Super Cats: True Stories of Felines that Made History

Gr 3–6—No cat fancier needs to be told that cats are super. But this fact-filled book will do an excellent job of convincing others. MacLeod, who has written a similar book about dogs, enumerates the various ways felines are cool by highlighting not only what some cats have accomplished or helped humans achieve, but also by diving deep into their physiology and history. Each chapter begins with a story—either entirely fictional or a mix of real-world facts and some imagination—then segues into information that fits the chapter. For instance, chapter four starts by retelling how Nikola Tesla's tomcat Macak motivated him to study electricity (the furry companion often produced sparks while walking). The section continues on to explore more about Tesla's inventions and electricity, why some prosthetics for runners are shaped like cats' paws, and cats who have inspired musicians and other artists. Mixing facts with real-life anecdotes makes this slim book highly accessible to readers. It's a smart setup to keep kids interested. Nearly every page contains a factoid box (in the shape of a cat's head, naturally), sidebars, photos, or drawings. Back matter includes a list of sources, places cat lovers may want to visit, and a time line stretching from 34 million years ago to present day.