The CATS' MUSEUM - MOM’S CHOICE AWARDS® RECIPIENT!

THE CATS’ MUSEUM

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF CATS WORKING AT A MUSEUM ???

In this deluxe, oversized, collectible edition, we read how Catherine the Great, in 1766, recruited stray cats to protect her beloved Hermitage Museum from rodents. Generations later, to this day, cats are still working there, protecting the artwork and doing their zany mischief…tune in for a splash of fun!

This endearing and winsome tale features a cast of felines whose mild-mannered mischief will intrigue young readers and cat lovers of all ages. A touch of history is added to set the scene.

Lesson learned: "We try to obey, but cats will be cats!"

This spunky, historically-based book contains illustrations from the world-famous artist, Victoria Fomina. Victoria won an international award for the illustrations in this book. Publishers Weekly / Booklife and Kirkus have given THE CATS’ MUSEUM great reviews, and it has received the Mom’s Choice Award. 

Just for your info, this is a high-quality, deluxe, collectible, hardcover, oversized book (11” x 10.5”). This larger size makes the exquisitely-detailed illustrations even more fascinating and engaging.

Little Feather Press is becoming the go-to place for the parent who is hungry for wholesome and for better books. Happy reading!

Publishers Weekly Booklife writes:

Falleti’s ingenious picture book for young children introduces the real-life cats of Russia’s famous Hermitage Museum―and imagines the clandestine adventures they enjoy when no one is watching. Set in the eighteenth century, the story explains how Russian empress Catherine the Great was dismayed to discover a colony of rats in the basement of her beloved museum. To take care of the problem, she lures stray cats into the room, and over time 74 cats come to call the Hermitage home. Charmingly, Catherine is shown presenting the cats with an annual feast of caviar, fresh fish, cheese, and milk―and then she leaves them to devour the delicacies and fall asleep. But the cats, of course, have other plans. After enjoying their treats, they wander the museum at night, swinging from the chandeliers, chasing mice, and hosting a yearly dance recital amidst the great sculptures on display. The next morning, they leave no trace of their festivities, aside from one tiny costume, which Catherine discovers with great amusement. Cats by nature are mysterious and enigmatic, so it’s not too much of a stretch to think they might lead hidden lives. Kids will be delighted to share in the Hermitage cats’ secret. Victoria Fomina’s elegant illustrations are one of this book’s biggest strengths. Rich with imagination and detail, they show the cats both in real-world scenarios hunting rats and in endearing fantastical situations. One of the most memorable scenes has a line of cats performing a Russian folk dance in one of the museum’s stately hallways, each kitty with a unique traditional costume and glittering chandeliers hanging overhead. Each picture is fully realized and absorbing, creating a textured world of its own that will transport young readers to this historical location. Kids will want to revisit this charming tale and spend some time letting their own imaginations run wild.

Takeaway: Ingenious picture book imagines the secret adventures of Russia’s Hermitage cats.

Viviana Maria Falleti is an insightful, critically-acclaimed children's storyteller, and an aficionado of splendidly-illustrated, upscale, high-quality books. She created Little Feather Press for the people who are hungry for wholesome and better books for the children in their lives. The books have received great reviews from Publishers Weekly Booklife and Kirkus, and have all been recipients of the Mom’s Choice Award. 

Every Little Feather Press book contains stories that entertain in the magical world of a child’s mind and can be presented to a child with the assurance that the innocence and beauty of childhood are respected. The talented world-famous artists Viviana employs bring her wondrous books beautifully to life even more. 

At Little Feather Press, each book is made with outstanding artistry and skill. They are hardcover, oversized books with dust jackets, printed on the highest quality paper available. Some of her books have even been called masterpieces! Some have been chosen to be carried at the prestigious Rizzoli Bookstore in NYC.

Little Feather Press books are becoming widely recognized for their wholesomeness and classical lasting beauty. They have a timeless quality and an enduring appeal. They are sure to be treasured and reread many times. 

