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Pounce
Photographer Seth Casteel's underwater photographs of dogs and babies have captivated an international audience. Now, Seth has found the perfect way to capture our other best cats!
A beautiful, funny gift book with more than 70 previously unpublished photographs, Pounce reveals adorable cats and kittens as they pounce and jump through the air, arms outstretched -- all in Casteel's signature up-close, mid-action style.
A beautiful, funny gift book with more than 70 previously unpublished photographs, Pounce reveals adorable cats and kittens as they pounce and jump through the air, arms outstretched -- all in Casteel's signature up-close, mid-action style.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2016
4 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Seth Casteel
15 books28 followersSeth Casteel is an award-winning photographer and the New York Times Best Selling Author of Underwater Dogs. His forthcoming book, Underwater Puppies, will be published September 16, 2014.
In 2007, Seth began volunteering to photograph homeless pets to help them find loving families. These improved, positive photos showcased unique personalities, resulting in countless adoptions.
Since then, Seth has developed a career as a Lifestyle Pet Photographer, accepting commissions and commercial assignments, collaborating with dozens of publishers and exhibiting his artwork in galleries around the world. His work has been published in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times and in hundreds of other magazines, newspapers and calendars. You may have also seen him on Good Morning America, EXTRA, Jeopardy!, The Insider and Inside Edition. He has traveled the world in pursuit of his passion, working with animals on five continents. Seth's non-profit campaign, One Picture Saves a Life, inspires, empowers and educates animal ambassadors around the world to improve the image of rescue and adoption through positive photography.
Seth lives in Venice Beach, CA. He loves 80's music and is a fan of the DeLorean automobile. He plans to one day go back in time, and change nothing. His rescue dog, Baby Nala, has accepted the fact that she will be photographed every single day. People often say that Seth and Nala have similar hairstyles.
In 2007, Seth began volunteering to photograph homeless pets to help them find loving families. These improved, positive photos showcased unique personalities, resulting in countless adoptions.
Since then, Seth has developed a career as a Lifestyle Pet Photographer, accepting commissions and commercial assignments, collaborating with dozens of publishers and exhibiting his artwork in galleries around the world. His work has been published in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times and in hundreds of other magazines, newspapers and calendars. You may have also seen him on Good Morning America, EXTRA, Jeopardy!, The Insider and Inside Edition. He has traveled the world in pursuit of his passion, working with animals on five continents. Seth's non-profit campaign, One Picture Saves a Life, inspires, empowers and educates animal ambassadors around the world to improve the image of rescue and adoption through positive photography.
Seth lives in Venice Beach, CA. He loves 80's music and is a fan of the DeLorean automobile. He plans to one day go back in time, and change nothing. His rescue dog, Baby Nala, has accepted the fact that she will be photographed every single day. People often say that Seth and Nala have similar hairstyles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 13, 2018
this is the time of year i float reviews of fun books that would make nice presents. not for me, i already have them. i’m just being a kindly readers’ advisory holiday angel.
THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT CATS WHO ARE POUNCING!
it's also a book by the guy who gave us such gifts as Underwater Dogs, Underwater Puppies, and Underwater Babies. so, why did he abandon the theme this time?
here's why:
For a while now I've been excited to make a photography book about cats. But to answer the question I am asked most often: after an extensive worldwide search for "cats who willingly dive into swimming pools," I found approximately zero participants. So unless something radically changes with the behavior of cats around water, Underwater Cats is permanently on hold.
so instead, there is pouncing.
i mean, sometimes.
sometimes there isn't even that. some of these cats are just chilling out, looking like they might want to pounce, but they're not gonna do it just for you, seth casteel.
he addresses the difficulty of not only finding cats who will jump into water, but cats who will be photographed at all:
cats are mercurial.
in any event, the photography is excellent, and much better in the actual book than after the process of me slapping them up on here
some of them have such amazing composition, you have to marvel at how they could even have been taken without any of that photoshop cheatery
and then there are some cats that are just…. weird.
what are those cats even doing?
whatever the heck they wanna do, because they are cats and they do as they please.
whether they wanna come straight for ya
or yell
or show off their toe-beans
and their tiny little teeth
or look very very sad
or swat
or even - yes -pounce
all of the cats photographed here were available for adoption through animal shelters or rescue groups, but now that the book is out, they've probably all been snatched up. which makes this book a hero, even though its title is a little bit of a fib.
come to my blog!
THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT CATS WHO ARE POUNCING!
it's also a book by the guy who gave us such gifts as Underwater Dogs, Underwater Puppies, and Underwater Babies. so, why did he abandon the theme this time?
here's why:
For a while now I've been excited to make a photography book about cats. But to answer the question I am asked most often: after an extensive worldwide search for "cats who willingly dive into swimming pools," I found approximately zero participants. So unless something radically changes with the behavior of cats around water, Underwater Cats is permanently on hold.
so instead, there is pouncing.
i mean, sometimes.
sometimes there isn't even that. some of these cats are just chilling out, looking like they might want to pounce, but they're not gonna do it just for you, seth casteel.
he addresses the difficulty of not only finding cats who will jump into water, but cats who will be photographed at all:
cats are mercurial.
in any event, the photography is excellent, and much better in the actual book than after the process of me slapping them up on here
some of them have such amazing composition, you have to marvel at how they could even have been taken without any of that photoshop cheatery
and then there are some cats that are just…. weird.
what are those cats even doing?
whatever the heck they wanna do, because they are cats and they do as they please.
whether they wanna come straight for ya
or yell
or show off their toe-beans
and their tiny little teeth
or look very very sad
or swat
or even - yes -pounce
all of the cats photographed here were available for adoption through animal shelters or rescue groups, but now that the book is out, they've probably all been snatched up. which makes this book a hero, even though its title is a little bit of a fib.
come to my blog!
January 16, 2020
If your heart melts at the sight of a cute kitten, you’ll love this collection of photos of kittens in all stages of pounce. From contemplation to mid-leap to the satisfaction of the score, Casteel captures cats in their prime. Fantastic, captivating photography leaves you appreciating Casteel’s talents in capturing felines in flight.
December 9, 2019
This is a pretty one-note book. The best of it is in the reviews that show photos from it, but there's a whole lot of repetition in the book itself and it quickly turns into "okay, another kitten jumping" (and I like kittens jumping). The author's first books were of dogs underwater and they're pretty hilarious, but he rightly pointed out that no cat was about to jump into a swimming pool for him. As a result, he took a bunch of pictures of kittens as they were jumping. Some are funny, but an awful lot of them are of things like the same orange kitten jumping in the grass from slightly different angles. Cute, and it will do the job for what I got it for (as an inexpensive gift book for my cat-loving youngest daughter), but I wouldn't pay full price for this one or get it for a gift for anyone who's not a really die-hard kitten lover or a young child.
April 12, 2018
Kitties! This is just so much fun - and some of the names were just the best!
March 16, 2020
I had to go back to the library today to pick up a hold, but it wasn't on the shelf. They were crazy busy since tomorrow they close for an indefinite period, and everyone wanted a stack of something. So, while waiting for assistance I went upstairs to grab a Cabot book which for some reason I failed to do yesterday. Then I was just wandering around when I found myself by the nonfiction. What I needed was soothing and fabulous pet photography.
I am so grateful that they gave everyone a couple of days to stock up before the library, the schools, and, I am sure, more shut down for the duration or until they can find a safe way to carry on. The risk increases daily, but it shows how incredibly dedicated to their community they are.
Librarians are the best.
Library copy
I am so grateful that they gave everyone a couple of days to stock up before the library, the schools, and, I am sure, more shut down for the duration or until they can find a safe way to carry on. The risk increases daily, but it shows how incredibly dedicated to their community they are.
