Eyewitness: Cat [Hardcover]

Juliet Clutton-Brock (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: DK Eyewitness Books

Discover the fascinating world of cats -- their evolution, behavior and secret lives.

Here is an exciting and informative guide to the extraordinary world of cats, both wild and domestic. Superb color photographs of large and small cats, and the art and artifacts they have inspired, offer a unique "eyewitness" view that covers the subject from tooth to claw. See a jaguar swimming, a cat that can outrun a car, a cat with a curly coat, a leopard that has lost its spots, the cat worshiped by the ancient Egyptians, a caracal's tufted ears, and a black panther stalking its prey. Learn why cats need whiskers, how cats purr, how the Manx cat lost its tail, why a lick form a friendly lion could skin you alive, why a lion has a mane, and why a tiger is striped. Discover how cats communicate, why cats play with prey, why cats eat grass, how and why a tomcat marks his territory, how cats find their way home, why the black cat has been both persecuted and pampered, why cats are said to have nine lives, and much, much more.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Another lavish ``Eyewitness Book,'' with striking color photos of members of the cat family, both wild and tame, and a kaleidoscope of minutia--including cat ancestors (the dinictis, hoplophoneus, and miacis), mythology (Egyptian, Buddhist, Aztec, Mochica), contemporary breeds (Rex, Siamese, Birman), cats in literature and art, anatomy, feral cats, and cat care. In general, the text provides too little information to be very useful, while much of the vocabulary (``robust,'' ``excreta,'' ``lithe,'' ``gestation,'' ``suckle'') will be difficult for younger readers. Still, they'll be happy to pore over the entrancing photos, wisely ignoring much of the text. Index. (Nonfiction 7-12) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN; 1st edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789457520
• ISBN-13: 978-0789457523
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,265,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed look at the secret lives of cats!, March 27, 2001

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eyewitness: Cat (Hardcover)

This is so much more than a reference book on cats. While the American Library Binding makes this book very durable, it could almost be a coffee table book on the life of cats.

Since I adore cats, this book was irresistible. Both wild and domestic cats are pictured in full color. The photographs are superb. Children will get to see a jaguar swimming in the tropical forest rivers and find out why the ancient Egyptians worshiped cats.

Did you know that Tigers actually enjoy swimming? Did you ever wonder if a cat chews its food? Why do cats need whiskers and how do they purr? So, why do cats behave in the ways they do? This book tells all the secrets including why people say a cat has nine lives.

The text is fun to read and little notes about historical details are sprinkled around the pages. The center of attention is definitely the furry felines we have grown to love. A special section of caring for your cat, makes this book the cat's meow!

~The Rebecca Review

>^..^<

5.0 out of 5 stars CATch-Up with your feline knowledge!, March 17, 2009

By 

Mike McCLUSKEY "Big Mac" (Fulda, Germany) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DK Eyewitness Books: Cat (Hardcover)

I ordered this book after seeing "our" cat illustrated inside... using
the AMAZON DOT-COM feature "Look Inside." Well, a Tortoise Shell [and
white] Cat is on page 52... or a distant-relative, anyway.

That price was just fantastic, too! Cannot go wrong with this book!

Hundreds of exquisite color photographs. Just a PURR-fect Table-top book,
and, "Kitty-Kittie" lets me look at the book... when she's not ON it.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, January 19, 2009

By 

D. West - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DK Eyewitness Books: Cat (Hardcover)

This was purchased as a gift for an 8 year-old. He loved it! He had requested a cat book for Christmas and this was exactly what he wanted.