Cats are like family and some enjoy being outside more than others.

I liked this book for several reasons. First, the book's illustrations enhanced the story, meaning that the reader can't fully understand the book's meaning unless they refer to its illustrations. For example, the book referred to the cat's (the main character) sisters as his owner's daughters. Without the illustrations, readers could assume that the author just meant cats that came from the same litter as him, but the illustrations depict two human girls as his sisters. Second, I liked that the main character of this books is a cat, and the writing gave readers a cat's point of view on things. Tink, the main character, is an indoor cat, but he enjoyed the little bit of time he was able to be outdoors when he came home from the vet. I feel like there are many outdoor cats that wish that they could go outside (such as mine) since it is a completely different, open world to them. Third, I liked that the book depicted the true meaning of having a pet as a family. For this reason, this could also be a book many cat-owners can relate to. For example, some cats really enjoy spending time with the people they live with, even if it is just sitting on their newspaper or getting in the bathtub (as depicted in the illustrations). I think that the main message of this book is that cats are like family, and without them life is a little more dull.

Well, I liked it better than the racist Skippyjohn books. In fact, I like the art of the cats quite a bit, but I wasn't in love with the writing. I don't know if it's because I anticipate being annoyed based on the series, and therefor am, or what, exactly.

Not egregious, but it won't be one of my go-to cat books ever.

Library copy. ( )

Tink reminds me of my own mentally retarded but irresistible sweet-natured cat. ( )

Bits & Pieces by Judy Schachner is the sequel to Grannyman. Tink, the kitten from the first book is now the elderly cat. His family have gotten a new kitten (who bears a striking resemblance to her famous kitten / Chihuahua, Skippyjon Jones).

While Tink the elderly is fine with his end of life role as the "grannyman", he begins to realize through his new charge, that there are things from like he's missing. First and foremost, he wants an adventure outside.

Tink's interest in the outside — without the desire to truly roam as a younger cat would, reminds me terribly of Caligula cat. Though she spent most of her life (save for a brief stint as an indoor / outdoor kitten) as an indoor cat, she began to rediscover the outdoors through our balcony garden. ( )