Common links are explored between domestic cats and various types of wild cats that inhabit the Earth.

Once again, Bidner has created a delightful study that presents scientific information in a fun and accessible way. Children will enjoy learning how their cuddly domesticated kitties evolved from bigger, more ferocious cats, and what traits they still have in common with lions, tigers, panthers, and the rest of the feline family. Everything about the book is appealing, from the attractive self-contained spreads to the captions, bold headers, and blurbs that communicate concepts quickly.

Bestselling author Jeffrey Masson shows us what the animals at the top of the food chain-orca whales, big cats, etc.-can teach us about the origins of good and evil in ourselves. In his previous bestsellers, Masson has showed us that animals can teach us much about our own emotions-love (dogs), contentment (cats), and grief (elephants), among others. In Beasts, he demonstrates that the violence we perceive in the “wild” is a matter of projection. Animals predators kill to survive, but animal aggression is not even remotely equivalent to the violence of mankind. Humans are the most violent animals to our own kind in existence. We lack what all other animals have: a check on the aggression that would destroy the species rather than serve it. In Beasts, Masson brings to life the richness of the animal world and strips away our misconceptions of the creatures we fear, offering a powerful and compelling look at our uniquely human propensity toward aggression.

The 2007 pet food recalls followed a multitude of pets getting sick and dying from contaminated food; now pet owners must take charge of what they feed their dogs and cats. With The Ultimate Pet Food Guide, veteran dog trainer, behaviorist, and author Liz Palika focuses on nutritional needs and covers every type of feeding, including controversial raw diets, homemade cooked food, and commercial foods. Palika also addresses introducing new foods; what “human foods” pets shouldn't eat; free-feeding; responsibility for food safety; where ingredients come from; and red flags in ingredients. Included are over fifty veterinarian- and pet-nutritionist-approved recipes and diets tailored to special-needs pets, such as puppies/kittens and pregnant, older, overweight and/or more sedentary animals.

While storytelling is a great favorite of preschoolers, many elementary age children are more drawn to crafts and other activities. StoryCraft is an award-winning library program that combines storytelling with crafts in an exciting and engaging activity for children in first through third grades. Each one-hour program includes storytelling, a craft, movement, activities, music, and discussion. This collection of StoryCraft programs presents 50 fun and educational theme-based sessions. Each includes suggestions for promotion, music, crafts, activities, and stories. The sessions also include bibliographies to help direct young readers toward additional reading, as well as diagrams, detailed instructions, and supply lists for the crafts. The themes range from a Jungle Safari to Math Mayhem to a Western Roundup, all encouraging children to enjoy reading in a variety of ways. Each session has plenty of suggestions, so that the program can be customized. Helpful Hints for implementing the program can help any librarian, volunteer, or parent turn a ho-hum storytime into a dazzling StoryCraft time.

"Meet, love, and care for your new best friend"--Cover.

Paul Kunkel’s foolproof, tried-and-true 21 day program teaches any litter-trained cat to use a toilet instead of a litter box. It doesn’t require anything fancy—a toilet, a stack of magazines or newspapers, masking tape, plastic wrap, a supply of cat litter, and a litter box—and it’s the perfect program for anyone who wants a happier, healthier cat. The program begins with you placing the litter box next to the toilet, and ends with your beloved cat using the toilet—just like any other member of the family. For life. Along the way, owners learn why toilet-training is beneficial to cats. In well-researched, totally updated, fact-filled text, Kunkel traces the history of this mysterious animal, and explains why many cats equate the smell of a litter box with danger; why the fragrances, deodorants, dyes, and disinfectants found in most litters are detrimental to your cat’s well-being; and why the decision to transition to the toilet is one that will benefit both you and your cat. No more litter box, no more litter, no more cleaning—and no more smell!