Extra! Extra!

Neil Gaiman Presents Our Evelyn Evelyn Book Trailer

2011-09-03T09:30:00.001-04:00

Mark Twain Adored Cats - Cynthia von Buhler Exhibit at The Mark Twain House and Museum

2011-04-04T01:18:00.018-04:00

Did you know that Mark Twain loved cats? His cats had fantastic names like Pestilence, Satan, Sin, and Famine.
Fans of Cynthia von Buhler's children's book sets and characters will be able to see her work in person once again. This time they will be on exhibit at The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, CT. We will post more information soon.

Above: Cynthia von Buhler has exhibited her sets at The Nassau County Museum of Art (Long Island, NY), The Staten Island Museum of Art (Staten Island, NY), The Society of Illustrator's Museum (NY, NY), The Carrozzini von Buhler Gallery (NY, NY), and Books of Wonder (NY, NY).
A drawing by Mark Twain titled "Morning Song."
A painting which hangs in Mark Twain's home.
Mark Twain's home in Hartford, CT.

Fairy Tales (with a Twist!) at Portland Stage

2011-02-22T16:27:00.004-05:00

But Who Will Bell the Cats? will be presented as part of Portland Stage's Theater for Kids on April 23rd at 10:30.

Once upon a time...they all lived happily ever after. Or did they? Join Theater for Kids as we explore the realm of twisted fairy tales and fractured fables. Watch our professional actors turn traditions upside down during the readings, then work on your own fairy tale reinvention during an interactive workshop!

April 2 - The Amazing Bone by William Steig
April 9 - Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson
April 23 - But Who Will Bell the Cats? by Cynthia von Buhler
April 30 - The Frog Prince Continued by Jon Scieszka

Theater workshop series starts Saturday April 2nd at 10:30 AM. Sign up your child for the whole series of 5 readings + workshops or choose your favorite, $60 for the series or $15 each. Click here for a registration form, email theaterforkids@portlandstage.org or call 207-774-1043 x117 with questions or to sign up.

Click here for Portland Stage's Theater for Kids website.

I Had A Marvelous Party

2010-12-08T23:02:00.010-05:00

Elizabeth Bird, New York public librarian and blogger extraordinaire, was a guest at my birthday party. She blogged about it on the School Library Journal website.Elizabeth Bird rides the rooftop Merry-Go-Round at my party.
From "I've Been To A Marvelous Party" by Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal, 10/12/10:

That was Party #1. I have begun with the low-key party because I feel that if I began with Party #2 you would be disinclined to believe me about it. Here is a taste of what I am talking about:
Lemony Snicket rides the rooftop Merry-Go-Round at my party.
Do you know what you are looking at? Alas, you do not. It is a dark picture and I’ve found that Android phones don’t quite match iPhones in terms of picture quality. Well in any case you are looking at Daniel Handler a.k.a. Lemony Snicket on the roof of a penthouse, sitting on a merry-go-round built for two (complete with animatronic monkeys and a bubble machine) as he merrily sings in the shadow of The Empire State Building. THAT is what you are looking at.

You see, I have over the years made the acquaintance of a very fine, very fascinating, very interesting young lady. She is known as Cynthia von Buhler, and you may know her best as the mad genius behind the intense picture book But Who Will Bell the Cats? which came out a year or so ago. A performance artist, artist artist, and friend of the wandering musician, Ms. von Buhler was kind enough to invite me to her recent FREAKS party. The thing is, if I tell you what went on it’s best that I mention everything seen in a list. That way it’s a bit more manageable.

Continue to read this article HERE.

Life Imitating Art

2010-08-04T18:55:00.002-04:00

Last night my cats caught a bat. I rescued it and it flew out a window. It had a little hole in one wing, but it seemed to be flying well. This is a perfect example of life imitating art. See my display window at Books of Wonder which features cats trying to catch bats.8

Kids Bring an Aesop Fable to Life With Dioramas - DNAinfo.com

2010-08-01T21:43:00.003-04:00

Click HERE to watch the slideshow.

A Video of my Books of Wonder Animatronic Window Display

2010-07-08T13:16:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Carl Divito for shooting this video and placing it on YouTube.

July Issue: Time Out NY Kids Feature on Cynthia von Buhler - Written by Elizabeth Bird

2010-06-21T13:35:00.009-04:00

Cat fancy
An artist brings her latest feline-centric story to life at Books of Wonder.

Note: The slideshow is now up on the Time Out Kids website. See it HERE.

Called “one of the top contemporary surrealists” by Art & Antiques magazine, Cynthia von Buhler boasts a résumé that includes painting, sculpture, performance and video projection, for which she uses materials and media such as living fauna, collage, and electronic audio. Her art has been published everywhere from The New Yorker to Rolling Stone, but she’s also become renowned for her children’s books.

After working on titles for other authors, beginning with 1998’s Little Girl in a Red Dress with Cat and Dog, Von Buhler—who lives in a castle-like home on Staten Island—has gone on to write and illustrate her own stories. The first, The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside (Houghton Mifflin, 2006), was based on the artist’s encounter with a stray; she created the scenes by photographing dioramas in her childhood dollhouse.

For her next book, But Who Will Bell the Cats? (Houghton Mifflin, 2009), a riff on Aesop’s fable, Von Buhler acted as set builder, painter, sculptor, gardener, plumber and mason. An elaborate concoction of sumptuous interiors photographed in a model castle, the book is impressive in every detail, from the chateau’s real stone walls to the floors she crafted from inlaid wood, mother-of-pearl and plaster.

City kids can visit the world of Bell the Cats this summer, when Von Buhler re-creates the story in Books of Wonder’s storefront, using sets that appear in the book.
Life-size animated characters from the tale, among them a kitty maid in Alice-in-Wonderland garb, will play with the paper dolls and furniture—like children decorating a dollhouse.

DIY types have a chance to work with the artist on their own mini sets. The rest of us can consider the display a summertime version of NYC’s opulent holiday windows—and there’s no reason such a glorious tradition should be confined to the winter.
Books of Wonder, 18 W 18 St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-989-3270, booksofwonder.com). Display will be on view July1–Aug 30. - EB

See the Time Out NY Kids article HERE. Coming soon: Pictures and a video of the actual window display.

Cynthia von Buhler Presents an Animated Window Display & Dollhouse Diorama Workshop at Manhattan’s Books of Wonder.

2010-05-25T00:05:00.005-04:00

Meet Cynthia, get your books signed, and have your picture taken
with characters from the book.

Children’s book author and illustrator Cynthia von Buhler is creating an animated window display featuring handmade sets and painted characters from her children’s book But Who Will Bell the Cats? for Books of Wonder bookstore in Manhattan. The elaborate window will be on display from July 1 through August 30, 2010.

Dollhouse Diorama and Paper Doll Workshops – Free (with book purchase)!
Sunday, July 25, 2010 from 12 NOON – 2PM.
Monday, July 26, 2010 from 12 NOON – 2PM
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 from 6PM – 8PM

Come to Books of Wonder and learn to how to make a dollhouse room from a shoebox. Cynthia von Buhler’s characters and castle rooms will be available as pre-printed full-color sheets for children to cut out and make into their own dollhouse diorama. Please bring a standard shoebox with you to the workshop. The author/illustrator will also be signing books. Characters from But Who Will Bell the Cats will make an appearance at the events and will give away free bells on ribbon for children to wear around their necks (as supplies last).

The workshop is free for anyone who purchases Cynthia von Buhler’s books, But Who Will Bell the Cats? or The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside, from Books of Wonder the day of the event(s). Space is limited. Please R.S.V.P. by emailing hannah@drawbridge.com. The events are limited to 30 children per day. Children are required to bring a shoebox and a parent or guardian to assist them. Books of Wonder, 18 West 18th Street, NY, NY, 10011, (212)989-3270, www.booksofwonder.com
Recent reviews from But Who Will Bell the Cats?
My library’s secret weapon from here on in…Beautiful and haunting with the kinds of images kids will pore over." - Betsy Bird, Children's Librarian at The New York Public Library

"Destined to earn the ‘classic’ label." - Urban Baby

"this story of an indefatigable mouse should find a welcome place on the shelves of any castle...or library."- Horn Book

"Children will find a lot to discover in the details, even after repeated readings". - School Library Journal

“Young readers will pore over this one again and again." – Kirkus

Trailer for But Who Will Bell the Cats?

