Of course I know I am a lucky cat in many ways, but I am wondering if I will have even better luck with this beautiful Lucky Cats Paper Dolls: Maneki Neko book!
My human saw it when Cody and his human reviewed it on their blog, and she was so charmed by it that word got back to the author and illustrator, Maggie Swanson, and she sent us a copy!
The paper dolls are based on two of Ms. Swanson’s real, live kitties! Tommie came from the woods near her house, and Gracie was a rescue cat from PAWS, where she volunteers. You may have heard of PAWS before if you read the Animal Shelter Volunteer Life blog. And guess what? Ms. Swanson also has a blog in which she features PAWS kitties! It’s called Sundays at the Shelter — do go check it out.
There are 40 costumes to cut out and dress up Gracie and Tommie. They are from all over the world and some are historical. Above you can see costumes from Medieval times and from Hawaii. There are Japanese costumes, ancient Egyptian costumes, fun fishing outfits and many more! Plus, of course, Maneki Neko costumes, along with the story of the Lucky Cat. Each set explains the symbolic imagery and they are all gorgeous illustrations!
Plus there are a bunch of really awesome Lucky Cat stickers!
So why do I think this Lucky Cats Paper Dolls: Maneki Neko book will make me lucky? Because maybe my human will spend her time dressing up these paper cat dolls and we kitties will get to avoid fashion faux pas, at least for a while!
A copy of this book was provided by the author. Links to Amazon are Associate links — hey, a kitty’s gotta eat!
I had to go back and look at this post again. A year ago we lost our sweet ten year old muse, model, and companion Gracie. Tommie is battling kidney disease, but still our beloved guy. And Sparkle is gone. I’m tearing up writing this, but the overwhelming feeling is gratitude for whatever time we had with these wonderful, talented, endlessly fascinating beings.
Looking forward to watching Summer grow up.
xxoo
Thank you, Sparkle! Wow, where was I? Two months later and I just accidentally saw this lovely review of my book. I am blushing with pleasure. The comments from so many people who have blogs that I visit and love mean a lot to me.
As Edward Gorey, one of my favorite illustrators, said, “Books. Cats. Life is good”.
Maggie
http://www.maggieswanson.com
We did a giveaway for one last week, and love the book but adore Maggie for her tireless volunteering at PAWS.
OMG!!! I WANT ONE!!!!
You know what? That looks like the kind of fun thing that the Human and other Humans would “save” cause it was “special” and they’d never even PLAY with it. Sigh.
Sparkle, me loves how yous thinks!
Kisses
Nellie
We love Maggie’s work! She is so talented! And we have Tommie’s Paw of Approval on our blog. We don’t have any kids around, but the mom might have to get Maggie’s book anyway.
Very cute paper dolls! Kitties at that!!!
If we have already told you excuse Mom – she is in a fog lately but thank you so very much for your kind words about our Joey. It means so much that so many care.
Whoa! Those look pawsome. BTW, Pop’s friend loved your calendar.
Sparkle, we’d say you are very lucky 🙂 The kitty paper dolls book is really cute! Wonderful artwork – we wouldn’t want to play with it! We didn’t realize about the connection with the kitties and PAWS and Sundays at the Shelter 🙂 So cool! Well, we hope the book will satisfy your person’s dress-up-the-pets desires 😀
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, HOllie
Wow, Sparkle, that is one of the coolest books I’ve ever seen! I think you are beyond lucky!
Yes Sparkle, you are very lucky and that is a great book! We went over to see their blog too, it’s great and we love the PAWS kitties.
I must see to that my mom order that book too , so she can dress up those papercats instead of me 😀
those a purry purrty kittehs for sure Sparkle. Nice holiday gift for kids, paw pats, Savvy
Sparkle, I would love to buy this book, but don’t see any link to Amazon. Do you have an associate link?
The drawings are exquisite, it is indeed a work of art.
The book title has a link to the book on Amazon – it wasn’t working before, but now it is. And you can also click on the actual photo of the book on the bottom of the blog post. That is also an Amazon link!
Those are so cute! We like the way you think too Sparkle!
Hi Sparkle! We haven’t visited for some time. We saw the post about the secret paws package you sent Truffle & Brulee & that reminded us. Hope all you holiday preparations are going well, we know you’re probably snoopervising all the festivities! I may have to look up in your book how to keep Scout from stalking & attacking Patches elebenty-seben times a day. -Shaggy
It’s adorable!!!! …and we had no idea that sweet Maggie was behind all those wonderful illustrations!!! She is so very talented.
xo Glogirly & Katie
What an amazing book!
You are lucky Sparkle!!
That’s a beautiful book. And so kind of Maggie to send you a copy. There, see, you are lucky already! And I’m sure it’s just going to get better. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs.
I would find it lucky to think that the woman would dress up paper cats rather than any of us…
That’s just so cute ! I imagine that kids would love to dress the kitties !
so glad we were able to hook you up! xoxo
that Maggie sure is an amazing one!
That is delightful – we played with paper dolls when I was a kid – cutting them wasn’t so easy especially if you snipped off the little tabs that were supposed to keep the clothes on…I shall have to look up the story of the Lucky Cat…I’ve seen the statues but not the story…
You are a lucky kitty. This book would be perfect for a child who loves kitties too!
Maggie
That is a really cute book. Maggie did such a good job on it. Sparkle, we think your Mom is just a big kid, kind of like our Mom playing with the darn Rudolphs.
Have a great day.
Such a cute book! It will keep your mom so busy that she’ll not have time to dress you up.
What a great book! Anything to get our humans away from dressing us up!!
That looks like a lovely book. It reminds our mum of when she was a small child. Her mum used to get a magazine each week that had 2 little girl cut outs with different cutout clothes to put on them. They were called Nora and Tilly and she didn’t know she still even remembered their names until she was typing it now.
THAT is ADORABLE Sparkle. I wont allow my mommy to dress me up so maybe this could get the urge outta her! xox
That looks like a fun book! We will bug our mom to go see the Sundays at the shelter bloggie. We always hope every kitty can find a nice forever home!
You are a very lucky & clever cat!
Sparkle, I like the way you think!
Well, we think you are an ESPECIALLY lucky cat…
We visit the cats on Sundays at the Shelter every Sunday – it is a lovely blog.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx