western eye press

A Cat Named Clyde

by Ellen Shelton, illustrated by Barbara Hudin

26 pages, 8.5 X 8.5 inches, full-color, softbound, $9.95, plus shipping

Currently available through amazon.com

A poetic and heartwarming book, for children of all ages, and, for that matter, adults of all ages too.

This book tells the story of what happens to a cat named Clyde after he dies. Like all creatures, Clyde is transformed and reintegrated into the natural world of growing things, plants, water, and weather. In rhythmic and vivid language, and warm and colorful illustrations, this story seeks to put the death of a pet into its widest, most universal, and in a sense most benign context.

A Cat Named Clyde is an eye-opener for kids, and a beautiful sympathetic meditation for adults.

About the author

Ellen Shelton has lived with, and said goodbye to, a number of family pets. And she has thought long and lovingly of the journey that their essence, their substance and their spirit then make in this natural world.

The idea of transformation comforted her young daughters, and she hopes that

the story of Clyde may help other children see the death of a pet as not quite so final.

Ellen lives in Bend, Oregon, with her writer husband Peter.