Welcome to another edition of
Weekly Readings!
Usually, Weekly Readings is when your lit. rat reviews a mix of picture books I’ve read here and there.
This week is a special edition of Weekly Readings, because we’re spotlighting two new voices in the fantastical fauna landscape who’ll be stopping by T.A.A. as part of their “Book Blasty Tour.”
Up to now, we’ve only reviewed picture books so far on T.A.A, but Weekly Readings is slowly expanding into middle grade (and some YA) novels, and we’re kicking that off right now-
The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets/The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals
(Stanley & Katrina Books 1 and 2)
by Stanley & Katrina (@StanleyNKatrina)
Illustrated by Miro Chun
Katrina von Cat, The Master of Wisdom and knowledge, is used to being the center of her universe, but since the arrival of scrappy dog Stanley, Katrina’s universe has been starkly realigned, and she’s not happy about it!
Throw in the, aspiring astronaut, quirky alien obsessed Guinea pig next door, “Mr. Fluffypants” (but rather you address him as Zorg), and you’ve got recipe for mayhem, misadventures, and Shenanigans that make the legendary “Tom and Jerry” look like bosom buddies.
(Though thankfully, neither Stan nor Katrina can wield branding irons, swords or anvils at each other [far as I know], as I’m pretty sure their pet insurance doesn’t cover pet on pet warfare…)
Given the pet-centric trappings of these books, I decided I needed to get the pet perspective, and who better than T.A.A. FM’s own canine-feline duo, Guido & Bonnie (@GuidoandBonnie) to share their thoughts on the books-
First up, I’ve got to say I’m the luckiest dog in the world, I’ve got a great home, stellar food, and I actually love hanging with my feline right-paw, Bonnie, and reading the funny and offbeat misadventures of Stanley and Katrina reminds of how lucky I am.
Stanley, I know you and Katrina have issues co-mingling, and I so get it. When Bonnie and I first met, we did not get along, either.
But we found ways to make it work, and I’ll share with you (and any other internet-savvy dogs out there) some tips on inter-species bonding-
1. Find ONE thing you like about your pet roomie
(and ask yourself why)
For me, I like that Bonnie keeps me grounded, but still lets me express my craziest (and sometimes brilliant) ideas.
Because we wouldn’t be in the pet advice/entertaining business had we not met, and Bonnie was hesitant to put herself out there after being burnt out in her short stint as a show cat in the pageant circuit.
Having gone through it yourself you know it’s not for everyone.
The best part about working on our upcoming show is that we work with our team, we don’t have to dress up if we don’t want to, and we can set our own hours and pace.
You might want to ask Taurean J. Watkins (who works with Bonnie and me) about working with T.A.A. (He’s a very accommodating director/producer, always on the lookout for talent, he works a bit slow, but it’s always worth the wait!) Okay, back to the tips-
2. When you have a fight, try to see it from their POV (Point of
view)
This is common trait among writers such as ourselves, but also makes sense in relationships, especially inter-species relationships.
Bonnie likes to be laid back and pragmatic.
Whereas I’m the take charge, balls to the wall, Go-Getter type!
While that definitely leads to disagreement, we also benefit from it.
Bonnie’s learned from me to be a little more daring, and I learned from her to be more methodical in my ambitions.
We learned from each other the best parts of our POVs which might otherwise really annoy us about each other to better our relationship.
You and Katrina can do that, too.
3. Meet Each Other Half Way
Even though Bonnie and me are friends now, we also have things about each other that still get our dander up (and for us pets with fur, that play on words is SERIOUS business!)
That’s why we best describe our friendship as B.F.F.Bs
(Meaning: Best Friends Forever with Boundaries)
Setting up boundaries is vital for ANY relationship. but especially with those we spend the most time working and/or living with.
Since Bonnie and I live AND work together, we make the effort to respect the others quirks and ticks (and NOT the kind we call 1-800-
PetMeds for, LOL!)
Bonnie likes to be as laid back and centered as possible, where I’m the happy-go-lucky, hyper-emotional type.
So when we both want to do something together, but can’t agree on how to do it, we meet halfway, so we each get a little of what we want. Hope those tips help you out, Stan (is it okay if I call you “Stan?”)
Like Guido said above, I too have a lot to be thankful for, my home, the great food, and my girl Andrea (the daughter of Guido’s human), and I’m equally thankful for Guido.
Katrina, I know living a dog can be vexing at times, and Guido and I do have our share of issues, but what makes our friendship work is that while we learned to enjoy being together, we need our time apart.
Often the hardest part about our friendship is that our (Same species) friends and family don’t get it.
My mom and Granny (my mom’s mom) are are très [very] Traditional when it comes to dogs.
They’re our sworn, genetic enemies and we must never submit to them! Whenever they come to visit us, Guido leaves the house howling in terror!
Keep in mind, this the same dog who once took a beating to protect yours truly from being catnapped by pet smugglers a few years back!
So he’s no coward, he just can’t stand the species bigotry comments my mom and Granny hiss out at Guido’s expense.
I know they had horrid experiences with dogs as kittens, but I wish they’d see Guido’s different.
You seem to share this view, Katrina, at least where Stanley’s concerned, but you do get on with this Henry, so perhaps you do see it can be on a canine by canine basis.
My kitty siblings and my dad are more accepting toward Guido.
By contrast, Guido’s doggy relations (outside his mother) have embraced me as one of their own, in fact, one his Guido’s brothers has a serious crush on me! (Secretly between us fellow felines, if he were a cat, I’d be so into him, but since he’s not, I don’t want to encourage him…)
Learn more about Stanley and Katrina at their OFFICIAL website: http://www.stanleyandkatrina.com
Also, don’t forget to subscribe to their YouTube Channel, where you can find their Paw-some “Word of the Week” video series, in fact your lit. rat did one with Guido and Bonnie-
Finally, check out the fan book trailer we made to help spread the Good Word on Stanley and Katrina’s books-
Oh ONE LAST THING: Stanley and Katrina
are having a Rafflecopter giveaway you can
enter below-
a Rafflecopter giveaway
That’s it for Weekly Readings. See you next time!
