A Gorgeous Book All Around
927371
It's so bizarre to me that this has been poorly reviewed by others.

This is a beautiful collection of work, beautifully printed and skillfully laid out. I look through this book more than any other.

Sure, if you're just purely expecting a collection of nudes, you may be disappointed.
876066
This is a gorgeous book.  The writing and photographs are so lovely, I kept thinking while looking through it, this is a work of art.  I was pulled into the story from the very first page.  We always knew the Irish are compelling, but linen and lace?  Yes, it is an incredible ride.
1495466
From the stunning metallics of the cover through the beautiful illustrations within and straight to the lovely bonus of cards at the back,  this book is amazing to look at.

But the real centerpiece is the content from Maia Toll which is charming,  whimsical, and powerfully written to bring the herbs within to life and light.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.  This is a book to spend time with,  slowly,  absorbing its contents as they wash over you like a gentle, warm rainfall.
1511971
I recently bought a copy of this book for my little cousin (and a copy for me) -- she, in turn, had her mom video herself reading this book aloud for me! It is beautiful book filled with gorgeous photos, delightful captions and interesting 'teaching text' for the older readers!!  A well thought out book, indeed!  Now, I am waiting patiently for John Donaho to come up with an adult 'coffee table' book of more of his incredible photographs! I highly recommend There's a Bug in My Blossom to one and all -- it is one of my favorites!
2494181
Usually, I don't talk much about the physical book itself in my reviews, but I have to spend some time on just how incredibly breathtaking The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is. As you can see from the cover, the illustrations are beautiful. My only quibble with Vess' artwork would be that his people look a bit creepy at times, but he excels at other animals and nature. All throughout the book, his illustrations appear in full color and it's worth taking time to really look at them. As an added bonus, if you remove the dust jacket, there's a different illustration underneath, and it's beautiful as well. Everything about the packaging of this book is beautiful.

The movie The Aristocats includes a song called "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat." Turns out that's not true. Young Lillian is out wandering the forest near her home one day when she gets tired and settles down to a nap. While she's sleeping, a poisonous snake bites her. As she's laying there dying, the wild cats of the forest come upon her and decide, at the risk of angering the Father of Cats, to save this girl who leaves milk out for them. The cats have magic, as much in the forest does. They turn her into a kitten, which sets her on a journey to recover her girl body and to do so with her life just as she left it (minus the snakebite).

Unsurprisingly, the non-human animals really steal the show. My personal favorite is the fox, T. H. Reynolds, a very fine and upstanding gent. Though naturally a predator to kittens, he becomes Lillian's ally in her quest. He's funny, sly, and completely adorable. I love that the animals all work together, but retain their individual natures, not really coming across as particularly anthopomorphized, but more like the reader can now understand their way of communication.

One of the main themes woven neatly throughout The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is that of being kind to those in the world around you. Lillian leaves extra chicken feed out for the undomesticated birds, milk out for the wild cats, and biscuits out for the Apple Tree Man. She doesn't do this in expectation of help, but, in the end, her generosity earns her help when she needs it. Lillian's trusting nature and kindness are what make her capable of achieving her happy ending. De Lint gets this message across without any sort of preaching at all.

Whether the story itself interests you or not, it's worth picking up a copy for the gorgeous illustrations, and you just might find yourself sucked into the story as well. This is an excellent story to read with younger children or for middle grade independent readers.
4265670
This book is magnificent.  It is beautiful, stunning, and so much fun!  Art plus poetry -- that will delight anyone of any age.  I have given it for multiple gifts, and I can't quit looking at it myself.  Get one for yourself, and you will want more to share.
4959904
This is a quality, stunning beautiful book. Enormous with beautiful color illustrations on every page. I bought it as a present for a young woman and after it arrived I decided to get one for myself too, for those times when you just want to be entertained in a lovely and fun way.
1901305
Gorgeous book celebrating the eclectic, the eccentric, and likely all that you expected if enticed to purchase this book because of the title or cover.
1418166
Beautifully photographed, beautifully described, beautiful book.!
2521094
Gorgeously illustrated! Will make book lovers say "This is a beautiful book".
466858
This book is absolutely gorgeous. I can spend hours gushing over the beautifully styled homes and get inspired by the words and images in the pages. I have book marked quite a few pages and crafts which I can't wait to try and emulate. This book gives so many neat ideas and I am so glad to have it!
3023282
This is a gorgeous coffee table book. Each photo captivates -- the skill of the performer and the photographer in each is clear. It's also nice that this book celebrates varied forms of drag. Fishy queens and pageant queens are gorgeous, but it takes all types to make the rainbow bright. I love it.
3649649
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen!! The pictures are stunning!!
3008532
I can't get enough of this book! Every time I look at it, I find something new. The images are beautiful and the colors are so vibrant! It explores different animals as well as customs in different parts of the world with simple, yet humorous dialogue. Plus there are great cling stickers inside the book which adds an activity factor. I would highly recommend it.  You will enjoy every page!
2639861
I don't know how else to describe it but this book feels like a classic - the detail and beauty of the illustrations is incredible and seems like a throwback to the children's books we all grew up with - filled with adorable fluffy animals in humorous situations.  A gorgeous book.
3245707
This is a beautiful book - and large! I actually have it electronically, but the physical book is so beautiful too and often I just go through it and gaze and the paintings and drawings. This isn't expensive either to tell the truth. I may get more as gifts. This is a beautiful book - just lovely!
4440461
This is an absolutely beautiful book.  If you are a fan of Harry Potter, you really need to get this.  It is stunning in the amount of detail and photographs.  You will be amazed at the sheer amount of beautiful photos and concept art.  It is well worth full price, so you really can't pass up the deal Amazon has this for.