by Jackie Dale

This week we have the pleasure of reviewing The Little Marmalady, a children’s book about a special cat named Marmalady who was rescued thanks to Cat House On The Kings. We also interviewed the author Kerry Bashir & you can enter to win a copy of the book–details at the end of this post.

The Little Marmalady by Kerry Bashir:

The Little Marmalady is a whimsical, yet poignant story of a tiny, stray orange kitten’s journey from death’s door to living a life of privilege. Marmalady’s story is written in an easy to read, kid-friendly style that is sure to delight cat-loving readers of all ages.

“I’m about two months old and I don’t remember much about my life before the accident. One warm spring day I was walking around looking for some water to drink. I was so thirsty! I must have walked to close to the street and I was hit by a car. I was dazed and hurting so much! I was terrified! I tried to get up but I couldn’t move! I didn’t know what to do!” excerpt from The Little Marmalady

Kerry Bashir did a spectacular job creating a story that draws the reader into the world as seen through the eyes of Marmalady. Marmalady’s gigantic green eyes combined with her charming, perpetual smile have launched her into Facebook stardom. The story of The Little Marmalady will draw you in and tug at your heartstrings. You will be captivated by the sheer tenacity of this tiny little kitten’s will to live and her capacity to love despite her misfortunes. The book’s illustrations are simplistic and completely adorable. I read the book twice and both times, I cried.

Author Kerry Bashir, has been a lover of books and cats her whole life. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her two cats, Gucci and Chanel. Though based on fact, the book is written as a combination of fact and fiction.

Interview With Kerry Bashir:

KRL: How did you find out about the Cat House on the Kings?

Kerry: In 2006 I divorced and in 2008 my son joined the Navy and I found myself living alone. In January of 2010 I moved to a new apartment and began to think about getting a pet. It had been a long while since I had lived in an apartment where I could have a pet. In July 2011 I became the very proud mother of a 4-week-old Maine Coon male, Gucci. I had always deeply loved my pets in the past but the bond and the love I have for this beautiful, naughty boy is beyond any I have felt before. This brought about my liking some sites on Facebook that featured cats, where I discovered the Cat House on the Kings and the postings of Marmalady while Tammy Barker was fostering her. What can I say, she was adorable and I was smitten!

Kerry's cat Gucci

KRL: What made you decide to write a book about a cat you had never even seen before?

Kerry: Marmalady really did touch me so deeply. I think it was sweet innocent little face and the thought that her first weeks of life had been so rough. It really does my heart good to see how healthy and beautiful she is now. It shows what love and dedication can do! I am amazed at how many lives the Cat House on the Kings has saved and changed for the better. These babies really enrich the lives of all they touch just like the kids do!

KRL: What motivated you to get started on this project?

Kerry: I know that the cost of caring for an animal can be very expensive and I wanted to do something to help fund this care so that many more animals can be saved. I was working on another book at this time, but decided I would give writing a children’s book a try. I contacted Tammy Barker with my idea. She was very helpful and supportive throughout the entire process.

Marmalady

I know that I would be devastated if I lost my Gucci or Chanel. I know there are so many pet parents that feel the same way but simply can’t afford some of the very costly veterinary care they need. If I can help in some small way, I will feel blessed to have had that opportunity.

KRL: Do you have a “day job”?

Kerry: I have been a school bus driver for several years and am currently working with children who are either autistic or have Downs’ Syndrome I have found them to be very creative and some of them love to read and would love to write, but feel they could not do it well enough. That is why you will see many mistakes in my book. I wanted them to see that everything didn’t have to be perfect. I hope to do a book with them in the near future. One of the boys has some very good drawing skills and I also hope to feature some of his work. I care very deeply about the children I drive and have driven. You really form a very special and protective bond with these little ones that lasts forever. Once they have your heart there’s no getting it back!

Kerry's cat Chanel

KRL: What message are you trying to convey with your book?

Kerry: I wanted people to know that “special” animals make wonderful pets and should never be overlooked when adopting a pet. In fact, I think that “special” pets are similar to “special” children in the joy they bring to a home and family with their wonderful spirit and the pure joy they feel when shown love and attention. It is inspirational to see the accomplishments they make in spite of their disabilities. It gives anyone who knows them hope.

I am also extremely impressed with all that the Cat House on the Kings is doing for the cats in their care. I want as many people as possible to be aware of what can be done for animals when you have the right people doing it! It is my dream to set up a fund that can help pay for the type of care that Marmalady received.

KRL: Will you be writing more books in the future?

Kerry: I plan to continue writing books about special animals and special children. It is my ambition to make more people aware of the pet insurances that are available at a very reasonable cost. I would also like to see some of the deposits for pet owners in this area be lowered so that more families who would make great pet parents can afford the deposit and the proper care for their pets. I am currently working on a couple of other projects that I hope will contribute to raising more funds for this cause and plan to start my next book very soon. I am currently working on a book based on my experiences as an American wife in a Pakistani, Muslim family. It will be filled with humor, deceit and just how much culture affects our expectations of each other more than the reality of each person being guided by their own ideas and beliefs. I hope to have it completed by this summer.

Order the Little Marmalady from PublishAmerica. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Cat House on the Kings.

You can find many more pet and animal rescue related articles here in KRL in our Pet Perspective section.

To enter to win a copy of The Little Marmalady, simply email KRL at life@kingsriverlife[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Marmalady”, or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 9, 2013. U.S. residents only.

Jackie Dale is a freelance writer who lives in Reedley with her husband of 21 years, Frank, and their 2 children. Jackie currently writes for Traffic Magazine and for The Cat House on the Kings Feline Rescue. A former ballerina, Jackie now teaches yoga and fitness classes privately and at local area gyms.

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