Reviews
Animal ethics 101: Catherine Kirkwood and Paige Grant
... Grant’s Kitten Caboodle has more of a message or agenda than Looking for Tula (namely, that humans should spay and neuter their pets and refrain from leaving them by the highway if they can’t care for them), but it’s delivered in a palatable, sweet story accompanied by Lisa Carol Williams’ illustrations. Still, the book does not shy away from several unpleasant truths and is refreshing in its forthright approach. Young readers will learn, for instance, that people sometimes treat animals poorly. Tessa’s classmates adopt two of the abandoned kittens, and Tessa’s mom brings two to the animal shelter. When she returns home, she reflects on the many older shelter cats who remain unadopted. Late in the book, when Tessa asks why the two kittens they kept had to be fixed, her mother illustrates cat-population explosion via a math lesson and kitty-shaped rubber stamps.
- Adele Oliveira, Pasatiempo, Santa Fe - New Mexican
(full article)
... Grant’s Kitten Caboodle has more of a message or agenda than Looking for Tula (namely, that humans should spay and neuter their pets and refrain from leaving them by the highway if they can’t care for them), but it’s delivered in a palatable, sweet story accompanied by Lisa Carol Williams’ illustrations. Still, the book does not shy away from several unpleasant truths and is refreshing in its forthright approach. Young readers will learn, for instance, that people sometimes treat animals poorly. Tessa’s classmates adopt two of the abandoned kittens, and Tessa’s mom brings two to the animal shelter. When she returns home, she reflects on the many older shelter cats who remain unadopted. Late in the book, when Tessa asks why the two kittens they kept had to be fixed, her mother illustrates cat-population explosion via a math lesson and kitty-shaped rubber stamps.
- Adele Oliveira, Pasatiempo, Santa Fe - New Mexican
(full article)
Kitten Caboodle does the neat trick of being both awesome and adorable.
- Laura Sanchez, author, Freaking Green (June 2014)
- Laura Sanchez, author, Freaking Green (June 2014)
Dear Mrs. Grant,
We listened to and read your book, Kitten Caboodle. It was good, cute, awesome, fantastic, informative. We learned a lot. We learned about some Spanish words. We learned about taking care of kittens. We learned some math. We learned what it means to foster animals.
Have you written any other books? Do you plan to write more books?
Would you like to visit us sometime?
- Ms. Sanford's third grade caboodle (February 2014)
We listened to and read your book, Kitten Caboodle. It was good, cute, awesome, fantastic, informative. We learned a lot. We learned about some Spanish words. We learned about taking care of kittens. We learned some math. We learned what it means to foster animals.
Have you written any other books? Do you plan to write more books?
Would you like to visit us sometime?
- Ms. Sanford's third grade caboodle (February 2014)
In Kitten Caboodle, a dad, mom and daughter (Tessa) with a good heart take in six abandoned kittens and help as many as they can find homes. Realistically, they are unable to find homes for two of the kittens and have to take them to the animal shelter. This book with a social conscience uses a concrete and fun example to explain how rapidly animals can multiply if not fixed. In addition, this family decides to become a part of the shelter’s foster program, by helping to raise kittens until they are big enough to be fixed and adopted by the right family. As we strive to make our children aware of issues such as these, this book is just what the vet ordered.
- Abby Folsom, 5th Grade Teacher (February 2014)
- Abby Folsom, 5th Grade Teacher (February 2014)
“Inspiring Children to Explore, Learn and Cooperate” - 2013 Moonbeam Children's Book Award Winners Announced
Contact: Jim Barnes, Awards Director
Children need positive role models that show them how to get along in life. They sure aren’t getting that from the U.S. Congress! The government shutdown and daily bickering between political parties sends a bad message, and our kids must look elsewhere for inspiration. Luckily, children’s books offer a positive alternative, and the winners of this year's Moonbeam Children's Book Awards contain a variety of encouraging and uplifting examples.
The 2013 medalists, 165 in all, represent a wide range of topics, and the judges were impressed by the quality of the books and their inspiring messages for children.Fireflies and Shooting Stars (Moonwatch Productions) tells of a little firefly who overcomes being born without a light. In Wish (Faerieground Series - Capstone Young Readers) a cluster of fireflies leads a young girl into a magic kingdom to rescue her friend.
Larger animals inhabit Kitten Caboodle (Azro Press), where children learn about the joy of raising kittens along with the reality of shelters and the importance of spaying and neutering. Taking the Reins (Coteau Books) tells of a much-loved horse that brings two teenage girls together amidst the Canadian frontier gold rush.