Librarians are the best.
Library copy
October 14, 2016
This is the cutest...so...ittle bittle kitten pawses wawses, tiny kitten bellies, little kitten legs.
KITTENS!
Kittens in the air. Kittens coming right at you. Little kitten pretzels...
Seth Casteel is doing the work of the Universe right here. (Or he has that parasite from our Cat Overlords, which is fine too. Completely fine. In fact, I'm sure that's not true and even if it were, it would be fine. Meow.)
KITTENS!
Kittens in the air. Kittens coming right at you. Little kitten pretzels...
Seth Casteel is doing the work of the Universe right here. (Or he has that parasite from our Cat Overlords, which is fine too. Completely fine. In fact, I'm sure that's not true and even if it were, it would be fine. Meow.)
July 23, 2019
Wonderful photos of cats in action, catching stunning displays of their agility and athleticism.
The best part is that all the kittens were homeless at the time they were posing, and were subsequently adopted, every one!
The photographer devotes his efforts to helping shelters/rescues of both dogs and cats.
The best part is that all the kittens were homeless at the time they were posing, and were subsequently adopted, every one!
The photographer devotes his efforts to helping shelters/rescues of both dogs and cats.
March 7, 2023
Wowie!! I am fascinated by the names given to the fanciful kittens in this book! Some of them look actually terrifying. Others were cute as buttons.
March 7, 2023
Found this in the backseat of my managers car, was bored and needed a light read. Would read again.
December 20, 2016
I want to give this book a million stars!!! So freaking cute! I was giggling the whole time I looked at these pictures. And the 2nd time and the 3rd time! All these little furry babies pouncing, jumping, swiping and frozen in tiny kitty mews!!! This book will brighten even the most curmudgeonly person's day!!! Read the intro, as it gives you some insight into the author's intent (not just to take cutesy pictures) and the process of creating this beautiful book!
February 9, 2018
This book has absolutely no information about how to care for your kittens, about them tearing up your furniture or your arm for that matter.
AND I LOVED IT! It's obviously just for fun...it's a book full of pictures of kittens, for the most part in the air. I envy the author, Seth Casteel, for being able to take photographs of jumping/flying kittens. I can only hope I'll learn how to get cute pictures so clear.
For any cat lover, this would be a good gift; really good if a kitten is likely to make its way into your family soon to get children excited. Excellent pictures and just puts a smile on your face.
(My dad loved it, too! He's 68.)
CAUTION: You may want more cats, especially kittens, after viewing this book.
AND I LOVED IT! It's obviously just for fun...it's a book full of pictures of kittens, for the most part in the air. I envy the author, Seth Casteel, for being able to take photographs of jumping/flying kittens. I can only hope I'll learn how to get cute pictures so clear.
For any cat lover, this would be a good gift; really good if a kitten is likely to make its way into your family soon to get children excited. Excellent pictures and just puts a smile on your face.
(My dad loved it, too! He's 68.)
CAUTION: You may want more cats, especially kittens, after viewing this book.
April 16, 2017
Super cute. Rescue kittens!!
February 4, 2018
It's just pictures of adorable kitties pouncing! What's not to love??
March 10, 2017
I don't understand why the library bought this book but refused to buy Adrienne Rich's collected poems.
Honestly, though... 1. normalizes outdoor cats (kittens, actually), 2. repetitive, 3. who cares for 100 photos of kittens midpounce?
Honestly, though... 1. normalizes outdoor cats (kittens, actually), 2. repetitive, 3. who cares for 100 photos of kittens midpounce?
October 19, 2016
Ok... I'm giving this one 100 Million Stars for Cuteness.
