I rarely review non-cat books, but Do Unto Animals by former veterinary technician, animal advocate, and wife of comedian and former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, is such a perfect fit for what Catster is all about that I want to share it with you. After all, most cat lovers care about all living beings on earth, not just cats.
Stewart, who spent her 20s and 30s working in a series of safe but boring jobs, followed her heart and became a veterinary technician. During her large animal rotation in the veterinary technology program, she fell in love with farm animals, which led her to announce that she and Jon will open their own farm sanctuary.
Stewart lives in New Jersey with Jon and their two children, four dogs, two pigs, one hamster, three rabbits, two guinea pigs, one parrot, and two fish. There are no cats in this lineup because Tracey is allergic, but the book features some great information (and beautiful illustrations) about cats.
Stewart believes, and I wholeheartedly agree with her, that the more we know about animals, the better we can care for them and make their world, and in turn, our world, better. In Do Unto Animals, she provides insight into the lives of domestic animals, farm animals, and the wildlife in our backyards and parks.
From explaining how to speak cat or dog to why animals we consider backyard pests provide essential services to our ecosystem, Stewart makes you fall in love with animals you may not necessarily have thought of as lovable. She shares her knowledge in an often humorous and sometimes self-deprecating way that makes reading her book entertaining as well as educational.
In addition to teaching us how to make animals’ lives better, she also shares wonderfully creative craft projects, such as how to make a birdfeeder from a plastic bottle and a few wooden cooking spoons, how to craft catnip sea creatures, and how to build a bee house for your backyard.
In addition to providing a wealth of information for even seasoned animal lovers, the book is a work of art. The illustrations by Lisl Ashlock not only capture the spirit of each animal but also feature so much detail. Each drawing is a meditation on what makes each animal special.
As part memoir, part practical guide, and part celebration of how a life of compassion makes the world a better place, Do Unto Animals is never preachy or heavy-handed. It will make you love animals even more than you already do and challenge you to become even more compassionate toward all life on this planet. This delightful book is a must-read for all animal lovers and makes a wonderful holiday gift.
Do Unto Animals is available from Amazon*, and everywhere books are sold.
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. All reviews on this site will always reflect my honest and unbiased opinion.
