Cat Champions: Caring for Our Feline Friends

Gr 3–6—Laidlaw takes children's love of cats and combines it with their interest in making a difference by introducing young people who are working to save these animals. The book begins with a chapter about cats in general-their history, attributes, breeds, and cat shows. He then describes "Cat Champions" in the United States and Canada and their efforts to help abandoned, injured, or homeless felines: a girl who helps trap and neuter cats in a colony near her home, high school students who construct outdoor shelters for feral cats, and others. Unfortunately, the book design can impede readers' efforts to extract the information successfully. Each spread includes several photos and so many facts in the main text, in sidebars, and in captions that the book is visually overwhelming. Still, the kids' actions should inspire readers to get involved with rescue efforts in their own communities. This title would be useful for its information on young people and their determination to protect cats everywhere.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