2010-03-22T16:45:00.001-04:00

Click HERE to go to YouTube to watch it. Blogger seems to want to cut it off on the right.

PlanetEsme: "Dramatic in story and distinctive in style, this book is a stand-out."

2009-12-26T17:48:00.005-05:00

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This original and haunting treatment of Aesop's fable is really two simultaneous stories that converge at rhythmic intervals, like a well-choreographed quadrille. Double-page spreads with upper and lower levels reveal the cats roaming a castle while a mouse lives in squalor. After a series of failed attempts by Mouse and his friend Bat, the resident princess shows them a kindness, inspiring the clever mouse to use the princess's birthday as the perfect diplomatic opportunity to bell the cats once and for all. A unique technique of placing illustrated cut-outs in sets of actual miniatures and then photographing them creates scenes of surprising depth and perspective. Dramatic in story and distinctive in style, this book is a stand-out. (7 and up) - Esme Codell, PlanetEsme Blog

Curled Up With A Good Kid's Book - "This is a book to buy and read over and over again."

2009-12-26T17:43:00.004-05:00

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Cynthia Von Buhler provides a clever and witty take on the age-old question from Aesop’s fables - “But who will bell the cats?” - in the book of the same name.

In a dark, beautiful castle high upon a hill lives a princess with her eight pampered and not-so-nice cats; in the dingy cellar below live Mouse and his dear friend Brown Bat. While the cats dine at banquets and sleep in soft, perfumed beds, Mouse and Brown Bat make do with crumbs that fall through the floorboard and makeshift beds devised from matchboxes and smelly old socks. Some of the pages show the contrasting lives of the denizens of the upstairs and that of the cellar in two split images, which makes for an interesting and even amusing counterpoint.

Mouse is determined to make his way upstairs to avail himself of the luxurious life enjoyed by the cats. To do that, he must attach bells around the cats’ collars to serve as a warning of their proximity. This proves to be a perilous task (requiring frequent rescuing by Brown Bat) until Mouse finally hits upon an ingenious way to bell the cats.

Von Buhler has created an elegant, richly textured and detailed rendering of the interior of the castle. The unusual depth and layering to the artwork was achieved by creating original 3-D sets that were populated with paper cutout figures and photographed to achieve the desired visual effect. The multimedia collage art, edged in gilt and crafted with incredible attention to detail, makes for a strikingly gorgeous fairy tale book. The simple text does its job - which is to say, to move the story forward while not detracting from the artwork that is the real star here.

No detail is missed in the making of this book: in case the dust jacket gets lost or mangled as often happens with children’s books, the inside cover of the book features beautiful art so that the book can be displayed even without the dust jacket. This is a book to buy and read over and over again. - Curled Up With A Good Kid's Book

Cynthia von Buhler Signs With Eddie Gamarra & Hollywood Management Agency, The Gotham Group

2009-12-14T13:01:00.003-05:00

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The author and artist plans to create concepts for animated films and children's television programs.

Cynthia von Buhler created this snow globe featuring characters from her children's book But Who Will Bell the Cats? for The Gotham Group's holiday card. The city in the background is their logo.

But Who Will Bell the Cats? Is Nominated For A Cybil Award, 2009

2009-12-14T12:52:00.004-05:00

The book is nominated in the Fiction Picture Books category. Visit the Cybil's site for more information.

Grand Rapids Living: "Truly the cat’s meow."

2009-12-14T01:40:00.009-05:00

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Royal cats no match for clever mouse in 'But Who Will Bell the Cats?'

“But Who Will Bell the Cats?” written and illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler, is truly the cat’s meow and my idea of a fantastic picture book. (Houghton Mifflin, $16, ages 4-9)

Everything is here — exciting art, an engaging story, even a happy ending. Based on Aesop’s fables, this is a story of cats and mice, of have and have-nots and of a clever, determined mouse that solves an age-old problem.

The tale begins with the princess and her eight pampered cats living upstairs in style, taking bubble baths and sleeping on perfumed pillows, while Mouse and his friend Brown Bat live in the dingy downstairs fending for themselves. Mouse wants more; he wants to live the good life with the cats.

Mouse figures he needs to find a way to put a collar of bells around the royal cats, so he can be easily warned when his greatest enemy approaches.

Readers see a palace split into two worlds — upstairs and downstairs. A little storybook magic, combined with three-dimensional scenes, capture imaginations.

Kids will enjoy discovering how Mouse figures out a creative plan that work. - Gina Gilligan Read the article HERE: HERE.

Toledo Blade: "Her use of detail is amazing. A delightful experience!"

2009-12-14T01:33:00.004-05:00

Kids books: Magic for the holidays and everyday

Count on these books to be welcome holiday gifts that will last long past their giving. Memorable characters, original plots, and vivid settings make these books fine choices.

The story is based on Aesop's familiar fable: who will bell the cats? The illustrations, however, are unique. In the dark basement of the castle, Mouse and his friend Brown Bat exist on leftover crumbs. Upstairs the Princess and her cats enjoy lavish meals. Mouse is convinced that the roles would be reversed if only the cats had bells on their collars. Finally he comes up with the perfect solution. The illustrations were constructed by hand as theater sets. Cynthia von Buhler's work has been displayed in several museums. Her use of detail is amazing. A delightful experience! (BSJ) Read the full article HERE.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast: "This is one stylin’ book, and it’s like nothing I’ve seen this year."

2009-12-07T02:25:00.007-05:00

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This is author/illustrator Cynthia von Buhler’s self-portrait-slash-doll. I invited Cynthia to 7-Imp this morning to share some art from her latest title, the downright luxurious But Who Will Bell the Cats? (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; September 2009). This title has been met with such lavish reviews as: “Dark, complicated mixed-media illustrations bring a humorously creepy feel to the tale…this story of an indefatigable mouse should find a welcome place on the shelves of any castle…or library” (Horn Book); “Children will find a lot to discover in the details, even after repeated readings” (School Library Journal); “Beautiful and haunting with the kinds of images kids will pore over, there ain’t nothing like it out there today. A new fable in an all-new style” (Betsy Bird at A Fuse #8 Production); “Young readers will pore over this one again and again” (Kirkus)…Oh, I could go on.

You all know the old Aesop fable, The Mice in Council, about the discussion of belling the cat by those poor mice. Cynthia has embellished this tale with inimitable style, rendered in detailed multimedia collage, adding a stately castle, a princess, an impoverished mouse and his sidekick friend, the Bat, and much more to the tale.

Including gilt. Lots of it. “(W)ouldn’t it be nice to give a princess-obsessed child something gorgeous to the eye with a truly original concept, story, and look, but without the standard pretty pretty princess conceit?” wrote Betsy Bird. Enter Cynthia. This is one stylin’ book, and it’s like nothing I’ve seen this year.

I’ve gotten to where I don’t even like to post about picture books anymore unless I can in some way show some art from it. The added extra benefit of that is I can shut my trap and let the art speak for itself. Or, in this morning’s case, let the artist, as well, tell you in her own words all about the book — and her creative process in bringing it to us. So, without further ado, here’s Cynthia, and I thank her for visiting. - Jules, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Read the whole article HERE.

Kirkus Reviews: "Young readers will pore over this one again and again."

