Some of you may already be familiar with my crazy cat, Phoebe.
She meowed at my back door one night, I opened the sliders, and she sashayed in, looked around and said, “Isn’t this great?”, just like Damone from Fast Times at Ridgemont High—anywhere you are, that’s the place to be! (Especially if it has a fireplace and tuna.)
So when Maria Gianferarri asked if I’d do a cover reveal for her companion book to BEING A DOG, Phoebe stepped up to ask the questions about BEING A CAT: A TAIL OF CURIOSITY.
(For ease of reading, I’ve translated from Phoebe’s native Feline tongue.)
Maria, I’m curious, where is Cat’s favorite place to nap?
Cat’s favorite place to nap is dog’s bed.
Surely that can’t be the ONLY place to take a snooze?
Atop a radiator, or in a slice of sun.
Ahh, I know all about sun slices.
Anything else Cat wants to impart to the readers?
Yes. Curiosity did NOT kill the cat.
Thanks, Maria! Now without further meow, the BEING A CAT cover by illustrator Pete Oswald!
Sittin’ pretty!
Blog readers, the prolific Maria is giving away a PB critique with this reveal.
Just leave one comment below.
A random winner will be selected at the end of the month.
Good luck!
Maria Gianferrari wonders and is in awe of the natural world and its inhabitants, domestic and wild cats included. She lives in Massachusetts with her inquisitive scientist husband and Maple the dog, a watcher who’s curious about anything that moves, especially if she can chase it! Curiously, though an unabashed dog lover, this is Maria’s third book featuring cats as main characters, most recently Bobcat Prowling, as well as Officer Katz and Houndini. You can learn more about Maria at her website, MariaGianferrari.com.
Pete Oswald is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and an Annie Award-nominated animation production designer best known for The Angry Birds Movie film franchise and Oscar® Nominated ParaNorman, in addition to multiple animated studio films. He is also known for his work as a children’s book author and illustrator, and painter. Pete lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and three sons.
83 comments
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June 14, 2022 at 2:22 pm
Teresa Traver
This book looks adorable!
June 14, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Maria Marshall
Wahoo! A companion for Being A Dog! Exciting. Can’t wait to read this! Congrats, Maria.
June 14, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Gregory E Bray
I’ll have to read this to my cat. Congratulations!
June 14, 2022 at 2:29 pm
kaziemann
This looks like such a fun book. Thank you for sharing it!
June 14, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Lori Alexander
This cover is enough to turn me into a cat person. Love it!
June 14, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Karen Troncale
I love cats! What a great book cover. Can’t wait to read this.
June 14, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Diane O'Neill
This book sounds wonderful–I can’t wait to read it! (Maybe my felines Daisy and Mini will read it with me 🙂
June 14, 2022 at 2:39 pm
treuting
So adorable! Can’t wait to read it (and maybe my cat will be into it too!).
June 14, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Alison McGauley
As a cat and picture book lover, I cannot wait to read your book, Maria! Congrats 🥳
June 14, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Angel
I would love to read this book =)
June 14, 2022 at 2:41 pm
kiwijenny
I’m more a dog person but my stories feature cats more
June 14, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Sue Heavenrich
Awww, this looks so cute. I’m such a sucker for cat tales – er, tails.
June 14, 2022 at 2:49 pm
rnewman504
Congrats, Maria! The book looks purr-fect!
June 14, 2022 at 2:54 pm
H. Abigail Perry
I can’t wait to read this book!
June 14, 2022 at 2:59 pm
rosecappelli
This looks adorable!
June 14, 2022 at 3:01 pm
Kelly Jaques
Great post, congratulations on the wonderful book!
June 14, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Renée Neubauer
This book looks fantastic! Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!
June 14, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ann Harrell
This looks like a delightful book! As a “dog person” who was adopted by two cats who enriched my life more than I can say (one lived to be 21), I’ll look forward to reading Being a Cat. Congratulations!
June 14, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Christine Fleming McIsaac
I can’t wait to read this!
