Let’s be honest — most of us have bought at least one coffee table book purely for the pictures. (Guilty as charged.) But Cats of the World by Hannah Shaw is different. It’s one of those rare purr-fect finds that combines drool-worthy photographs, charming writing, and a deep pulse of genuine heart.
First, a fun fact you won’t see on the jacket flap: Hannah Shaw is the daughter of none other than Tommy Shaw — yes, that rock star from Styx. Turns out star power runs in the family, but so does raw talent. Hannah’s not just any celebrity’s kid cashing in on a famous name. She’s a bona-fide wordsmith. As a writer myself, I can confirm she’s got the chops: playful turns of phrase, well-paced stories, and a knack for bringing out the personalities of her feline subjects.
I stumbled on Cats of the World in a delightfully roundabout way. Last year, It flashed by on TV one afternoon, a teaser for a new book about global cats (and let’s be real, they had me at “cats”). Not long after, I met Hannah at a bookstore event. She was warm, funny, and exactly the sort of person you hope an animal advocate would be — someone who doesn’t just coo at kittens for the camera but rolls up her sleeves to rescue them.
And about that camera: the stunning photographs in this book are by her husband, who clearly knows his way around both a lens and a whiskered subject. Together, they’ve created more than a book — it’s a globe-trotting gallery of feline fabulousness. From scrappy market cats to sun-drenched porch loafers, every page is like a little passport stamp to another corner of the world, each paw print telling its own soft-footed story.
What I love most is that underneath the glorious shots and Hannah's kitten-claw sharp writing beats a very big heart. Hannah has dedicated her life to rescuing the tiniest, most vulnerable kittens. The ones most people overlook. The ones who need more than just food — they need someone to fight for them. That compassion radiates through every page.
So if you’re looking for a book that’s as easy on the eyes as it is good for the soul, snag a copy of Cats of the World. You’ll get dazzling photos, edgy and soulful writing, and maybe — just maybe — a little nudge to be kinder to the small creatures in your own orbit.
After all, rock stars come and go, but kindness? That’s truly legendary.
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