When Underwater Dogs came out, followed shortly by Underwater Puppies, I wondered to myself, "What about Underwater CATS?". Then I caught myself. One simply does not create a book titled Underwater Cats. The logistics, the practicality, the feasibility... It's absolutely and 100% inconceivable. Not to mention horrible. I mean, only a complete jerk would submerge a poor little kitty cat in water and then take its picture. The cruelty of dunking the cat (the act itself) combined with the poor cat's loss of pride (like 1,000 cones of shame + getting its claws clipped)... Like I said: Horrible. Just horrible. Said photograpger would deserve every single bite and scratch they received. And I would hope every single injury would get infected, resulting in the photographer getting turned into a zombie (not sure how that last bit would work, just that it would).
Still, a part of me kept insisting that just wasn't fair to cat lovers. Sure, the dogs and puppies are cute and funny, but it's just not the same.
So imagine my joy when I saw Pounce on one of the New Book Displays while on my way to my desk! A book by the Underwater Dogs author featuring all kittens. Kittens that are, fortunately, NOT underwater, but airborn. Pouncing, bouncing, flying, meowing kittens. Kittens and kittens and kittens!!! All fluffy and big shiny, sparkly eyes. Kittens! Squee!
I won't post any teaser pictures. I'll leave that to other reviewers (I KNOW they'll do it). I'll just say this: The 10 minutes (or so) it took to page through this fun book completely transformed my Slump-Hump Day.
Another 10 Million-Bazillion Stars for the Mid-Week Happiness :)
When Underwater Dogs came out, followed shortly by Underwater Puppies, I wondered to myself, "What about Underwater CATS?". Then I caught myself. One simply does not create a book titled Underwater Cats. The logistics, the practicality, the feasibility... It's absolutely and 100% inconceivable. Not to mention horrible. I mean, only a complete jerk would submerge a poor little kitty cat in water and then take its picture. The cruelty of dunking the cat (the act itself) combined with the poor cat's loss of pride (like 1,000 cones of shame + getting its claws clipped)... Like I said: Horrible. Just horrible. Said photograpger would deserve every single bite and scratch they received. And I would hope every single injury would get infected, resulting in the photographer getting turned into a zombie (not sure how that last bit would work, just that it would).
Still, a part of me kept insisting that just wasn't fair to cat lovers. Sure, the dogs and puppies are cute and funny, but it's just not the same.
So imagine my joy when I saw Pounce on one of the New Book Displays while on my way to my desk! A book by the Underwater Dogs author featuring all kittens. Kittens that are, fortunately, NOT underwater, but airborn. Pouncing, bouncing, flying, meowing kittens. Kittens and kittens and kittens!!! All fluffy and big shiny, sparkly eyes. Kittens! Squee!
I won't post any teaser pictures. I'll leave that to other reviewers (I KNOW they'll do it). I'll just say this: The 10 minutes (or so) it took to page through this fun book completely transformed my Slump-Hump Day.
Another 10 Million-Bazillion Stars for the Mid-Week Happiness :)
February 15, 2017
When the need to look at ridiculous action shots of bitty kittens strikes, you won't do better than this.
December 14, 2016
Idk why my review didn't post here!!! I guess I made it an update and not the real review. Well here it is:
This book is delightful!!! It's as adorable if not more adorable than the underwater dog books. The expressions on the kittens faces are priceless. I mean really, what's better than an spunky cuddly ferocious ball of fluff. Fabulous I tell you! Fabulous!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another hit!
This book is delightful!!! It's as adorable if not more adorable than the underwater dog books. The expressions on the kittens faces are priceless. I mean really, what's better than an spunky cuddly ferocious ball of fluff. Fabulous I tell you! Fabulous!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another hit!
October 20, 2016
Cats are amazing. A fun book to flip through for a few minutes.
December 12, 2016
EVERYTHING IS JUST SO ADORABLE OKAY. REVIEW TO COME.
December 27, 2016
This little gem had me grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. Precious, precious photos and some very cute and creative names. Bieber, for one. Love it. So. Much.
January 5, 2017
It doesn't get much better than this.
January 29, 2017
Because sometimes you just need to look at kittens!
