Snatch That Cat--Children's Book from the Mind of a Three-Year-Old

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manassas, Virginia, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 17, 2012 -- Fifteen years ago, author Larry Buttram, from Manassas Park, Virginia, was playing a game with his three-year-old niece, Lauren , when she made an interesting comment. Said Lauren, “Uncle Larry, I think someone should invent a game called, “Snatch That Cat.” When Buttram asked how the game would be played, his niece only stated, “I don’t know how you would play it—it’s just about a little girl trying to steal a cat.”

While the concept for the game seemed interesting, over time the idea faded from Buttram’s mind. Then, a couple of years ago, after having finished his fifth book, The Curtain Torn, the “Snatch That Cat” idea returned to Buttram. But the idea came back not as a children’s game, but as a child’s picture book. Soon the story began to take shape. Spoiled little rich girl, Susie Bipp, fell in love with her neighbor’s beautiful black cat, Simon. When her attempt to purchase the cat was unsuccessful, Suzie went to her back-up plan—stealing Simon from his Mistress, Mrs. Payne. But Susie soon discovers that things don’t always turn out as planned, and all of her attempts to kidnap the cat ended up in disaster.

While Buttram has been writing most of his life, he had never attempted a picture book, and had no talent as an illustrator. However he was fortunate enough to have another writer introduce him to Paul Richardson, and American Illustrator living in Japan.

Paul Richardson was born in Los Angeles and has been doodling ever since he was child. Traditional drawing and painting were his interest until he discovered clay. This led to an interest in Japanese craft and culture. After multiple visits to Japan and receiving a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003, he worked as a graphic artist that evolved into a visual effects artist for feature film. However, Japan remained such a strong source of inspiration that he packed his bags and moved there. He currently works as an English teacher 30 minutes outside of Tokyo, moonlighting as an artist. His art career is beginning to blossom again under new light as a Children’s book illustrator. Snatch That Cat is Paul’s first computer generated children’s book. Although original sketches were made to create the gestures, all the pages were redrawn using a computer to create the lines, colors and text.

Said Buttram, “I can’t imagine that anyone could have done a better job with my book than Mr. Richardson. He’s an extremely talented artist and has done a wonderful job of bringing to life Susie and Simon.”

Snatch That Cat is available as an ebook through Amazon Kindle, https://kindle.amazon.com/, or Barnes & Noble Nook, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/NOOK-Books. A printed version is also available at www.larrybuttram.com. For a preview of the book go to http://db.tt/dzinGPtG. You may also email Mr. Buttram at lab1949@verizon.net or Mr. Richardson at richaadoson@gmail.com