about the book
Yoda had a great life. Soft bed, plenty of food and great dreams of being a hero cat—until the day his owner didn’t want him anymore, and he was dumped at the North Shore Animal Shelter.
As the long months passed, other cats and kittens were adopted. Clever Peaches found a home, and so did Cuddly Maxine. Someone even adopted Stinky Stanley. No one wanted Yoda. He was withdrawn and sad, and his long white fur became so dirty and matted that he had to be shaved. Though he was offered plenty of yummy food, he hardly ate. Then the vet discovered that Yoda had a very serious heart condition.
He wouldn’t last long in the shelter. Then one day, a nice lady named Beth came and, though Yoda wanted nothing to do with her, she knew this sad skinny cat needed lots of love. She took him home.
One day, Yoda pushed his way into the only room with a door that was always closed, discovering that he was not the only cat in Beth’s life! She also fostered four kittens. Yoda immediately took charge of the rambunctious fluff balls, becoming a father—and a mother—to them, joining in their play, grooming them, and making them feel safe.
That litter was followed by another…and another…and another! Each time, Yoda took charge of the little kittens and they grew up happy and healthy. But here is the real surprise. All that love and his new purpose in life healed Yoda’s heart! Now Yoda is one healthy, happy, and busy cat!
about the author
Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens is a true story. Yoda is a real cat, and the nice lady who adopted him is Beth Stern. She is an actress, a co-host on the television show The View, and the spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League of America, the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization. An animal right activist, she has hosted animal shows on several television channels. Have you ever watched the Cat-stravaganza, The Kitten Bowl on the Hallmark Channel on Super Bowl Sunday? Beth is responsible for this über-successful adoption event and is proud to report that all the orphaned kittens on the show find new homes!
Beth (Ostrosky) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her father is a dentist and her mother is a former model. Growing up with two brothers, they always had a house full of rescued pets from local shelters. Following her mother’s path, Beth worked as a model through high school, and at the University of Pittsburgh, she studied English literature.
After seven years of dating, Beth married radio personality Howard Stern in 2007. Together, they have rescued six cats: Yoda, Bella, Charlie, Walter, Apple, and Leon Bear. They also foster kittens—lots of litters of little kittens! Over two hundred so far! Beth works hard to socialize each little kitten, learns its personality, and searches for just the right home. You might be surprised to learn the shock-jock Howard is really a softy at heart. He names all the cats and kittens!
And Yoda? Well he is Beth’s little miracle. When they got him from the shelter, the vet told Beth and Howard that Yoda had just months to live. Now he is super healthy and still taking charge of every kitten that comes into their house!
Sources:
Author biography: Simon & Schuster
Author biography: Amazon
Author interview: Biography
Author spotlight: Elite Daily
Author video interview: Actual News
Also by Beth Stern:
Yoda Gets a Buddy (Yoda). Aladdin. 2015.
about the illustrator
Devin Crane was born in Los Angeles, California, and began his drawing career at the age of four. By the age of seventeen, he was already working in the animation industry. After attending art school, Devin became a successful animator, live action artist, character designer, and art director working for Disney, Sony, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Pictures. His credits include The Iron Giant, Shrek 2, Monsters Vs. Aliens, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Home.
Devin’s fine art paintings combine his interest in fashion with stylized drawings of interesting women. His works have been exhibited in Los Angeles, New, York, Miami, Key West, Atlanta, Boston, Monaco, Hong Kong and at the prestigious Maitre Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris.
Devin makes his home in Los Angeles, California.
Sources:
Illustrator biography: CTN Animation Expo
Illustrator biography: Amazon
Also by Devin Crane:
Yoda Gets a Buddy (Yoda) by Beth Stern. Aladdin. 2015.
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