2009-11-09T00:40:00.000-05:00

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August, 2009:

Following a retelling of the Aesop fable, Von Buhler embellishes the tale with a luxurious castle, a princess, some pampered cats and an inventive, brave mouse with a faithful bat friend. The poor mouse lives in a dark basement, cold and hungry, surviving on the crumbs that fall through the floorboards. He has grandiose schemes to bell the cats, involving elaborate costumes. Of course he is spotted each time and subjected to much humiliation by the cats. The Princess’s unexpected kindness inspires the mouse’s final, successful plan. It’s an upstairs-downstairs scenario carried through in every way, the spreads frequently split in two horizontally to show the contrast. The typeface is appropriate to the location, heavy and bright in the Princess’s rooms, while thin and pale in the mouse’s quarters. The action is richly illustrated in profusely detailed multimedia collage, framed in ornate gilt, which again emphasizes the differences in the lifestyles of the characters. The upstairs scenes glow in lavish, bright gold tones, and the downstairs scenes are dark and gloomy. Young readers will pore over this one again and again. (Picture book. 5-8) - Kirkus Reviews

A Fuse #8 Production: "My library’s secret weapon from here on in"..."Beautiful and haunting with the kinds of images kids will pore over."

2009-11-09T00:31:00.003-05:00

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What’s wrong with a little gilt? A little jewelry, fanciness, lace, velvet, and champagne? Nothing, really. It just depends on how it’s done. I get these little girls in my library all the time requesting “princess” stories, and truth be told what they really want is something gorgeous to the eye. They’re the kinds of gals who drool over the Fancy Nancy books and sit hypnotized by the work of Kinuko Y Craft. Sometimes it’s enough to drive a good old-fashioned feminist up the wall. Not like I was any different when I was a tot, but wouldn’t it be nice to give a princess-obsessed child something gorgeous to the eye with a truly original concept, story, and look, but without the standard pretty pretty princess conceit? Is it wrong that I sometimes want to blow a four-year-old’s mind? I’ve come to the decision that Cynthia von Buhler’s But Who Will Bell the Cats? is going to be my library’s secret weapon from here on in. I’ve already got my explanation at the ready. “Oh! You want a princess story? Have you read the one about the princess who owns eight beautiful cats and the little mouse who lives in the basement below?” It’s the old one-two punch. Lure ‘em in with promises of princesses and kitties, then hit ‘em with good storytelling and stunning visuals. They’ll never see it coming.
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The book begins with a quickie two-page recap of the old Aesop fable in which the mice decide to bell the cat. A couple pages later we read the real story. For you see there once was a princess who owned eight beautiful cats and doted on them all. Down below in her cellar there lived a mouse and a brown bat. While the cats lived in luxury the mouse and bat dwelled in the dank. The mouse then determines that his only course of action is to bell the cats and live in the prettier parts of the castle with them. The first time he tries it he wears armor. He fails. The second time he dresses up like a dog. He fails. The third time he puts on a fashion show for the cats and almost ends up in a pie before the princess walks in and saves both him and the bat. Finally, the mouse determines the best way to bell the cats. One that will allow him to attend the princess’s birthday party and live in the lap of luxury once and for all. And it's all thanks to his crown-wearing partner in crime. Click on the image to enlarge it.

From the title, a person might assume that this book was just going to be a longer interpretation of the old Aesop fable. After all, 2009 has seen several Aesop fables expanded into full-length picture books (The Lion and the Mouse, Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes, etc.). It actually came as a bit of a relief to find that von Buhler had gone a different route and just used the fable as a jumping off point. The story is original and suits the visual format quite well. As for the writing itself, the words play with descriptions nicely. The mouse inhabits a world filled with terms like “dark, dingy den” or “chilly chamber” or “drafty” or “damp”. The cats, in a nice contrast, bandy about with words like “elegant” or “perfumed”. If you were to read this book aloud to a room full of kids without showing them the pictures, they would have little difficulty envisioning where it takes place. I doubt that they’d imagine anything quite as visually stimulating as what von Buhler has conjured up here, though.

Combining illustration and models to tell folk and fairytales isn’t a new concept (Lauren Child’s The Princess and the Pea being but one example) but von Buhler clearly takes the notion to a whole other level. Characters in each scene are illustrated two-dimensional figures placed in a three-dimensional world of models and objects. Shooting each scene with her Nikon D300, von Buhler manages to persuade the eyes of her readers that these creatures really have a kind of depth to them. Her choice of layouts also reveals the thought taken for each spread. Where folks like Child will fill entire pages in a book with a single scene, von Buhler likes to shake things up a little. In comparing the cats’ lives to the mouse’s, pages are split into two parts with the cats at the top and the mouse squished into the lower third. Views of individual scenes are sometimes shot from the front and sometimes from above (as when the bat has to distract some Ping-Pong playing cats with a straw hat and cane accessorized song and dance). And the lighting both above and below is remarkable. There’s a tangible warmth to the palace scenes, while you can practically smell the cold stone and musty wet walls where the mouse and bat are forced to reside.
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The attention to detail goes beyond the sets, of course. Clothing also plays a surprising role in the story. The very first two-page spread is a quickie encapsulation of the old Aesop tale this book takes its title from. In the scene, the mice are depicted as wearing clothing reminiscent of ancient Greece (albeit with fancy pearls). Then you fast forward in time and see the outfits of the mouse and the cats. Since the felines are living off the fat of the land they’re prone to sporting everything from top hats and crowns to preppy hockey wear. The mouse, on the other hand, tends to be garbed in drabber utilitarian fare. Patched sweaters and thick green scarves. And then there are the fonts. Nobody ever pays enough attention to fonts in picture books, but von Buhler sure does. When the text is in the light and airy castle it’s set in the extravagant and fancy Salmiak. Down below where the mouse and bat dwell, though, it suddenly becomes the almost handwritten First Grade.

Scale is a little difficult to determine here. The princess appears to be approximately the same size as the cats while the mouse and bat aren’t much shorter, though supposedly they should be small enough to be used as hockey pucks and ping pong balls by the cats. So that was a bit confusing. More sense could be made of the shadows in individual scenes. As a general rule, von Buhler pays close attention to the source of the light in any given scene. For example, when the mouse and bat are discussing various plans in the basement, their light comes from a single candle on a nearby workbench. In these scenes, shadows appear sharply on the dank stone walls. When scenes take place in the slightly more ambient light above in the palace, however, then the shadows dissipate with more frequency.

Once in a while a consumer needs a kick in the pants to remind them that picture books aren’t something “easy” than any old celebrity with a pen can write. Some of them take a backbreakingly long time to create and use up more blood, sweat, and tears than anyone might conceivably imagine. It’s only through true dedication on the part of the artist that you get something as visually inspiring as But Who Will Bell the Cats? Beautiful and haunting with the kinds of images kids will pore over, there ain’t nothing like it out there today. A new fable in an all-new style. - Elizabeth Bird, Children's Librarian, The New York Public Library, New York City and blogger for For A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal, and Publisher's Weekly.

Horn Book: "this story of an indefatigable mouse should find a welcome place on the shelves of any castle...or library."

2009-11-09T00:29:00.001-05:00

September/October issue:

Von Buhler’s droll upstairs/downstairs tale is introduced by the Aesop’s fable on the value of belling a cat—and the danger to the mouse who dared do it. Here the mouse hero and his brown bat friend live in the cellar of a castle, while the princess and her eight pampered cats live a life of opulence upstairs. The cats have plenty to eat, safe places to sleep, books to read, and fancy parties to attend; Mouse and Brown Bat live on scraps, sleep in boxes, and bathe under a drainpipe. But Mouse is not without wiles. He is constantly scheming to put bells around the cats’ necks so they can be detected, leaving Mouse and Brown Bat free to enjoy the splendors of the castle. Mouse’s many plans fall flat until he finally figures out how to use the sweet princess to do his work. Dark, complicated mixed-media illustrations bring a humorously creepy feel to the tale. A fancy typeface for the upstairs story contrasts nicely with the pseudo-handwritten type accompanying Mouse’s story...this story of an indefatigable mouse should find a welcome place on the shelves of any castle...or library. - r.l.s. Horn Book

School Library Journal - "Children will find a lot to discover in the details, even after repeated readings".

