Favorite Old Cat Books

It may not look like much on the outside (and without
the dust jacket, which was lost years and years ago),
but inside are some wonderful cat photos.

We have put together a short post today, due to lack of time on old SoLT’s part (some of us prefer to call this “lack of planning,” but whatever). For a while now, old SoLT has been wanting to share a couple of cat books from her childhood. They are books she has had seemingly forever, and to call them well-worn is a kindness; they are far from falling apart, but they do show their years of being owned by a child who turned their pages over and over and over.

Walter Chandoah’s Book of Kittens and Cats

The first is Walter Chandoah’s Book of Kittens and Cats. This book has gone through several editions, the earliest published in 1963 by Bramhall House. This is the one old SoLT has. It doesn’t look like much, but it is double special to her because its first page is inscribed:

Presented to Sarah Marie Andrews on the occasion of her 6^th birthday, December 22, 1974
Betty Van Zandt

She remembers being so honored to be presented with a book (and a grown-up book, no less!), and through the years she has read the inscription many, many times. Sadly, today she has no idea who Betty Van Zandt was.

Walter Chandoah (b. 1920) is a rather famous cat photographer, and this book is a collection of black and white photos of…kittens and cats. To old SoLT, they are iconic photos that are firmly etched in her memory. When she thinks of cats, often she still thinks of Chandoah’s photos. Used copies can be found on Amazon (this is not an affiliate link). You can follow Chandoah on Instagram.

The Cat Catalog: The Ultimate Cat Book

The Cat Catalog is so packed with interesting
information, it is hard to stop turning its pages.

The second book is The Cat Catalog: The Ultimate Cat Book, edited by Judy Fireman. Old SoLT does not know when she received this book, but it was published in 1976 by Workman, and she thinks she has had it since around that time. This book has fascinated her through the years because it contains page after page of stories and articles about everything cat. It is all so very interesting, from “The Historical Cat” to “The Medical Cat” and “The Legal Cat.” She still comes to it for blog post ideas (recognizing that some of its information may be out of date). Used copies are readily available: (Amazon buy link) Cat Catalog: The Ultimate Cat Book 

Those are old SoLT’s favorite old cat books. What about you? Do you have any treasured cat books from childhood (or adulthood—we’re not picky)? Please share in the comments!