Some book titles pose intriguing questions: What’s in the Garden? (Dawn Publications) promotes eating fresh, local food; Fish Do WHAT in the Water? (Farcountry Press) encourages kids to explore the secret lives of marine animals. Other books make interesting statements: Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (Little Pickle Press) delves into how a boy with Asperger Syndrome handles his school environment; You Can Count On Gracie (Little Minute Publishing) teaches children to count with the help of Gracie the golden retriever.
The Moonbeam Awards exist to bring increased recognition to these kinds of exemplary children's books that inspire and delight children of all ages. Judging panels of librarians, teachers, students, and book reviewers chose medalists in 48 categories, and winning books came from a diverse group of long-established publishers, small presses, associations, and self-publishers.
This year’s contest attracted over 1,200 entries from throughout North America and around the world, and medals will go to books representing 35 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas. (Oct. 2013)
Contact: Jim Barnes, Awards Director
Children need positive role models that show them how to get along in life. They sure aren’t getting that from the U.S. Congress! The government shutdown and daily bickering between political parties sends a bad message, and our kids must look elsewhere for inspiration. Luckily, children’s books offer a positive alternative, and the winners of this year's Moonbeam Children's Book Awards contain a variety of encouraging and uplifting examples.
The 2013 medalists, 165 in all, represent a wide range of topics, and the judges were impressed by the quality of the books and their inspiring messages for children.Fireflies and Shooting Stars (Moonwatch Productions) tells of a little firefly who overcomes being born without a light. In Wish (Faerieground Series - Capstone Young Readers) a cluster of fireflies leads a young girl into a magic kingdom to rescue her friend.
Larger animals inhabit Kitten Caboodle (Azro Press), where children learn about the joy of raising kittens along with the reality of shelters and the importance of spaying and neutering. Taking the Reins (Coteau Books) tells of a much-loved horse that brings two teenage girls together amidst the Canadian frontier gold rush.
Some book titles pose intriguing questions: What’s in the Garden? (Dawn Publications) promotes eating fresh, local food; Fish Do WHAT in the Water? (Farcountry Press) encourages kids to explore the secret lives of marine animals. Other books make interesting statements: Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (Little Pickle Press) delves into how a boy with Asperger Syndrome handles his school environment; You Can Count On Gracie (Little Minute Publishing) teaches children to count with the help of Gracie the golden retriever.
The Moonbeam Awards exist to bring increased recognition to these kinds of exemplary children's books that inspire and delight children of all ages. Judging panels of librarians, teachers, students, and book reviewers chose medalists in 48 categories, and winning books came from a diverse group of long-established publishers, small presses, associations, and self-publishers.
This year’s contest attracted over 1,200 entries from throughout North America and around the world, and medals will go to books representing 35 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas. (Oct. 2013)
“Honorable Mention” in the Children's Books category at the Animals, Animals, Animals book festival in Chicago, IL. (Oct. 2013) www.animalsbookfestival.com.
Folks living in the country sometimes learn firsthand the issue of pet overpopulation when dogs and cats — or, worse, entire litters — get dumped on their property. For families attempting to answer the age-old question, “Why can’t we let the cat (or dog) have babies?” a new children’s book helps ease the task. Paige Grant wrote and Lisa Carol Williams illustrated Kitten Caboodle, a kindhearted little book that gets to the heart of the problem without preaching. A longtime foster mom for the Santa Fe Animal Shelter, the author uses the book for school presentations about pet ownership ― and hopes you’ll do the same.
- Mother Earth News Magazine (Facebook page - Sept. 2013)
- Mother Earth News Magazine (Facebook page - Sept. 2013)
I like this book because it places the child at the center of the story, presents her with a situation in which a decision - one that is at once an every-day decision and also a very important decision - must be made, and let's us see how the little girl comes to understand how to choose which decision to make. And there are lots of kittens and wonderful drawings of kittens!
Confession: I have known the author for a very long time, but I think I would like this book if that were not so. Why? The story, as stated above, but of equal importance the language in the book was not selected by an algorithm that limits the author to a pre-selected set of words that a publisher thinks can be understood by children. Read the story aloud and you will understand. If you read books to your children so that they will be both entertained and learn new words that give depth and breadth to their understanding, then this is a book to choose. I predict you will be asked to read it aloud many, many times. I also predict you will enjoy reading this story aloud even for the umpteenth time!
