however, i thought the didactic elements in this one were a little forced - they weren't inserted as effortlessly as they were in Valley Cats. This book, like the first in the series, is full of both adventures and life lessons. (well, four - they find three orphaned kittens, which are distributed amongst the families, but one of those kittens - the calico - is never mentioned again, which made me sad because i do so love calicos.) This book introduces five new cats to the valley cat clan.

The delightful books are illustrated in watercolor pencils by Michigan artist Karin Neumann.Įmail: Email: liked this valley cat book slightly less than the first, but do keep in mind that i am reviewing this as an old childless lady and not as someone with any connection to its target audience. Gretchen Preston's Valley Cats books detail the adventures of Boonie and River, two cats from her Valley neighborhood.

Trained as a medical social worker, Gretchen frequently wrote newsletters and professional journal articles, and composed educational handbooks.Īfter retiring and moving to Michigan's beautiful and rugged Upper Peninsula, Gretchen began to write children's books, inspired by her Valley neighbors.ĭuring President Barack Obama's February 2011 trip to Marquette, Mich., he visited Donckers Candy store where the first book was purchased for his daughters. Gretchen attended the University of Oregon and went on to graduate school at Arizona State University where she earned a master's degree in social work. She fell in love with stories as a very young child. Her parents read to their children every night at bedtime. Gretchen Preston was raised in Portland, Oregon.

Valley Cats by Gretchen Preston