The critically-acclaimed books Viviana has authored include: The Cats’ Museum; The Happiest Christmas Tree Ever; King Avalanche The Great & Other Fantastic Cat Tales; The Circus of Cats in Venice; and Hello, My Name Is Lev. Some of her books have been internationally recognized and have won prestigious competitions.

• Mom’s Choice AwardWinner 2024
• Annual International Competition Image of the Book Award Winner 2024

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE REVIEW:

Falleti’s ingenious picture book for young children introduces the real-life cats of Russia’s famous Hermitage Museum—and imagines the clandestine adventures they enjoy when no one is watching. Set in the eighteenth century, the story explains how Russian empress Catherine the Great was dismayed to discover a colony of rats in the basement of her beloved museum. To take care of the problem, she lures stray cats into the room, and over time 74 cats come to call the Hermitage home. Charmingly, Catherine is shown presenting the cats with an annual feast of caviar, fresh fish, cheese, and milk—and then she leaves them to devour the delicacies and fall asleep.  

But the cats, of course, have other plans. After enjoying their treats, they wander the museum at night, swinging from the chandeliers, chasing mice, and hosting a yearly dance recital amidst the great sculptures on display. The next morning, they leave no trace of their festivities, aside from one tiny costume, which Catherine discovers with great amusement. Cats by nature are mysterious and enigmatic, so it’s not too much of a stretch to think they might lead hidden lives. Kids will be delighted to share in the Hermitage cats’ secret.

Victoria Fomina’s elegant illustrations are one of this book’s biggest strengths. Rich with imagination and detail, they show the cats both in real-world scenarios hunting rats and in endearing fantastical situations. One of the most memorable scenes has a line of cats performing a Russian folk dance in one of the museum’s stately hallways, each kitty with a unique traditional costume and glittering chandeliers hanging overhead. Each picture is fully realized and absorbing, creating a textured world of its own that will transport young readers to this historical location. Kids will want to revisit this charming tale and spend some time letting their own imaginations run wild.

Takeaway: Ingenious picture book imagines the secret adventures of Russia’s Hermitage cats.

The Cats’ Museum is a lovely picture book illustrated by Victoria Fomina which bridges the gaps between art, history and children’s literature. 

The tale opens in 1729, when Catherine the Great moves from Germany to Russia, collects art and builds the famous Hermitage Museum. She faces a crisis when she uncovers a large rat population that threatens the art.

What to do?

Three “interesting-looking” cats, who just so happen to be walking by, are lured into the museum’s basement by Catherine. She is delighted to find them busying themselves right away chasing out the rodents!

Viviana Falleti builds her engaging story with a closer look at how the cats prepare for their yearly dance recital, to celebrate their successes. The magnificent museum serves as the backdrop for a jubilant festival for the cats.

Gorgeous color illustrations adorn this gentle fantasy that is engaging, lively, and hard to put down. The Cats’ Museum is highly recommended both for libraries and for home collections. This book is worthy of long-time, repeat enjoyment.

Diane Donovan

Editor, Donovan's Literary Services

The Cats’ Museum is a lovely picture book illustrated by Victoria Fomina which bridges the gaps between art, history and children’s literature. 

The tale opens in 1729, when Catherine the Great moves from Germany to Russia, collects art and builds the famous Hermitage Museum. She faces a crisis when she uncovers a large rat population that threatens the art.

What to do?

Three “interesting-looking” cats, who just so happen to be walking by, are lured into the museum’s basement by Catherine. She is delighted to find them busying themselves right away chasing out the rodents!

Viviana Falleti builds her engaging story with a closer look at how the cats prepare for their yearly dance recital, to celebrate their successes. The magnificent museum serves as the backdrop for a jubilant festival for the cats.

Gorgeous color illustrations adorn this gentle fantasy that is engaging, lively, and hard to put down. The Cats’ Museum is highly recommended both for libraries and for home collections. This book is worthy of long-time, repeat enjoyment.

Diane Donovan

Editor, Donovan's Literary Services