Scarlett Saves Her Family [Hardcover]

Jane Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 1997

A heartwarming portrait, in text and tender photographs, of the brave homeless cat who captured world headlines and the heart of the nation when she rescued her kittens from a burning building.

Last winter a fire swept through the abandoned garage in East New York that a stray calico cat and her brood of five kittens called home. As Ladder Company 75 worked to put out the flames, one astonished fire-fighter witnessed a remarkable sight: the mother cat, badly burned herself but oblivious to the danger, venturing back into the fire again and again to bring her kittens to safety.

Scarlett Saves Her Family is the moving story of this plucky cat and the many people whose lives she touched with her heroic act. This delightful tale brings a new dimension to our understanding of animal behavior and, through the appeal of one fearless feline and her kittens, waves a banner for the plight of countless homeless animals.

Conceived by J. C. Suares, one of the premier graphic artists in America today and creator of a number of the most successful cat books ever published, this charming scrapbook of a heroine's life reminds us what mother love, and life, are all about.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Scarlett Saves Her Family is the amazing true story of the New York cat who miraculously rescued her five kittens from a raging fire. It was a freezing March night when firemen were called to a blaze at an abandoned garage in Brooklyn. Pitiful meows alerted the firemen to five tiny kittens that had been carried from the fire by their badly burned mother cat, who would not rest until every kitten was safe.

The 10 heartwarming chapters capture the amazing frenzy that Scarlett and her kittens generated. From the vets at the North Shore Animal Clinic where the felines were treated to Oprah Winfrey, thousands followed the story with baited breath. This wonderful tribute to animal bravery is told from the perspective of rescuers, vets, and the lucky new owners of the feline brood. The gorgeous photographs speak a thousand words; the severly burned Scarlett is barely recognizable as a cat, but later photographs reveal a healthy, happy animal. The kittens grow from tiny burned bundles into beautiful, fat cats. Scarlett Saves Her Family is an adorable book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684842882
• ISBN-13: 978-0684842882
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable story of love and courage!, May 10, 2001

By 

FelineFatale (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Scarlett Saves Her Family (Hardcover)

When I first learned of this true life account of a very brave little mother cat, I was moved to tears. There is no creature on the planet, human or animal, who does not fear fire. Scarlet put her life at great risk, again and again, to save her five kittens. How great is a mother's love?

Scarlet may be just a cat to some, but to me she personifies everything a mother should be! If you care about animals, you can't help but love Scarlet. You will be deeply touched by the many caring humans who became intertwined in her little life. From the truly compassionate firefighter, David Gianelli, to the woman who eventually adopted Scarlet, you'll pleasantly savor and revel in the goodness of mankind.

This book should be recommended reading in our public schools because it lovingly teaches children compassion and virtues. Though the photos of a severely burned Scarlet are graphic,they poignantly illustrate the depth of her devotion and willingness to suffer pain in order to save the lives of her babies.

I loved this book. I love knowing that Scarlet is forever loved and cherished and has left a indelible memory in the hearts of caring people everywhere.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and compassion pour from the pages..., May 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Scarlett Saves Her Family (Hardcover)

Scarlett was once a nameless, unknown, unloved alley cat -- until a fire, set to the abandoned building that was "home" to her and her five month-old kittens, drove Scarlett to the act of bravery that has touched human hearts worldwide. Five times, Scarlett nosed through the smoke and flames to rescue her babies. Back and forth, carrying her infants to the slushy, winter-drenched street. Scarlett herself suffered massive burns; her eyes were swollen shut and much of her fur was singed away.

She was found in this state by fireman David Giannelli, who tenderly, urgently rescued Scarlett and her brood. From there, a human flood of care, compassion, love, and hope helped the feline family to heal from the trauma...and all (excepting one kitten, who died from a later viral infection) are now happy homebodies who I'm sure have entirely taken over the lives and hearts of their humans!

This story illustrates the very best of human and animal compassion. What better, irrefutable evidence for the intelligence, love, and courage of other species! Take it home and prepare to cry your heart out -- I did!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I cried when I read the saga of Scarlett., April 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Scarlett Saves Her Family (Hardcover)

Hey, who says New Yorkers have no heart? Scarlett
was our heroine for days!! I could understand cat
nuts like myself but Everyone was caught up in this feline desplay of valor, devotion and what it
means to be a mother. I loved it.