June 14, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Jessica Milo
This looks so fun and cute!! Can’t wait to read it to my cats 🙂 Congratulations, Maria!!
June 14, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Ellie Langford
A very creative cover reveal, Tara. I have a crazy cat, too, but lovable.
June 14, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Kim A Larson
Congratulations, Maria! Sounds like a purrrfect book!
June 14, 2022 at 3:19 pm
supermario6
Can’t wait to read this!
June 14, 2022 at 3:34 pm
midfreeman
I love the idea of following curiosity via a cat. Congratulations, Maria!
June 14, 2022 at 3:34 pm
christym1234
Looks like a super cute book! Thank you Phoebe for the introduction. 🙂
June 14, 2022 at 3:35 pm
christym1234
Looks like a super cute book. Thank you Phoebe for the introduction.
🙂
June 14, 2022 at 3:36 pm
Bethanny Parker
Congrats on your new book. Your cover is adorable!
June 14, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Natasha
Maria- congratulations to you and Peter. Great cover! Clearly you know a thing or two about cats and dogs and PBs and curiosity. I’d love to win a critique by you.
June 14, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Lena Walde
Congratulations from Germany on this beautiful new book!
June 14, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Wendy Greenley
Another cute book! Congratulations, Maria!
June 14, 2022 at 3:55 pm
topangamaria
Wow. Looks like you really captured a cat attitude.
June 14, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Jennifer Cowan
Maria – congrats on Being a Cat! The cover is great. I’m a total cat person – we have 3. I’d like to read them your book, because they seem to think they’re little furry monsters, not cats! Congrats again 🙂
June 14, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Need to step up your game – I have 9, all feral rescues.
June 14, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Joannie Duris
Thanks, Phoebe, for asking the purr-fect questions, and Tara for being the feline translator. Congratulations Maria and Peter on this PB collaboration. We can never have enough books featuring cats!
June 14, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Poupette
Yippee for cats! Well done, Phoebe.
June 14, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Karan Greene
This sounds purrfect! Can’t wait to read Being a Cat!
June 14, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Kelly Bennett
I love Cat! I may love Cat more than Dog. Congrats
June 14, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Cat wait for this one!
June 14, 2022 at 11:27 pm
marcusewert
I hope I’m not double-posting (darn password resets!) buuuuut
this book looks so charming
– great title, intriguing concept, and amazing art!
June 14, 2022 at 4:48 pm
Brenna Jeanneret
Great cover reveal! Thanks for sharing 🙂
June 14, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Sandy Lowe
Looking forward to seeing more of that adorable cat!
June 14, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Elia Ben-Ari
Congratulations on your new book — from a cat person (who is minus a cat at the moment)!
June 14, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Reed Hilton-Eddy
There is a whole group of cat lovers out there – myself included. Love the cover.
June 14, 2022 at 5:12 pm
leslieevatayloe
Aren’t cats funny? I adopted a black cat with buck teeth. She only gives me love when she feels like it, usually when I sit at my desk working. She always gets the dog in trouble! Can’t wait to read your book. Best wishes in 2022.
June 14, 2022 at 5:42 pm
stevejankousky
That cover is the cat’s meow!
June 14, 2022 at 5:58 pm
chardixon47
Congrats, Maria! I can tell this kitty tale is special. I’m looking forward to reading! Pete’s cover illustration is a delight!
June 14, 2022 at 6:29 pm
JenFW
I confess I sometimes I like to nap in the dog’s bed, too.
June 14, 2022 at 6:38 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Love any book cat related. Should be on my shelves soon
June 14, 2022 at 7:04 pm
jensubra
I would not mind napping atop a radiator, or like my very old cat, Marmalade, wherever I feel like plopping down! This looks like an adorable book!
June 14, 2022 at 7:25 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
I miss sharing my house with a cat!
June 14, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Kathy Doherty
Cute cover!…I think it’s purr-fect!
June 14, 2022 at 8:20 pm
srkckass
Such a fun book! Congrats!
June 14, 2022 at 8:22 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Congrats on your books!
