The pope smiled. “Blessings be on Nini, who gives such joy,” he said. He raised his hand.
Nini raised his paw. He patted the pope’s shiny ring.
The pope’s smile grew into a wide grin. “Can it be?” he said. “Has Nini just blessed the pope?”
(from The Famous Nini, page 19)
When Mary Nethery asked if I’d be interested in reviewing her newest picture book, I couldn’t say no, especially since The Girl and I just loved her last book, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle (read our review), which she co-wrote with Major Brian Dennis and Kirby Larson. When I opened the envelope from the publisher, I was drawn to the beautiful cover with the vivid blue sky, the waters of Venice, and of course, Nini.
The Famous Nini: A Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star is a charming picture book written by Mary Nethery and illustrated by John Manders that tells the story of Nini, a cat who makes himself at home in Nonna Framboni’s caffè. It is here that Nini inspires Verdi, meets the king and queen of Italy (who declare National Nini Day), and even blesses the pope. But it is how Nini helps the daughter of Emperor Menelik that steals the show.
At the end of the book, Nethery explains that Nini was a real cat who lived in a caffè in Venice in the 1890s and became a celebrity for reasons unknown. People flocked to the coffee shop to sign Nini’s guest book, and people paid tribute to him when he died. Nethery imagines that Nini’s purr — something unique to cats — led to his fame. She also details all the famous figures in the story, who actually called upon Nini during his lifetime, and separates the facts from the fiction in the book.
The Girl (age 10) and I both loved the illustrations and how the historical figures and their connections to Nini were detailed at the end. We both learned a lot from this picture book, as we’d never heard of Nini prior to reading it. The Famous Nini is a beautiful picture book to share with children and a tribute to the soothing touch of animals — and how they often do more for us than we could ever do for them.
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Famous Nini from the author and Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for review purposes. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2010 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
This book sounds delightful and Nini sounds like a special cat! I just love the cover.
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If you think the cover is gorgeous, you should see the illustrations inside!
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Oh, it sounds charming! I will have to pick this up for a special little girl who lives on my street. She likes to pet my cats and I think she’d enjoy it.
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That’s a great idea!
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Cats are such gifts to humans. and Mary’s book is a gift to all the cats who love us unconditionally.
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I must agree with you. It made me wish I had a cat, especially one as cool as Nini.
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The cover looks gorgeous. If all the illustrations look like that I think I must pick it up.
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Then you better get your hands on a copy! 😉
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Sounds so cute! The illustrations are wonderful too 🙂
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I’m not big on picture books these days since The Girl is getting older, but I just adored this book!
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I do like picture books 🙂 I worked at the library last summer and half the day I worked at the children’s department, and I used to read some very cute picture books. it kind of made me want to have a kid to read it with, maybe one day
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It’s fun to read picture books to children and watch their faces light up when they look at the illustrations. This is the perfect book to keep in mind if you do have a child eventually.
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This books sounds so Cute! I love the cover art 🙂
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It’s very cute, and the way Nethery incorporates the historical aspect of the story gives it a depth I didn’t expect.
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Sounds like a cute book. This one making its way to the nephew?
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Nope, it’s staying in The Girl’s personal collection since she loved it so much. Once the nephew gets past the destroying books stage, maybe I’ll get him a copy of his own. 😉
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This book sounds wonderful and that’s just a great cover!
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You’re right on both counts. 😉
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Sounds wonderful- I like the mix of fun and history.
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That’s why I loved it so much.
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great review ladies, this does sound like a sweet book with lovely illustrations.
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Thanks!
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[…] The Famous Nini by Mary Nethery, illustrated by John […]
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