March 24, 2025
Who could dislike this book? Just the cover is enough to make you smile, it did for me. Lots of large, full color pictures of kittens, some really young, pouncing. I'm not even a cat person but I was charmed and delighted to go through the book and note the pictures and the names of the kittens.
Great item to borrow from the library and go through a few times before returning it. If you are a cat person I'd say you have to buy this book. And take your cat's own pounce pictures.
When in search to see if he'd done other books and found out he did about three taken of dogs and puppies underwater, an unusual endeavor but certainly entertaining. He also does one called Underwater Babies. I ordered it from my library. I know I'm going to love it. The cuteness factor will be through the roof and I'm sure it will leave a smile on my face.
Great item to borrow from the library and go through a few times before returning it. If you are a cat person I'd say you have to buy this book. And take your cat's own pounce pictures.
When in search to see if he'd done other books and found out he did about three taken of dogs and puppies underwater, an unusual endeavor but certainly entertaining. He also does one called Underwater Babies. I ordered it from my library. I know I'm going to love it. The cuteness factor will be through the roof and I'm sure it will leave a smile on my face.
July 14, 2022
A collection of photographs of kittens, primarily in mid-jump (with a few presumably non-cooperative felines in sitting/laying mode). There is no text other than the cats' names beside their photos.
These are very cute, and Casteel deserves props for the creative positioning of the camera he must have used to get some of these shots. Also, I can't imagine how many hours he had to spend photographing cats to get such an extensive collection of great action shots. I loved some of the kittens' creative names, like Edward Scissorpaws. A cute cat photography collection that is a super quick read even with its many pages. Hand this to a cat lover of any age.
These are very cute, and Casteel deserves props for the creative positioning of the camera he must have used to get some of these shots. Also, I can't imagine how many hours he had to spend photographing cats to get such an extensive collection of great action shots. I loved some of the kittens' creative names, like Edward Scissorpaws. A cute cat photography collection that is a super quick read even with its many pages. Hand this to a cat lover of any age.
May 27, 2024
Another excellent book I read today. The pictures of the kittens are absolutely adorable. I haven't seen any like it before...and including their names was a nice touch. The author is definitely an animal lover and has books out on dogs, but decided to do one on cats, too. He was working at a Los Angeles movie studio and decided to photograph the stray cats that people at the studio were taking care. The pictures are priceless. For all cat lovers out there and even you're not, you will be after going through this book.
November 21, 2016
My View:
Once you see this cuteness you cannot un-see it!
This is the prefect book for all cat lovers. When you look at these playful, sometimes intense, cute pictures you cannot help but be charmed and smile and smile. I know a special someone who would love this book – for a birthday, for Christmas – for any time actually!
Once you see this cuteness you cannot un-see it!
This is the prefect book for all cat lovers. When you look at these playful, sometimes intense, cute pictures you cannot help but be charmed and smile and smile. I know a special someone who would love this book – for a birthday, for Christmas – for any time actually!
January 2, 2017
Squee! Fluffy kittens! Some of the faces the kittens are making are a little creepy, but mostly this book is packed with a whole lot of cuteness. I have to disagree with the author/photographer, though--kittens are not the cutest creatures on the planet. Koala joeys are.
October 25, 2019
Delightful
Every one of the small kittens in this book is just too cute to stand. The caught in the moment action shots are delightful. If you love kittens ... and who doesn't ..., you should add this book to your collection.
Every one of the small kittens in this book is just too cute to stand. The caught in the moment action shots are delightful. If you love kittens ... and who doesn't ..., you should add this book to your collection.
October 11, 2021
Cute photographs of kittens pouncing. As the author/photographer says in the introduction: "And the pictures looked great! But let's be honest: I think it's impossible to take a bad picture of a kitten. Kittens are the cutest creatures on the planet!"
December 31, 2016
This book was so cute. I could have looked at it for hours. The photographs really capture the kittens.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews