ShortBookandScribes #BookReview – Belle Cat: Whiskers on my mat by Patricia Furstenberg #poetry

I’m reviewing Belle Cat: Whiskers on my Mat by Patricia Furstenberg today and it’s truly a delightful little read. My thanks to the author for the review copy.

When a stray cat, lost and hurt, is given a second chance she grabs it with all of her… paws!
Based on a true love story between a cat and her human, told with compassion and humor.
Insightful images of the real cat Belle are included to support this poem.
Additional fun, educational chapters:
“Did you know? Fun-tastic cat facts” – Interesting cat facts for young and old.
“Say what? What is a cat’s tail saying?” – Understand the secret language cats and kittens use by moving their tails
“How to… Tracking pet cats” – Just like the big cats, house cats leave footprints everywhere! Be a pet detective in your own back yard.
True story, pet rescue.

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Aww, Belle Cat is a really lovely little read. First up is a poem about the real Belle Cat, who was rescued and given the chance to live another of her nine lives. Against the odds she survived and was chosen to be adopted and the poem tells us about Belle, about how she keeps her owner’s bed warm, her purring, how she drinks milk. I use the word ‘owner’ but we all know cats don’t have owners, in fact they own us! Anyway, it’s obvious that Belle is very much loved and adored by her adoptive family.

Interspersed within the poem are the most beautiful black and white photographs of cats. I’m a cat lover and I loved to see these images alongside Furstenberg’s delightful prose. She absolutely captures a cat’s nature, how they are a bit aloof but enjoy tummy tickles and stroking when they feel like it. She also shows how much animals capture our hearts.

After the poem there’s a selection of lovely extras. We learn some great cat facts, what a cat’s tail is saying and how to track pet cats, all of which were a real treat to find at the end.

All in all, Belle Cat is a charming read about a gorgeous animal.


Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading. She always carries a notebook and a pen, although at times she jots down her ideas on the back of till slips or types them on her phone.

Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in humorous, child-friendly ideas while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her is an exhilarating need to write and… coffee: “How many cups have had this morning?” “None.” “Plus?” “Five cups.”

Between her books you can find the beloved Joyful TroubleThe Cheetah and the DogPuppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles.

She is a Huffington Post contributor and pens the Sunday Column for MyPuppyclub.net as well as dabbing in freelancing. After completing her Medical Degree in Romania she moved to South Africa where she now lives with her husband, children and their dogs.

Author Website

Pat’s books on Amazon UK / Amazon US / Amazon Canada

Pat on GoodreadsTwitterFacebookLinkedInPinterest.

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