June 14, 2022 at 9:12 pm
Nadine Poper
Pete Oswald is the illustrator?? How awesome for you and Being a Cat. Congratulations!
June 14, 2022 at 9:17 pm
Marcia Berneger
What a fun story! Thanks for sharing the book with us.
June 14, 2022 at 9:26 pm
ptnozell
This dog mother is curious to read your new cat book! Congratulations!
June 14, 2022 at 9:27 pm
Chelle Martin
Love the art. Look forward to reading. Congratulations!
June 14, 2022 at 10:35 pm
seschipper
Congratulations Maria and Pete! Looking forward to reading this PB! 🙂
June 14, 2022 at 11:20 pm
Marla Yablon
Love cat books! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
June 14, 2022 at 11:31 pm
pollyrenner
Wow Maria! Congrats on another cat book. Great choice of MCs. My three cats and I can’t wait to read it.
June 15, 2022 at 12:03 am
sassyscribesblog
Looks like a fun one. Great cover.
June 15, 2022 at 12:39 am
Karen Chun
Creative interview and so cat like! I want to read it!
June 15, 2022 at 1:20 am
Melissa-Jane Nguyen
Awww so cute! The illustrations look great and it sounds like it’ll be a fun book to read 😀
June 15, 2022 at 2:43 am
Pamela Allen-Sanders
What a sweet title! I can’t wait to read your book.
June 15, 2022 at 10:03 am
Angie
I LOVE it! Can’t wait to read it! Congrats, Maria! And good job, Phoebe. 🙂
June 15, 2022 at 10:58 am
Katie
Cats are the best! And the artwork is gorgeous. Can’t wait to read it!
June 15, 2022 at 11:32 am
Susan Johnston Taylor
This book looks adorable! I’d love to win a critique with Maria.
June 15, 2022 at 12:33 pm
Danielle Hammelef
Another fantastic book be Maria! The cover art is adorable. Thank you for the chance to win a critique from an author I admire.
June 15, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Antoinette Truglio Martin
Oh my, what a cute kitty for the cover. This sounds like a very fun book.
June 15, 2022 at 3:43 pm
marty bellis
Such a cute cover. Can’t wait to read about Cat.
June 15, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Mary
Congrats, Maria, on cat book #3!! Looks adorable and got me remembering my cat, Mitzi, who grew up with me.
June 15, 2022 at 5:44 pm
Mirka
Phoebe was a wonderful host today! LOL
June 15, 2022 at 9:59 pm
Liz Godfrey
If my cats Harriet, Festus and Suzy were still around, they would join me in reading your book. I would love to experience a critique with you, Maria!
June 16, 2022 at 1:33 am
Carolsue
I love cats — my kids love cats! I want this book!
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
June 16, 2022 at 10:48 am
Janna MacLean
Slice of sunshine! Brilliant. ha
June 16, 2022 at 10:54 am
Krista Harrington
This looks adorable! Being a dog mom, I’m not sure I’d know anything about cats to write! Good job:)
June 16, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Kristin Kolp
So cute! Love the cover. Looks like a fun book! (Now I need to check out the dog one too!)
June 17, 2022 at 1:16 pm
tinefg
You gotta love that cat personality (Pheobe, may I introduce Willow aka: “Mischief Personified”?). This book looks adorable! Congratulations, Maria and Pete, on your upcoming release.
June 17, 2022 at 4:59 pm
stephaniemstories
Such a cute book cover. Congratulations!
June 18, 2022 at 5:42 pm
Elayne
Congrats on your newest book, Maria and Pete! And how generous to give away a critique. 🙂
June 20, 2022 at 8:05 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks for the purr-fectly pawsome cover reveal, Phoebe & Tara
June 26, 2022 at 4:10 pm
Shannon Fossett
Looks like a fun one! Can’t wait to read it! We’ve always had cats and they are always curious!!! 😸
June 26, 2022 at 6:53 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Oh my gosh! That cover! I love Maria’s books and can’t wait to get my paws on this one!