2009-11-09T00:27:00.000-05:00

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In solving the Aesop riddle, von Buhler creates a lavish castle complete with handmade rooms, highly decorated backgrounds, and characters formed as cutout paper dolls...The back jacket flap details von Buhler’s production of her illustrations. As the story begins, a two-tiered, upstairs-downstairs setting finds Princess and her eight spoiled cats enjoying luxurious lives in contrast to the humdrum basement surroundings of Mouse and his friend Brown Bat. Determined to share some of that good life, Mouse devises a number of schemes to bell the felines, only to be outwitted (and needing rescue from Brown Bat) at every turn. After learning that Princess is about to celebrate her birthday with a party, Mouse finally, and cleverly, concocts a way to accomplish his mission; with the cats belled, the final page finds the duo indulging in an array of gooey birthday treats. This tale will work well in conjunction with Aesop’s original fable, which conveniently prefaces the story. Children will find a lot to discover in the details, even after repeated readings.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA for School Library Journal

Kids Lit - "Great drama in a lovely theater of a book."

2009-11-09T00:23:00.004-05:00

Click on the image to enlarge it.September 23, 2009:

Beginning with the fable from Aesop, Buhler creates an answer to the question of who will bell the cats. The story is one of two very different but very nearby worlds. One is the world of privilege and pampering of the princess and her eight cats. The other is the world below the floor of Mouse and his friend Bat who live on the crumbs and waste of the world above them. Mouse yearns to sleep on perfumed pillows, and eat gorgeous meals, so he makes plans to bell the cats so they will be warned of any approach by the cats. He creates a suit of armor and a sword, but the cats just play ping-pong with him. He dresses up as a dog to scare the cats, but they play floor hockey with him. They put on a fashion show for the cats, but end up in mouse and bat pies, and are rescued by the kind princess. Finally, Mouse has a great idea that answers the question of the entire book.

I must first comment on the illustrations of the book which caught my attention immediately. They are done as miniature sets that Von Buhler built by hand. The characters are flat paper against the 3-D sets, making for a very theatrical feel. Her sets are done in deep colors that make them atmospheric and dramatic. Each room has small touches that demonstrate the care she has taken with the entire book.

Against the elaborate illustrations, her writing is simple and will read aloud well. The book is paced nicely, aided by quite a bit of humor that helps carry the story along. There is tension with each new plan from Mouse and a real sense of danger. The drama of the storyline works well with the theatrical sets.

Great drama in a lovely theater of a book, this book will reach out to anyone who spots the cover. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Make sure to take a look at Cynthia von Buhler’s blog and get a glimpse of how she built the illustrations.

Reviewed from library copy.

-Tasha Saeker, Menasha Public Library, Kids Lit

Syndicated, appearing in newspapers all over the United States, "The Young Library: Two classic fables are cat's meow."

2009-11-09T00:18:00.002-05:00

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Artist-author Cynthia von Buhler takes another cat-and-mouse tale from Aesop and makes it her own. In the original fable, the mice want a way to stop a house cat's sneak attacks. One suggests tying a bell around the cat's neck. Fine, except who will do it?

Von Buhler comes up with a clever solution in her fanciful picture book.

In addition, she sets the action in an exquisitely detailed castlelike dollhouse that she built and elaborately decorated. The story begins with a princess and her eight cats living in luxury. Mouse lives in the cellar, where he eats their crumbs and sleeps under a smelly old sock. He dreams up ways to bell the cats so he can go upstairs for a taste of cake, but nothing works until Mouse comes up with a plan. It works, but you'll have to read the book to find the answer.

For a taste, go to www.butwhowillbellthecats.com. - Judy Green, Syndicated Review

Urban Baby- "Destined to earn the “classic” label."

2009-11-09T00:16:00.000-05:00

Destined to earn the “classic” label down the road, But Who Will Bell the Cats? answers Aesop’s age-old question about the logistics involved in belling a feline foe. In Cynthia von Buhler’s tale, Mouse and BFF Brown Bat want out of their impoverished existence in the cold cellar and a piece of the action upstairs in the castle with the fancy library, bubble baths, grand ballroom and banquet hall. But first Mouse must bell the eight cats who live there with the princess. (Spoiler alert) Persistence pays off and this mouse with moxie is successful. Von Buhler created the standout visuals by designing 3-D sets, complete with floors with inlaid wood and mother-of-pearl. The characters were painted in oils on gessoed paper and then cut out and placed in the sets, which von Buhler then photographed. (Ages 4-8)

Check out a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how this book was created at butwhowillbellthecats.blogspot.com.

- Leigh Goldman Balber, October 19, 2009, Urban Baby

Horn Book Newsletter- "will charm dollhouse lovers."

2009-11-09T00:14:00.001-05:00

Award-winning artist Cynthia von Buhler concocts a slightly spooky, shadowy setting for her story of a mouse and bat friend in But Who Will Bell the Cats? Mouse and Brown Bat live in the drafty cellar of a castle; in the castle live a princess and her eight cats. Mouse dreams of belling the cats so that he can venture upstairs safely. Spreads depicting cutaway views showcase the vast differences in life above, in the elegant castle, and below, in the dingy cellar. Von Buhler’s photos of her intricately built miniature scenes are the real draw here, offering pictures that will charm dollhouse lovers. (5–8 years) - Horn Book Newsletter, October 2009

Read Out Loud Review - "A great vehicle for family or classroom debate and discussion."

2009-11-09T00:10:00.001-05:00

This talented author/illustrator definitively solves the problem first raised by Aesop of who will bell the cats so the mice know when they are approaching. In von Buhler's tale eight royal cats get belled through the efforts of one mouse, the strength of whose motivation is equaled only by his ingenuity. The readalouder can describe the Princess' cats in a smooth, fast-paced voice to contrast with the low-pitched, slowly told tale of the downstairs mouse. A great vehicle for family or classroom debate and discussion of whether the mouse is victim or victor. - Read Out Loud Review 2008-2009

The Winner of Our Bookstore Cat Contest Is "Lucky."

2009-11-04T23:39:00.001-05:00

"Lucky" Wins The Bookstore Cat Contest! He will receive a handmade cat collar and a signed copy of the The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside (he already owns But Who Will Bell the Cats?)

The Winner of Our Twitter Contest Is "Jefferson."

2009-08-18T14:00:00.032-04:00

Handsome Jefferson won our Twitter/Facebook cat collar contest. Here he is sporting a lilac colored collar (handmade by Mouse).

Enchanted Dollhouse Castle Created By Cynthia von Buhler To Be Exhibited at The Nassau County Museum of Art

2009-07-08T23:20:00.013-04:00

NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

BUT WHO WILL BELL THE CATS?

Enchanted World of Dollhouse Castle Created by Children’s Book Author and Illustrator Cynthia von Buhler

In NCMA’s MiniArtMuseum for Children - September 20, 2009 through January 3, 2010

Come to the Party!
Book Signing and Exhibition Party on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 2 pm
Free with Museum Admission, All Welcome

Nassau County Museum of Art’s (NCMA) MiniArtMuseum for Children takes on the fascination of a dollhouse castle with Cynthia von Buhler’s But Who Will Bell The Cats?, opening on September 7 and remaining on view through January 3. The exhibition is based on von Buhler’s new book of the same name which debuts in September. In But Who Will Bell The Cats? the famed author/illustrator creates an enchanted upstairs/downstairs world to show her viewers and readers the rewards of determination, bravery, and creativity—and remind them of the uncomplicated power of kindness.

Children and their families are invited to a party on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 2 pm to celebrate the publication of the book and the opening of the exhibition. Von Buhler will be on hand to sign copies of her book (available for purchase at the museum book store). No reservations are needed for the party and there is no fee beyond museum admission. For further information about the book, log onto www.butwhowillbellthecats.com.

In addition to having written and illustrated the story, von Buhler was the painter, sculptor, interior decorator, mason, gardener, and plumber of the sets. The rooms were built by hand from wood. The stone walls were formed from plaster. The floors are handmade from inlaid wood, mother-of-pearl and plaster. The characters were painted in oils on gessoed paper, then cut out and placed in the sets.

