I’m beginning to think Patricia Furstenberg features as often on Linda’s Book Bag as I do!

Patricia was my first Staying in With… guest here and has been on the blog several times. Patricia wrote a super guest post for the blog about the importance of reading that you will find here, and another about celebrating diversity in children’s fiction here. I was also privileged to review other Patricia’s children’s books, Puppy: 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles, here and As Good As Gold here. Today I’m reviewing Belle Cat: Whiskers on my mat.

Belle Cat: Whiskers on my mat is available for purchase here.

Belle Cat: Whiskers on my mat

When a stray cat, lost and hurt, is given a second chance she grabs it with all of her… paws!
Based on a true love story between a cat and her human, told with compassion and humor.
Insightful images of the real cat Belle are included to support this poem.
Additional fun, educational chapters:
“Did you know? Fun-tastic cat facts” – Interesting cat facts for young and old.
“Say what? What is a cat’s tail saying?” – Understand the secret language cats and kittens use by moving their tails
“How to… Tracking pet cats” – Just like the big cats, house cats leave footprints everywhere! Be a pet detective in your own back yard.
True story, pet rescue.

My Review of Belle Cat: Whiskers on my mat

A new rescue cat like Belle might be just what you’re looking for!

Yet again Patricia Furstenburgh has brought her combination of charm and warmth to her writing for children. Belle Cat: Whiskers on my mat is such a lovey book.

Aside from the utterly gorgeous pictures which are just wonderful there is so much to enjoy with children. Almost from the start is the positive message that, regardless of our start in life, we can all fulfil our potential. Belle has a new home filled with love. There’s lots of new and appropriate vocabulary to develop children’s language so that reading Belle Cat provides real opportunity for learning.

I liked the other more general sections of the book too as the cat facts help educate children as well as entertain them and a knowledge of a cat’s tail signals might come in handy with their own pets! Patricia Furstenberg manages to convey both a love of cats and a healthy respect for them too.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Belle and reading Belle Cat has made me miss my own, no longer with us, cats.

About Patricia Furstenberg

Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading. She always carries a notebook and a pen, although at times she jots down her ideas on the back of till slips or types them on her phone.

Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in humorous, child-friendly ideas while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her is an exhilarating need to write and… coffee:

Between her books include Joyful Trouble, The Cheetah and the Dog, Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles.

Patricia is a Huffington Post contributor and pens the Sunday Column for MyPuppyclub.net as well as dabbing in freelancing. After completing her Medical Degree in Romania she moved to South Africa where she now lives with her husband, children and their dogs.

All of Patricia’s children’s books are available here.

You can follow Patricia Furstenberg on Twitter, find her on Facebook and visit her website. She’s also on Goodreads.