This is also a book for the young reader. Again, the story is written with a rich vocabulary that, along with the story, will hold the new reader's attention and give a reward for reading.
I read the book and immediately ordered a copy for my grand-niece. Kittens!
- Robert B. Shirley (Aug. 2013)
Confession: I have known the author for a very long time, but I think I would like this book if that were not so. Why? The story, as stated above, but of equal importance the language in the book was not selected by an algorithm that limits the author to a pre-selected set of words that a publisher thinks can be understood by children. Read the story aloud and you will understand. If you read books to your children so that they will be both entertained and learn new words that give depth and breadth to their understanding, then this is a book to choose. I predict you will be asked to read it aloud many, many times. I also predict you will enjoy reading this story aloud even for the umpteenth time!
This is also a book for the young reader. Again, the story is written with a rich vocabulary that, along with the story, will hold the new reader's attention and give a reward for reading.
I read the book and immediately ordered a copy for my grand-niece. Kittens!
- Robert B. Shirley (Aug. 2013)
Kayla's (age 5) face tells it all! She is the happy recipient of Kitten Caboodle from her great-uncle.
Recently the author of 'Kitten Caboodle' sent to the Sentinel a copy, hot off the press. My grandpa thought it was a great idea for me to write a book review.
Kitten Caboodle is for ages 4 to "forever" it says and I found it to be an easy reader. Adding a few Spanish words, you could say it's a bilingual book.
The story 'Kitten Caboodle' is about a girl's (Tessa) father bringing home a box with six kittens. The family loved the kittens but they could only keep two. Tessa got permission from two of her friend's parents to give them the other kittens.
The two remaining kitties that Tessa called the Halloween kittens were taken to the shelter.
Tessa's family planed to spay and neuter the two kittens that they kept, but wanted more kittens.
The author and illustrator do a great job of showing what happens if you don't spay or neuter your pets. I don't want to spoil the story or the ending of the book for you, so pick up a copy of 'Kitten Caboodle' to find out what happens.
- McKenzie L., age 10 (Sept. 2013)
Kitten Caboodle is for ages 4 to "forever" it says and I found it to be an easy reader. Adding a few Spanish words, you could say it's a bilingual book.
The story 'Kitten Caboodle' is about a girl's (Tessa) father bringing home a box with six kittens. The family loved the kittens but they could only keep two. Tessa got permission from two of her friend's parents to give them the other kittens.
The two remaining kitties that Tessa called the Halloween kittens were taken to the shelter.
Tessa's family planed to spay and neuter the two kittens that they kept, but wanted more kittens.
The author and illustrator do a great job of showing what happens if you don't spay or neuter your pets. I don't want to spoil the story or the ending of the book for you, so pick up a copy of 'Kitten Caboodle' to find out what happens.
- McKenzie L., age 10 (Sept. 2013)
Kitten Caboodle is a book with a very important message! The story of how a family rescues a box of abandoned kittens confronts the realities of America's growing problem of unwanted kittens and puppies in a delightful way! The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL and make me want to foster some kittens.............
- Gail M. Albert, Teacher (Sept. 2013)
- Gail M. Albert, Teacher (Sept. 2013)
How refreshing to have the problems (of domestic animal over population) and the solution explained so clearly that children understand!
- Evelyn Foster, Family Psychologist (Sept. 2013)
- Evelyn Foster, Family Psychologist (Sept. 2013)
A wonderful story, beautifully illustrated, to share with everyone. It gives the reader some insight to what community shelters deal with daily. Understanding that there is a way to make a difference, is so important, especially with the younger generation. Spay, neuter, foster and volunteer. The animals are depending on us!
- Diana de los Santos, Operations Manager, SPCA of Hancock County (Sept. 2013)
- Diana de los Santos, Operations Manager, SPCA of Hancock County (Sept. 2013)
Author Paige Grant and artist Lisa Carol Williams offer an entertaining way to teach children about responsible pet care and ownership in "Kitten Caboodle" (Azro Press).
"The story started out as a pun that popped into my head and the story wrote itself from there, though there's a story behind that came from my experience of fostering animals. There have been adult abused dogs, a batch of puppies dumped in a ditch and kittens posted in a mail box," said Grant in a phone interview from her home in Santa Fe.
She's a long-time volunteer for the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. She and her husband fostered "adult animals that needed some loving-kindness to get over their fear of people, and puppies and kittens that needed a safe, happy place to grow until they got big enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted into a forever home. The shelter finds home for 95 percent of the animals," she said.