Cynthia von Buhler’s work has been compared to a trip down an ornate rabbit hole. She is an internationally known and award-winning artist whose three-dimensional works have been displayed in galleries and museums around the world, and in books, magazines, and newspapers. She shares her home with her husband, eight cats, one dog, seven doves, and an unknown number of mice living below the floorboards. Her book, The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside, was the inspiration for a previous exhibition at the MiniArtMuseum. The book and its characters will be featured in the exhibition opening on September 20.

The MiniArtMuseum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-4:30 pm.

Nassau County Museum of Art is located at One Museum Drive (just off Northern Boulevard, Route 25A, two traffic lights west of Glen Cove Rd.) in Roslyn Harbor. Hours for the main museum building, the Arnold & Joan Saltzman Fine Art Building, are 11 am to 4:45 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Docent-led tours of the main gallery exhibitions are offered each day at 2 pm. On Sunday afternoons the museum offers supervised art activities for children and their families and family tours of the exhibitions. Exhibition tours and Family Sundays at the Museum are free with museum admission. Admission to the main building is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $4 for children; it includes admission to the MiniArtsMuseum for Children; The MiniArtMuseum is open 12-4:30 pm Tuesday through Sunday; admission to just the MiniArtMuseum is $5 adults, $4 seniors, students and children ages 4-12. Members are always admitted free. There is a $2 parking fee on weekends (members free). The Museum Shop in the main building and the gift shop in the MiniArtMuseum are open all museum hours.

Call (516) 484-9337 for current exhibitions, events, days/times and directions or log onto nassaumuseum.org.

Nassau County Museum of Art is chartered and accredited under the laws of New York State as a not-for-profit private educational institution and museum. It is operated by a privately elected board of trustees which is responsible for its governance. The museum is funded through income derived from admissions, parking, membership, special events and private and corporate donations as well as federal and state grants.

Media/Photo Contact: Doris Meadows, (516) 609-9696, dorismeadows@optonline.net
Public Information: Nassau County Museum of Art, (516) 484-9337, nassaumuseum.org

The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside Dollhouse and Characters at The Nassau County Museum of Art

2007-08-13T19:29:00.000-04:00

Cynthia von Buhler's The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside dollhouse and book characters have been accepted into the The Nassau County Museum of Art's Tee Ridder Minatures Museum Collection. The set and characters will be on display beginning in October of 2007. The museum is also allowing Cynthia von Buhler access to their collection for her next children's book which will be released by Houghton Mifflin in Fall of 2009. Von Buhler is currently working on the characters for this book.

THE NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
The Museum has become a cultural resource bringing to Nassau County a range of visual experiences and quality art education programs previously unavailable in this suburban area. Accordingly, we present the works of internationally acclaimed artists in the main Museum building, a permanent collection of miniature rooms in the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum, educational programs for all ages and special exhibitions for local talented artists.

Joan and Arnold Saltzman Fine Art Building
The Museum's magnificent natural site on 145 acres, its formal gardens and fascinating history offer a setting unique for monumental outdoor sculpture, historic architecture, a collection of flora rare on Long Island, performances and first-rate fine art exhibitions.

The Museum is located 20 miles east of New York City in Roslyn Harbor, Long Island. Since its privatization in 1989, it has become the largest suburban fine arts museum in the United States in terms of attendance, volunteer participation and budget.

THE TEE RIDDER MINATURES MUSEUM

Tee's style was eclectic. She invested in exquisitely crafted items such as a reproduction of an 18th century harpsichord with an oil painting inside the lid and a lady's writing desk that contains a secret compartment. On travels to Italy and England, she indulged her eye for detail, returning home to create shops for Venetian glass and English porcelain. From African safaris came mineral specimens which were crafted into room decorations.

Ranging from cozy kitchens to elegant gilded drawing rooms, the "Tee touch" is always evident. Tee's taste was impeccable, and it was seldom that her miniatures were without her signature touch of refreshing whimsy.

Visitors to the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum of the Nassau County Museum of Art are charmed by an 18th century kitchen, a music room and a gaming room containing animal trophies. A French grand salon is illuminated by an electrified glass chandelier three inches tall with replaceable light bulbs the size of a grain of rice.

In this miniature world, Tee Ridder found endless hours of pleasure, fantasy, and creative satisfaction. She would be thrilled by the pleasure her art is giving both young and old.

The Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum has a gift shop which sells miniature furniture, miniatures kits and many non-miniature related gift items. The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside will also be available in the bookstore.
Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive
Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576
516-484-9338

ADMISSION FEES
General Admission: $10.00
Seniors (62 & over): $8.00
Children and full-time students: $4.00
Children under 5: Free
Museum members: Free

Parking Fee: $2.00 per car on Saturdays and Sundays only

HOURS
The Nassau County Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 4:45 PM.

The Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 12:00 PM through 4:30 PM.

Visit the museum website HERE.

King Tut Greets Me In Mamaroneck, New York

2007-06-13T12:16:00.002-04:00

King Tut

I visited Mamaroneck Avenue School in Mamaroneck New York last week to give a slide presentation about my book to all 500 students. I was in for a surprise when the ultra-cool librarian, Madeline Gilbert, picked me up at the train station with her pet cockatoo, King Tut, on her shoulder. The bird stays at the library with her every day and at the end of the school year Madeline brings in her pet turtle. Her office, with fellow cool librarian Carol Santini, is a dark planetarium and the library was warm and welcoming. The children presented me with 500 beautiful drawings of houses and animals. I have chosen a few of them to display here. It was hard to choose. I love all of the drawings. - Cynthia von Buhler

"Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for making our entire school so happy today. I'm sure by the time you visit us again, the copies of The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside will be well worn with the many requests to take them out of the library.

Your presentation was so natural and appealing. All of us are still
talking about it.

Thank you,

Madeline Gilbert
Library Teacher"

Madeline and King Tut
King Tut
"A Shelter For The Cat" drawing by Emmeline Chuy
"House by Moonlight" drawing by Natalia
"Sandwich House" drawing by Hyojin Kang
"Heart House" drawing by unsigned (Contact me if you made this drawing so I can add your name here.)
"Guitar House" drawing by Jason Abel
"The Place of the Cats" drawing by Kyra Greenawalt
"The Flying House" drawing by Noah
"Large Purple Bird with Cat and Dog" drawing by unsigned (Contact me if you made this drawing so I can add your name here.)
"Cat with Hat and Boots" drawing by Rie Ogasawara
"Castle, China House and Heart House" drawing by Jessica Barrios
"Tweet Tweet, Meow and Neigh" drawing by Ciara Cattano
"Air Bubble House" drawing by Hayley

Kodiak's Clay Cat

2007-06-07T13:03:00.002-04:00

The clay cat workshop and book reading at The Staten Island Museum was a big hit. We are doing another one on Saturday, August 25th at 2 p.m. For more information please click HERE.

Here is a letter from a parent who attended the Clay Cat Workshop at The Staten Island Museum:

"Cynthia,

Kodiak (age 4) is finished with the cat sculpture he started at your 5/19 clay workshop at the Staten Island Museum. The photos are attached. The sculpture is painted like one of his mom's cats.

I also blogged (with lots of photos) about the entire process at the link below. This post includes the trip to SI, sculpting at home, and painting... as well as the Prodigal/Splashdown backstory.

http://brian-of-brooklyn.blogspot.com/2007/06/cat-who-wouldnt-come-inside.html

Thanks for putting on this workshop. I hope to get back to the museum this summer to take a closer look at your 'grownup' exhibit. Keep spreading the good word about Staten Island!

