The Cat Encyclopedia for Kids

Cat lovers will be engrossed by this brightly photographed resource for identifying, learning about, and selecting breeds, a companion to The Dog Encyclopedia for Kids. Mattern introduces 12 popular feline varieties (and includes additional breeds in a closing section); among them are Birman, Maine coon, Manx, Persian, Siamese, and sphinx cats. The photographs feature multiple cats, providing a reasonably broad understanding of variations within a breed, and Mattern engagingly describes the origins of the breeds (along with a few legends), their traits (such as markings, facial features, and typical personality), and an overview of care requirements before concluding with thoughts on whether each type of cat might be a good fit for a household. While Mattern often encourages readers to adopt their cats, she also acknowledges that breeders are a more likely source for purebreds. Ages 9–12. (Mar.)