat lovers.

[Mr Puddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my Kitty Bible !!!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Loved the cat facts, history and jokes along the way. Definitely recommend it to my fellow crazy cat ladies and men.

[Amy Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a kid I read Planet Dog, so I was excited to read the huge tome of Planet Cat as well! This book covers every possible, tiny, obscure tangent of cat related knowledge you could ever want! From cats on stamps and advertising to cat movies, famous cat lovers, toilet training your cat, reading body language and questions to ask yourself to know whether it's time to say the final goodbye.

It's certainly extensively researched and intriguing but I found many of the lists or oddball topics weren't super interesting. Or I already knew pretty much all the stuff in the care sections since I've had cats my entire life. But it would be the perfect book to get a new cat parent or cat obsessed person.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with information about cats at all stages of their lives. It combines medicine, culture, and random facts about all aspects of owning a cat, or enjoying one! Recommended for all cat owners and for all interested in cats!

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brookie gave me this book for Christmas. She chose it herself and I told her I would read a bit of it every day.

[Deborah]

'Nuff said

[Suzie]

All about any trivia related to cats. Fun.