How Cats Say I Love you by Guy Brown

I stumbled upon this children’s book whilst browsing through new published books on cats. I was intrigued as to its content and so decided to contact the agent for Guy Brown, Violet Antonick at Platypus Media, to receive a copy to review.

I have a deep appreciation for books that skillfully aid children in comprehending the nature of cats, and this particular book excels at doing just that.

The illustrations, by Davide Ortu, add an adorable visual dimension to the text, encompassing various learning styles, and the context is presented in a manner that is easy to follow.

For this review, I had the delightful opportunity to interview Guy, and our conversation commenced with a query about who Guy Brown is and what occupies his days?

Tell us a little about yourself. Do you work full time as an author, or do you work in other fields too?

I work full-time as a broadcast meteorologist. I’m on-air in NYC every morning, Monday-Friday, delivering weather forecasts and preparing viewers for the latest weather conditions. I’m an author part-time, and I enjoy writing about anything intriguing to me. I usually write every other Saturday morning with a cup of coffee. I enjoy spending time outdoors in nature on a sunny day, playing tennis, golf, painting, and, of course, reading.

What gave you the idea for the book?

First, I wanted to branch out from writing about weather and meteorology. I had a new fixation with cats after I rescued a cat back in 2017. I didn’t know much about cats, and I wanted to learn as much as I could about my cat so that I could take care of her. I became curious about how cats saw the world. I was impressed by how agile cats can be. And my cat was witty, and I thought she was so funny. I just felt complete.  

How did you do your research for the book? 

Plenty of books and magazines. I went through a moment where I would read a book a week. Aggressive reading stemmed from solitude while I lived in Wisconsin. I would drive to Barnes and Noble on my days off from work and read, take notes, and do plenty of research. 

Did you have a hand in how you wanted the illustrations to look, and how did you meet Davide Ortu?

I knew I wanted the illustrations to be vibrant. I wanted to tap into the minds of the youngsters and show cats as fun pets. I envisioned colorful, kinetic illustrations, and I knew Davide could see my vision and he would really help these illustrations come alive. 

What did your friends and family think about the idea of this book?

My friends and family supported the project—especially my little nieces, who are cat owners. 

Do you have cats yourself? Tell us about them?

I used to have a cat, but I don’t anymore. I rescued a cat while living in Wyoming.  (My wife had health issues, and my cat is now with a family friend)

Have you spoken to children who have read the book, and what insight did they give you?

I usually get the most adorable responses like “Cats can’t talk,” or they erupt with a big smile. I see the curiosity spark up when they see the front cover. Sometimes, they don’t say anything, and they just hold the book close to their heart.

What is it about children’s minds that you like? What can we learn from them? 

I think we can learn so much about children. As adults, we constantly try to “please” our inner child. It’s because of our childhood that makes us the person we are today. The brain of a child can be malleable. What I mean by this is what a child focuses on will grow into adulthood, especially, when a child is young and sensitive to the world around them. I believe that the generation before should be responsible for paying it forward.

What do you personally love about cats?

 I love so many things about cats. The mind of a cat. The body language of a cat. Simply, cats just being cats motivated me to write this book. I wanted to expose all different children from many different backgrounds to cats, so they could feel the love that I felt. I love how curious cats are, their speed, and their ability to pounce and jump, and squeeze into narrow spaces. I could spend all day watching a cat.

What do you feel cats can teach us?

Cats can teach us to nourish. Cats can lead us to love unconditionally. But cats can also teach us to be open, and try new things. We all know the saying about how cats are curious. With this being said, ask why more if you’re interested in learning or discovering something new. 

Where can people get hold of your book?

Science Naturally or platypusmedia.com. Any online store should carry the book. Also The book is available on Amazon UK from March 5th and available now on Amazon US.

Anything else you would like to add?

My motive behind writing this book was to open those to cats who may not even thought about owning a pet cat.  Also, I am learning more about social interactions and communicating efficiently with others. This book also teaches children how to communicate whether with another individual or a pet. Communication should also be mutual, so it’s important to pay close attention.

Thank you very much Guy. I wish you well with your book.

In my assessment of “How Cats Say I Love You” by Guy Brown, I reached the conclusion that it is a fantastic children’s book adorned with delightful illustrations. The book not only sheds light on the unique language of our beloved pets but also provides valuable insights on how to fully appreciate their modes of communication. By understanding the nuances of how cats express various emotions, readers can enhance and deepen their relationship with these charming creatures. Overall, the book offers an engaging and informative experience, making it a wonderful addition to children’s literature on the subject of our feline friends.

About this author:

Anita Kelsey holds a first class honours degree in Feline Behaviour and Psychology (work based BA Hons) and runs a vet referral service dedicated strictly to the diagnosis and treatment of behaviour problems in cats. She is also a qualified cat groomer and specialises in grooming aggressive or phobic cats. Anita writes for Your Cat Magazine and is on their experts panel answering readers questions on cat grooming. She also advises on feline behaviour for the CFBA (Canine and Feline Behaviour) magazine as well as being a full member. Anita, a strong advocate of a vegan lifestyle, is based in London but consults all over the UK as well as international requests. She lives with her husband, a music producer, and two Norwegian Forest cats, Kiki and Zaza.

Her first book ‘Claws. Confessions Of A Professional Cat Groomer‘ was published by John Blake in 2017 with her second book, Let’s Talk About Cats released on Amazon US and UK 2020.