-Brian Hedden"

The Most Wonderful Cats

2007-06-07T12:27:00.000-04:00

Photo: Ada needs a new home.
Sent by a cat lover:

"well, we have to do it.

as you may know, we're moving to copenhagen. as you also may know, we have a few cats. some think its crazy to bring a cat to denmark. pretty much everyone would agree its psychotic to bring three. so we're trying to find a good home for ada and lily. chances are we've already asked you, or know that you cant take them. but maybe we havent asked. or maybe you know someone who could. or know someone who knows someone . . .

they are wonderful cats who have grown up together and so if at all possible we want them to stay together. ada is 8 and lily is 7. they both love to sit on laps and in boxes and to play with each other. ada is black and white and really smart and has distinctive features like a black spot on her nose. lily is gray with white paws and a bit of a ballerina and she'll fall over if you rub her belly right. i think she may actually be the sweetest cat in the world.

i've attached pictures. dont want to beg but if you know anyone who you think may be able to care for them, please pass this on. this is a terribly depressing email to write and possibly to receive and i apologize. i also apologize if you live very far away or our communications have lapsed . . . we are casting a wide net and hoping that someone knows someone who might come to love these cats nearly as much as we do.

thanks.

catherine and benjamin and lily and ada."

CONTACT: catherine zeidler, catpatz@gmail.com
Photo: Ada and Lily
Photo: Lily needs a new home.

Muppet Needs A New Home!

2007-05-19T18:09:00.000-04:00

Photo: Muppet
A letter from one of our blog readers:

"Muppet is a two year old black and white tuxedo cat with a very silly
quirky personality. She loves to play and nap on her back with her
legs up. When you pet her, she purrs like a motor. We already have too
many cats and Muppet really wants her own clean litter box. She would
do best in a home where she was the star and there weren't any other
kitties to compete with. Muppet is very cute and loving when she gets
to know you. Loves cuddling in bed and being pet under her chinny. We
want to find a loving parent for Muppet because we want the best for
her and we are hoping you will feel the same."

If you are interested, please e-mail christina.carrozza@gmail.com

Cynthia von Buhler: Show & Tell Solo Exhibit Opens at the Staten Island Museum

2007-04-26T00:02:00.000-04:00

On Friday, April 27, the Staten Island Museum will unveil Cynthia von Buhler: Show & Tell. The exhibit will run from April 26, 2007 – June 17, 2007, Extended until September 23, 2007 due to popular demand. The surreal three-dimensional works blend Renaissance inspired portraiture and messianic figures with natural objects. Cynthia von Buhler’s enigmatic paintings impart their meaning through symbol, design, and narrative. In von Buhler’s art, butterflies, snakes, birds, and plants are set into cages, boxes, and peepholes to serve as metaphors for the human condition. The layered gouache paintings and their sculptural, performance, and audio accoutrements are at once poignant and mischievous. Show and Tell is akin to a trip down an ornate rabbit hole. Also on exhibit will be sculpture characters in dollhouse dioramas from von Buhler's recently released children's book The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside (Houghton Mifflin, 2006). The museum is easily accessible from Manhattan via the Staten Island ferry which is a free twenty-minute ride, and lands across the street from the museum. An exhibition catalog will be available. Books are available for sale in the museum gift shop. Opening Reception: Friday, April 27th, 6PM - 8PM.

May 6, 2007: Cynthia von Buhler Artist’s Talk will be held on Sunday, May 6th at 2:00 p.m. Von Buhler’s Renaissance inspired portraits hold hidden secrets, butterflies, snakes, and birds---while cages and peepholes serve as mischievous metaphors. The Artist’s Talk is part of the Artists/Ideas Series: Supported by JP Morgan Chase.

May 19, 2007: The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside Family Workshop and Book Signing with Artist and author Cynthia von Buhler will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 2:00 p.m. Participants will meet the artist and find out how she created her new book with dollhouse charm and a message about patience and giving. A cat figurine workshop for children is included in the program. Admission is $2 per child. Signed books will be available for sale at the event.

August 11, 2007: Cynthia von Buhler Artist’s Talk will be held on Saturday, August 11th at 1:00 p.m. Von Buhler’s Renaissance inspired portraits hold hidden secrets, butterflies, snakes, and birds---while cages and peepholes serve as mischievous metaphors. The Artist’s Talk is part of the Artists/Ideas Series: Supported by JP Morgan Chase. Free with museum admission.

August 25, 2007: The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside Family Workshop and Book Signing with Artist and author Cynthia von Buhler will be held on Saturday, August 25th at 2:00 p.m. Participants will meet the artist and find out how she created her new book with dollhouse charm and a message about patience and giving. A cat figurine workshop for children is included in the program. Admission is $5 per child. Admission is free for children under 12. Copies of the book will be available for sale at this event.

Read the museum press release and view close-up details of some of the paintings HERE e event.

If you are coming from Manhattan you can take the ferry from lower Manhattan to the island. It is a lovely 1/2 hour ride with outstanding views. Take the 1, R, W, 4, or 5 train to South Ferry. (If you take the 1 train make sure that you are in one of the first 5 subway cars). The museum is across the street from the ferry terminal.

The Staten Island Museum. 75 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, New York City, 718-727-1135
Hours: Tuesdays - Fridays from 9AM to 5PM, Saturday 10AM - 5PM, Sunday 12PM- 5PM

Personal Online Research Exposes Animal Abuse

2007-04-01T03:08:00.000-04:00

Now that my vetinarian-prescribed cat food has been recalled I'm worried about what I'm going to feed my pets. I went online to do some research and I found out that many pet food companies do painful testing on animals. The PETA site had a plethora of information. I plan on feeding my animals Wysong. They do not test on animals and the products appear to be purer. They also offer a diabetic cat food (for Cowie's Baby) but you need to buy it through vetinarians. I plan on contacting my vet to request that they switch to Wysong.

New Pet Food Alerts! Recall on Hill's M/D Dry Food

2007-03-31T01:39:00.000-04:00

My vet called me tonight with an urgent message: The Hill's M/D Prescription Dry Cat Food I have been buying from them has also been recalled. This is very expensive food prescribed because one of my cats is diabetic. This expensive brand had also bought some of the tainted wheat gluten in 2007. My cats seem okay but who knows what kind of affect this will have on our pets health in the future. I'm angry. Please make sure that you are not feeding your pet any of these foods. Go HERE to read the press release.

Your Cat or Dog Food Could Cause Kidney Failure: Major Pet Food Recall

2007-03-19T00:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went to PetSmart to buy wet food pouches for my dog and there were none left on the shelf. Now I know why. Tonight a friend sent me this information below. I checked the UPC number and we have the bad food (Eukanuba for Senior Dogs). Luckily our dog, Miss Jenny Poodles (pictured), has not experienced any problems. We feed our cats prescription M/D wet food (because one is diabetic) and my most recent rescue, Puss Puss, has been eating Fancy Feast so no worries there. [Scratch that last comment! I had a false feeling of security. See my recent blog posts, even my prescription food was not safe!] Please check to make sure that you are not feeding your cat or dog these recalled brands of wet food. A few years ago one of my cats, Cleo, ate the dust from a white lilly and went into renal failure. I noticed that she was acting strange and took her to the vet. She was saved but it was a close call. Please check and make sure that you don't have these products. - Cynthia

IMPORTANT BLOG UPDATE: I took down my list of recalled foods because it appears that the list is growing and I did not want to miss any products that were recently added. So, please visit the FDA site for an up-to-date list of recalled foods and press releases by clicking HERE.

Easter Lilly Alert!! For A List Of Plants Poisonous To Cats Go HERE.

Cat Fancy Magazine Features The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside

2007-02-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

Photo: The victorian house from The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside
Cat Fancy Magazine Feature:
The April issue of Cat Fancy magazine (in stores now) features an interview with von Buhler, by Laura Lee Bloor, about her children's book, The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside. Available in pet stores everywhere.
Read a portion of the interview HERE.

CatChannel.com Exclusive Feature:
There is an exclusive now on CatChannel.com, featuring audio clips of von Buhler telling stories of her cat-rescue endeavors. Go HERE to listen to von Buhler and view pictures.

