Concerning animals: Pick these off the bookshelf
Sunday, April 10, 2005
BY JOAN LOWELL SMITH
For the Star-Ledger
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, we like to tout books by New Jersey authors that are truly exceptional. It just happens that offerings from two homegrown writers meet that criteria.
All in the message
Writing books directed at little ones presents a challenge -- to strike a balance between subtle and preachy. Wendy Wyatt, who lives in Mountain Lakes, has achieved that balance with a unique approach. A social worker in the Bernards Township school system, Wyatt's motivation for "Please Don't Hurt Abby the Labby!" (AbbyLabPress, $18.95) was to head off potential problems when kids interact with dogs.
Aiming for the 4- to 8-year-old set, Wyatt offers simple strategies to guide kids toward gentle treatment of dogs. At one point, young Sam explains to a group of friends: "Abby has feelings just like we do. She can't talk in words when she's sad or hurt, so we have to watch out for her and keep her safe." Wyatt's words drive the message home in a soft, gentle way -- the way she would like to see kids treat animals.
The finished product is written in a lively, sensitive style, underscored with captivating photography by Carol Max and Gayle Burns. And it has the endorsement of The Seeing Eye, David Frei, who is the broadcaster of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, and this columnist on the jacket.
Kids will enjoy following Abby's adventures -- easy to do since the perky pup always sports a bright red collar. I can see Wyatt's book widely accepted in homes, shelters and schools. Its adorable cover shouts: Buy me! To order an autographed copy, call (973) 316-6843 and add $3.85 shipping and handling, or do the same by fax at (973) 316-6843.
To the rescue
Loren Spiotta-DiMare, prolific author of animal-related children's books, knows how to wrap a message in a touching, true-life story for kids who love ponies. Don't they all?
In "Madeline's Miracle" (J.Pace Publications, $15.90), the Tewksbury author tracks a disabled pony, restricted to the use of three legs, which has been taken in by Mylestone Equine Rescue in Pohatcong.
Don't think this is a sad story. Quite the contrary. A battalion of kids struck by Madeline's plight, trotted themselves around the area to raise funds for the pony's surgery and a brace to restore mobility, resulting in a vast improvement in Madeline's quality of life.
Vivid color photos, by Jeanne Balsam of Stewartsville, capture the interplay between the altruistic kids and Madeline. For autographed copies of the hardcover book, send $15.90 plus $3.85 shipping and handling, to Loren Spiotta-DiMare, P.O. Box 301, Califon, N.J. 07830. A portion of proceeds benefits Mylestone (www.mylestone.org).
A boy and his dog
"Rockwell: A Boy and His Dog" (Barron's, $14.95), also by Spiotta-DiMare, combines classic artwork by Norman Rockwell with illustrations by Cliff Miller, whose work has appeared in Miramax, Warner Brothers and Lucas films. The focus of this fictional tale -- based on a true incident in Rockwell's life -- is Scotty Ingram, a child who appeared in many of the great illustrator's artwork. In her book, Spiotta-DiMare presents Rockwell's search for the right
canine model to pose with Scotty.
The ultimate choice is a surprise we won't spoil, leading to Rockwell's final calendar work. The illustrations and cover are spectacular. But then, how can you beat Rockwell? Or Spiotta-DiMare?
All about cats
There just aren't enough good books about cats.
If it weren't for Kim Campbell Thornton, with 14 books to her credit, there would be hardly any at all -- although she's equally adept writing about dogs. Her latest is "Starting Out Right with Your New Cat" (Innova, $12.95). Although she is not a veterinarian, Thornton is a bona fide expert on feline care, history and health issues.
A past president of the Cat Writers Association of America, the California author starts with the encouraging premise that improved nutrition and veterinary advances have increased life expectancy for indoor cats astronomically, making it no longer unusual for a cat to live 15 years. She tells you how to help your cat reach that number and beyond.
Addressing cat care from infancy to senior years, Thornton tackles obesity issues, behavioral problems and provides specific tips to keep cats happy and healthy. Integrating a new cat with resident pets is explored in depth. Her tips are enlivened by doses of humor, such as in the "'Hairball Hotline" section in which she writes, "Loose hair forms a ball in the stomach and then gets
vomited up, usually in dramatic fashion in the middle of a dinner party." Fearlessly, she demonstrates how to bathe a cat without being maimed. My advice: Buy both Thornton's book and this next one.
Happily ever after
Stefanie Schwartz, a veterinary behaviorist from Massachusetts, has earned the nickname "Dr. Cookie" for spoiling her furry clients with treats. Author of eight books, Dr. Cookie's guide to "Living Happily Ever After with Your Cat" (St. Martin's, $15.95) belongs in every cat owner's home. Dismissing the contention that cats "prefer" to be alone, she writes: "Cats are not dogs. They don't require obedience training or leash walks ... are easily house-trained and adapt well to a variety of lifestyles. It is not that cats don't need their owners' attention or affection; it is simply that cats can thrive with abbreviated quality time, compared to the extended investment of time and energy required on a daily basis by the average dog."
Along the way, chapters are introduced with stories of her own cats, as well as clients' cats. Schwartz tackles traveling with cats, introducing new cats into a multi-pet household, contending with illnesses and confronting death issues, including the euthanasia decision-making process that no one wants to face. Her writing style is so appealing, I found myself devouring her book like a novel -- couldn't put it down. She's one smart cookie.
Columnist on TV: Watch Joan Lowell Smith today on "Pet Stop" on News 12 New Jersey, with host Brian Voynick and dogs honored at recent NJVMA Animal Hall of Fame awards. Check local listings.
Next week: Coming events to share with pets.
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