Children's Books Focus on Cat Adoption

Hey everybody, it's Truffles! To wrap up Adopt a Cat Month we wanted to tell you about a few new children's books that teach kids the importance of responsible pet ownership. Giveaway copies are available for all of them, too!

In Carmella the Cat readers find out how Carmella, a stranded, orange and white tabby kitten, was rescued and adopted into a loving fur-ever home and what it means to be responsible for another living being. In the second book in the series, Carmella the Cat Goes Fishing, kids learn about being a patient pet owner, as Carmella explores her new environment!

Each book is written by Ann Cerino, illustrated by Kathy Kunsman, and retails for $12.95. A 10% portion of the proceeds goes to local animal rescue organizations in the Lehigh Valley, PA area, which is where Ann is from. Additional books in the series will be launched in 2016 and beyond.

The Carmella the Cat series is based on Ann’s cat, the real Carmella. Carmella was found, along with her littermates, in a flooded drainage ditch, and was the only kitten to survive. She was rushed to “The Cat Doctor,” Dr. Ackerman, who helped save her life by treating her until she was healthy and ready to be adopted. When Carmella was well, Dr. Ackerman introduced the tiny kitten to Ann, who had recently put her cat to sleep, and a loving, fur-ever match was made.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with sweet Carmella and ask her a few questions about her life and book series.

Truffles: Welcome, Carmella! Thank you so much for taking a few moments to chat with me. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with your human?

Carmella: I was adopted by my Mom when she was at her vet's office. The Cat Doctor saved my life and when Mom saw me , she fell in love with me immediately. I still needed some care then went home with Mom 2 weeks later.

Your name is very beautiful. Does it have any special meaning?

My name in Italian means "garden". The Cat Doctor wanted a name that was flowery. I am also the color of caramel candy.

Please tell us about your sweet children's books and what inspired you to write them.

Mom wrote the books because she wanted to share my story and it's happy ending.

What do you hope kids learn from them?

We want everyone to know it's important for all animals to have a "Forever" home.

Do you have more books planned?

We have four more books to publish.

After such a rough beginning, what's life like for you today?

My life now is the BEST! I am the Queen of the house! I just celebrated my 9th birthday last week!

Connect with Carmella online on her website, Facebook and Twitter!

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The Perfect Place For Toodles tells a story of a very young cat that experiences abandonment and great loneliness more than once. He thinks he has found a permanent home with a loving family. Life is good for a time, perhaps too good. After a while the cat is left to spend many long hours in a window waiting and watching for his family to return. While there are still some fun moments with his adopted family, Toodles gets the feeling of being left out. Things really take a turn for the worst when an annoying neighbor visits more often and pays a lot more attention to the cat. When the cat is devastated by some shocking news, he makes a serious move to direct his life in a different direction.

The inspiration for Toodles’ story resulted from author Barbara Pierce’s visit to the Jersey Shore, where she found a large commune of stray cats living under the boardwalk. “My eyes were really opened to the plight of some animals,” Pierce said.

I found the ending to be incredibly sad, but unfortunately it's a very realistic look at what happens to so many family pets when kids "don't have time for them anymore". I guess that is the ultimate lesson...don't get a pet if you aren't in a position to be the best pet parent possible for their entire life.

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Giveaway: I have one set of the Carmella books, and 3 copies of Toodles to give away. Leave a comment by noon eastern on Monday, July 6th for your chance to win. Don't forget to leave your email address, and also if you have a book preference! (US entries only, please.)