Photo: The book is about this cat named Olympus.
Photo: Princess Fancy Feast was rescued at Christmas time.
Photo: Pacman had been hit by a car.
Photo: Musso would eat mice whole.
Photo: Little Miss, Chairman Meow were rescued when they were very sick feral kittens. Cowie's Baby, on the right, cares for them.
Photo: Fuzzy Pumper was a little feral furball who appeared on our porch one day.
Photo: Have you seen this picture of Little Bear elsewhere? Hint: He is very musical.
Photo: Little Miss and Chairman Meow recover from their illness and become friendly.
Photo: Dr. Q sneezes big long green boogers.

The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside Animation

2007-01-04T01:44:00.001-05:00

If you merge South Park with Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer it might look something like this. This animation is based on the children's book, The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside, written and illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler. Please note: This animation is loosely based on the book. The book is not weird or scary. You can view it on YouTube (and comment upon it) by clicking HERE.

Director & Artist: Cynthia von Buhler
Animator: Christina Carrozza D'Alessandro
Music: Adam Buhler
Lyrics: Cynthia von Buhler
Vocals: Cynthia von Buhler & Chris Cote

Book Signing At Diskovery in Boston

2006-12-14T12:08:00.001-05:00

My booksigning visit to Boston was a big success.

Read The Boston Globe clip HERE

I had two crowded book signings while I was in Boston. I met with many friends that I haven't seen in ages. Also, at Diskovery I signed books for The Twombley family (see my picture with John Twombley above) who had lived in the purple house their whole lives before I bought it. I also visited the old house and met the Boston University students who now live there. It was sad to see that the once jewel-toned interior had been painted white and many of the details had been removed. Overall the house looked shabby which was disturbing, however, the students that live there are keeping Castle von Buhler's eccentric vibe alive. They are keeping chickens in the front yard where my dove tower used to stand. You can read about their story HERE.

Pictures From The Society of Illustrator's Dimensional Salon Exhibit at The Museum of American Illustration in New York City

2006-12-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

Book Signing At The Spotty Dog During The Winter Walk Festival in Hudson, New York

2006-12-14T11:45:00.000-05:00

The Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, New York.

Photo: The Spotty Dog door sign.
Photo: The Spotty Dog, view from outside.
Photo: Cynthia von Buhler holding Miss Jenny Poodles.
Photo: Customers entering the crowded store.
Photo: Louis Carrozza, Cynthia's father and the builder of the dollhouse in the book.
Photo: Cynthia von Buhler signing books.
Photo: Cynthia von Buhler signing books.
Photo: The crowded Hudson street.
Photo: Horse-drawn carriages on the street.
Photo: Russell Farhang and Miss Jenny Poodles.
Photo: Co-owner of The Spotty Dog, Kelley Drahushuk.
Photo: Owners of The Spotty Dog, Alan Coon and Kelley Drahushuk.

Pictures From The Cat Writer's Association & International Cat Show in California

2006-12-14T11:09:00.000-05:00

Letter From A Librarian, Massachusetts

2006-12-11T18:23:00.001-05:00

Dear Cynthia,
Just wanted to let you know how wonderful your new book
THE CAT WHO WOULDN"T COME INSIDE is. What a beautiful
book. I came across your book because I work at a library receiving
all the new material and I see literally hundreds and hundreds of
childrens books. The minute I took yours out of the box I knew I
had come across a very special book. As a mother to currently
six felines, all strays or "products" of a stray, I was happy to find
someone out there as "crazy" as I am. Theirs is a very tough plight
and like you I take them very seriously. Thank you for your creativity
and heart. Lyn A.

Reading and Workshop at Storyopolis in Studio City, California

2006-10-28T21:19:00.000-04:00

Guest reader, Michael Farhang:

Teaching the children:

Making the cat sculptures:

A few completed cat sculptures:

New Cat Book Tour Blog Page

2006-10-28T20:51:00.000-04:00

Photo: The author's self-portrait.Looking for an author book signing or a book art exhibit near you? We now have a website for up-to-the-moment listings on the book & exhibit tour for The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside. Click HERE.

Kitty (and Dog) Adoptions at CVB Space Receptions

2006-10-28T17:12:00.000-04:00

Photo: Miss Rebecca Shivers still needs a home.
Photo: Donna chooses Oliver, a 3-legged kitty.
Photo: Everyone wanted to take Jenny (now Poodley) home.
Photo: Poodley finds a home.
Photo: These adorable kittens still need a home.
Photo: Adopt this black kitty for Halloween.
Photo: Cynthia holds Oliver.
Photo: Oliver and Cynthia in front of the dollhouse set.
Photo: Poodley likes sleeping on the fake snow.
City Critters, a New York City animal rescue organization, brought some beautiful cats and dogs to the opening and closing receptions for The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside at CVB Space. Dave and Diane adopted cats, Cindy (aka Sydney) and Yuki, and Donna plans to adopt a sweet, and very agile, 3-legged cat named Oliver. Russell and I even took home a dog! We named her Poodley after my favorite childhood stuffed animal. She looks like a cat when viewed from behind although she is tinier than most kitties. Check out the City Critters website to see all of the cats and dogs, rescued from the streets of New York City, who are in need of loving homes. Also, you'll be glad to know that when you buy The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside a portion of my royalties, for each book sold, will be donated to City Critters.

The Museum of American Illustration To Display The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside.

2006-10-28T16:08:00.000-04:00

The Museum of American Illustration and The Society of Illustrators have chosen The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside 3-d dollhouse set to appear in their juried Third Biennial Dimensional Salon exhibit and catalog. In addition to this exhibit, von Buhler will be displaying some of the cat sculptures in their Member's Gallery. The mission of the Society is to promote the art and appreciation of illustration, as well as its history and evolving nature, and to encourage high ideals through exhibitions, lectures, education, and by fostering a sense of community and open discussion. The Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators maintains a large collection of original illustrations. Amassed over several decades, the collection is comprised of well over two thousand works by many of the biggest names in the field of Illustration. These works are on display throughout the public and member spaces in the Society’s circa 1853 carriage house on East 63rd Street. See the Cat Book Tour blog page for more information on this and all exhibits and signings.

Review from School Library Journal

2006-10-22T23:06:00.000-04:00

"This cumulative story, told by a redheaded, doll-like figure, features a stray feline outside a house on a cold wintry day. The woman asks the cat to come inside, but he runs away. The following day, she puts out a bowl of warm milk; the critter laps it up and leaves. Next, she leaves him a bowl of milk and a plate of tuna, but he still refuses to come in. Each day, she leaves more gifts, until the front porch is as comfortable as the inside and the cat invites the woman to come out. The simple text is enhanced dramatically by the three-dimensional-looking illustrations, which are wonderfully detailed photographs of a dollhouse and clay characters. The photos are set against parchment-colored backdrops and framed by scroll borders, giving the pages a cozy, old-fashioned look. While the tale will be fun to share, the photographs are a delight to pore over individually. Endpapers complete with claw scratches round out a package that should please everyone from cat lovers to miniature enthusiasts". –by Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA, School Library Journal

Review from Scholastic's Parent & Child Magazine: Teacher's Pick, Best of 2006

2006-10-22T22:54:00.000-04:00

"In this cumulative story, a patient girl tries to lure a stray cat inside her cozy home, by leaving enticements outside her front door. Each day she ups the ante, until eventually she’s converted her porch into a perfectly comfortable home for her and the cat. (The author’s note reveals that Olympus the cat didn’t come inside her own home for four years.) The story is illustrated with original dioramas that the author’s family contributed to in significant ways". -by Carolyn Rogalsky, Parent and Child, Teacher's Picks, Best of 2006

Review from BookPage

2006-10-07T11:55:00.000-04:00

Here, kitty kitty

Review by Alice Cary, Bookpage

The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside is a unique, quirky and delightful book. Most notable are the illustrations by artist and author Cynthia von Buhler. Each spread features a diorama with a dollhouse and two characters, a cat and a woman, made of Sculpey clay, paint and homemade costumes. (For a sneak peek, check out the author's website at www.comeinsidekitty.com .)