Concern about the issues of responsible pet ownership inspired her to write her book for "ages 4 to forever" -- with a New Mexican twist.
The book chronicles the adventures of a girl named Tessa whose father brings home a litter of tiny kittens he found abandoned in a box in a ditch. The family nurtures the six kitties, adopts two, finds home for another pair and fosters and socializes the others so they'll have a better chance to find homes at a shelter.
When Tessa wonders why her kittens have to be "fixed" instead of producing more adorable kittens, her mother explains the realities of cat proliferation with a clever game using cat stamps and ink pads.
- S. Derrickson Moore, reviewer for Las Cruces Sun-News (Sept. 2013)
"The story started out as a pun that popped into my head and the story wrote itself from there, though there's a story behind that came from my experience of fostering animals. There have been adult abused dogs, a batch of puppies dumped in a ditch and kittens posted in a mail box," said Grant in a phone interview from her home in Santa Fe.
She's a long-time volunteer for the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. She and her husband fostered "adult animals that needed some loving-kindness to get over their fear of people, and puppies and kittens that needed a safe, happy place to grow until they got big enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted into a forever home. The shelter finds home for 95 percent of the animals," she said.
Concern about the issues of responsible pet ownership inspired her to write her book for "ages 4 to forever" -- with a New Mexican twist.
The book chronicles the adventures of a girl named Tessa whose father brings home a litter of tiny kittens he found abandoned in a box in a ditch. The family nurtures the six kitties, adopts two, finds home for another pair and fosters and socializes the others so they'll have a better chance to find homes at a shelter.
When Tessa wonders why her kittens have to be "fixed" instead of producing more adorable kittens, her mother explains the realities of cat proliferation with a clever game using cat stamps and ink pads.
- S. Derrickson Moore, reviewer for Las Cruces Sun-News (Sept. 2013)
Kitten Caboodle is well read by the feline population at the Santa Fe Humane Society!
A house filled with adorable kittens may be appealing to some, but in terms of the animals’ welfare, adoption may be the best bet. In the book by Santa Fe author Paige Grant, a father brings home a box full of kittens, he found abandoned in a ditch. The daughter, Tessa is instantly enamored with the litter and of course, wants to keep all of them. The mother objects but does agree to keep two — a calico female named Crazy Quilt or Quiltie and a black and white male named Maestro. After a show and tell at school two classmates were allowed to adopt a kitten each — with the parents’ permission. When it is time for the female to have kittens, the mother gives a lesson of how procreating cats may be a bad idea. It is a talk Tessa understands that spaying or neutering kittens is a necessary action.
The family agrees to become foster parents for various kittens left at the shelter, before they are put up for adoption and placed in forever homes, as long as Tessa agrees to clean the litter box.
“Kitten Caboodle” is a cute story of a little girl’s lesson in responsibility and the importance of pet adoption. The last two pages hold information of how to get involved with the local shelter, adopting and reduced fee or free ways to spay and neuter pets.
- Gina Shultz, Features Editor, Los Alamos Monitor (Sept. 2013)
The family agrees to become foster parents for various kittens left at the shelter, before they are put up for adoption and placed in forever homes, as long as Tessa agrees to clean the litter box.
“Kitten Caboodle” is a cute story of a little girl’s lesson in responsibility and the importance of pet adoption. The last two pages hold information of how to get involved with the local shelter, adopting and reduced fee or free ways to spay and neuter pets.
- Gina Shultz, Features Editor, Los Alamos Monitor (Sept. 2013)
A good story delights you and warms your heart. It's warm and fuzzy, like a cuddly little kitten. A great story delights you, warms your heart and teaches you something important. Kitten Caboodle does all those things and more. It's plenty warm and plenty fuzzy, and it's full of wise teaching. This is a book to take to bed with you, to read and then think about as you're falling asleep.
- Joe Hayes, storyteller and author of Southwestern folk tales (Cinco Puntos Press) (Aug. 2013)
- Joe Hayes, storyteller and author of Southwestern folk tales (Cinco Puntos Press) (Aug. 2013)
This is a beautiful book that sends a much needed message about the animal crisis in our community. This story gets to the heart of the solution; educating future generations about our responsibility to our animal friends.
- Kelly Moore, New Hope Coordinator, Santa Fe Animal Shelter (Aug. 2013)
- Kelly Moore, New Hope Coordinator, Santa Fe Animal Shelter (Aug. 2013)