The story is a simple, cumulative tale. A cat appears on a woman's doorstep and refuses to come inside—running away, despite coaxing. The woman keeps trying to lure the cat inside with various temptations: milk, tuna, a catnip mouse, a soft rug, a ball of yarn, etc. The cat enjoys each of these things, but keeps leaving.

The woman is so determined that she builds a wall and a fireplace on her porch and furnishes it with an armchair, curtains, knitting needles and more. In the end, the area is so cozy and the cat is so at home that he finally invites the woman to come inside his place.

If you crave detail and intricacy (and I do!), you'll love looking at the many fine details in each scene, including candelabras and lit candles, fine china, books, wallpaper and luxurious rugs. The season is winter, and the snow is made, according to von Buhler, from five different types of artificial snow, including spray snow and cotton batting. What's more, she created falling snow with the help of Photoshop and her computer.

The publisher bills this as a book for preschoolers, but I recommend it for all ages. In fact, I think older children are more likely to relish the fine artwork and realize the great efforts required to create it.

Von Buhler adds a note at the end about the real-life inspiration for her story—a stray cat that appeared on her own doorstep and did not come inside her house for four years. Finally, though, the poor cat became ill, only to come inside and die in her arms one night. This is certainly a sad footnote, but the book itself is anything but gloomy. Young children will love this simple, welcoming story, and older children and adults alike will marvel at von Buhler's considerable artistic talents.

Alice Cary writes from Groton, Massachusetts.

CVB Space Cat Sculpting Workshop Pictures

2006-10-05T18:08:00.000-04:00

We had fun last Saturday at the CVB Space Workshop! As you can see below, moms and dads had as much fun as the kids. Check back soon for information on the next cat sculpting workshop in the New York City area. For those of you in Los Angeles area, scroll down to the "Upcoming Appearances" blog entry for a workshop that is occuring soon in your area. Thanks to Time Out NY Kids, Blogging Baby, Urban Baby, Time Out NY, Go City Kids and Cynstations for listing the event!

CVB Space Exhibit On Display Until October 26th

2006-10-05T17:25:00.000-04:00

The traveling exhibit for The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside will be on display at CVB Space until October 26, 2006. The hours for this exhibit are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1PM - 6PM. Signed book are available for purchase for $15 each. CVB Space, 407 West 13th Street, 2nd floor, NY, NY. Between 9th Ave. & Washington St. A, C, E, or L to 14th Street at 8th Ave. 646-336-8387. Note: The gallery will not be open on Saturday, October 14th.

Pictures of the small diarama boxes with each character will be posted soon.

The Reviews Are Coming!

2006-09-06T23:49:00.000-04:00

Review excerpts:

"Von Buhler builds the cumulative tale, adding ever more elaborate items. The fantasy creeps in quietly when the cat reads a book by the fire and it culminates in the surprise ending. The unique, eye-popping illustrations raise this work above the ordinary. Handcrafted, detailed set elements in a variety of materials, and three dimensional clay figures, create depth and texture. Each two-page spread provides the reader with a glimpse of a world beyond the frame...a sheer delight." -- Kirkus Reviews

"This cumulative story, told through staged photographs of an elaborate dollhouse set with characters created from clay, concerns a feral feline who is gradually coaxed into domestic life. "Come inside, kitty!" urges the genteel red-headed narrator when she spots a cat shivering on her snow-covered porch. This invitation, along with the response—"The cat ran away"—becomes the book's two-part refrain as the patient lady offers an ever-growing number of incentives to her visitor. As the list grows to "some warm milk, a plate of tuna, a catnip mouse, a soft rug, a ball of yarn, and a cozy armchair," the cat's defenses seem to melt (the yarn ball sends him into a Zen-like contentment). But he still insists on domesticity on his own terms; not until the narrator turns her porch into an open-air parlor does the cat settle in for good. Von Buhler's (They Called Her Molly Pitcher) 3-D settings and characters work considerable magic...Her feline hero possesses a wide repertoire of expressions, which makes him an effective comedic foil for the more conventional doll-like narrator, whose earnest, unflappable visage never changes. Readers with dollhouses and kitties of their own may well be entranced." - Publisher's Weekly

"...Cynthia von Buhler has a personal blog, where she writes about the book and invites readers to send in their own cat-inspired art and stories. There is also an extraordinary website set up to complement the book, which I highly recommend. It's enchanting and wonderful for kids. I spent a long while there myself; learning about the story, the characters and how they were made, and how the scenes were created. There are even directions on how to make your own Sculpey clay kitty. Hooray for such a lovely treasure to add to our bookshelves!" -- BloggingBaby.com

Shane's Kitty Sculpture, Saratoga Springs, NY

2006-09-06T22:12:00.000-04:00

Letter from Princess Fancy Feast & Stephanie, Boston

2006-08-28T17:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a sweet letter from Stephanie and Princess Fancy Feast. Isn't Princess a beauty? She was one of my rescues at the purple house in Boston:

Dear Cynthia:

I'm writing to tell you how spectacular your new book is. Reading the true story caused tears to stream down my face. The book version is impressive as well and the art... well, just amazing! You're so talented!

Princess Fancy Feast checked out your wonderful website with me and she was *so* excited to see her name on the list of cats you've adopted--she felt like a celebrity!

PFF wants you to know that she is very happy in life, spending most of her days lounging, as royalty should, in my loft, with only the vaguest memories of being chased under the dresser when she lived with Fuzzy Pumper and Pac-man.

I want to thank you for rescuing her (legend has it she was a Christmas gift?) because she has brought so much joy to my life. She's simply the cutest creature that has ever walked the earth.

I'm looking forward to buying your book and recommending it to all the cat-lovers I know.

Best wishes,
Stephanie
and
Princess Fancy Feast

Gabrielle's Kitty Sculpture, Saratoga Springs, NY

2006-08-26T12:18:00.000-04:00

Twice The Cat Love

2006-08-16T20:14:00.000-04:00

One of our blog readers, E. Stephen Frederick, from Massachusetts sent in this amazing cat story with a link to this video.This gorgeous kitty was born in a cat breeder's litter. The horrified breeder brought him to a vet to be put down but luckily he was saved. Or, should I say, they were saved?

I want a two-headed cat, don't you?

A Book Release Party and A Month-long Exhibit

2006-05-09T23:54:00.000-04:00

A book release party and art exhibit at CVB Space in Manhattan has been planned.

Dates: September 28, 2006 - October 26, 2006
Opening reception: Thursday, September 28, 2006 from 6PM - 9PM
Children's reception: Saturday, September 30, 2006 1PM - 5PM

Cat lovers of all ages are welcome at the children's reception on Saturday for a free art workshop. All the supplies will be on hand for you to make your own sculpted cat.

Hours for this exhibit: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: 1PM - 5PM

CVB Space
407 West 13th Street (between 9th Avenue and Washington Street)
New York City
646-336-8387
Subway: A, C, E, and L to 14th Street (at 8th Avenue)

We are hoping to have books on hand for purchase.

This exhibit will travel.

American Illustration Chooses The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside

2006-05-09T23:39:00.000-04:00

The prestigious American Illustration jury has chosen four pages from The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside to appear in the 2006 book of the best illustration in the country. For 24 years American Illustration has been promoting, showcasing and preserving the best art and photography in the industry. Regarded by creative professionals as the two top sources for the finest, cutting-edge talent in the field, these large-format, artfully designed and beautifully printed hardcover annuals are published each year in November.

The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside --Release Date Set

2006-05-09T22:31:00.000-04:00

The Cat Who Wouldn’t Come Inside
By Cynthia von Buhler
Release date: September 25, 2006

All tigers and tabbies,
calicos and strays,
kittens and cats,
need love.
And trust.
They want things just so.

And, sometimes, they do not want to come inside.

But a little patience
and a little attention
can make all the difference . . .

Here's a loving tribute to feline companionship, sure to warm
human and kitty hearts—because cat company is worth
waiting for!