As the holidays approach and shopping begins, Encinitas children’s book author and animal advocate Kathleen Kastner wants to help animals by encouraging people to adopt rescue cats. Kastner will officially release the third book in her Karma Cats picture book series, Karma Cats Kitten Adventure, on Nov 14, according to a news release.
About the book: Join Julian and Oliver on a thrilling new adventure as they help two street kittens struggling to survive without their mom. Along the way, they face daring challenges and unexpected surprises that test their bravery and determination to live.Will the kittens be reunited with their mom? Find out in this heartwarming story of kindness, friendship and the powerful bond of family.
Kastner based the story on her brother/sister kittens, Alijah Blue and Olivia Sue, who were rescued in Tijuana in 2020. They were transferred to the Rescue House in Encinitas, where Kastner and her husband adopted them.
“When Olivia Sue was found, her rescuers said she was the size of a small mouse. She had to have her right eye removed, due to an infection from living on the streets. I’ll be forever grateful to the people who saved Olivia Sue and Alijah Blue. They came into my life after the real Karma Cats, Julian and Oliver, passed and have brought me much joy and hope for the future,” Kastner said in the news release. The kittens are now four years old and are thriving. They love their big brother Noah, featured in Kastner’s first book, Karma Cats to the Rescue. She adopted Noah from Rancho Coastal Humane Society, where she is a volunteer.
Kastner was inspired to write Karma Cats Kitten Adventure after adopting Alijah Blue and Olivia Sue and from her experience of being an animal shelter volunteer for over 10 years.
“It’s the most rewarding volunteer experience I have ever had in my life. I love giving shelter cats playtime, affection and comfort, while they await their forever homes. I feel like I am making a positive difference in their lives, which is meaningful to me. Pet relinquishment and abandonment have increased since 2020, after people adopted pets during Covid. I hope Karma Cats Kitten Adventure will inspire people to adopt rescue cats and pets and to keep them as family members for life,” said Kastner in the news release.
Kastner does storytime events at schools and libraries, for children ages 2-8. She talks to kids about being kind to animals and their friends, like the Karma Cats, who are superheroes of kindness. Her books are available on Amazon and on her website: www.kathleenkastner.com.
Kastner is the creator of the Karma Cats franchise, which will eventually include a TV series, as well as the children’s book series: Karma Cats to the Rescue, Karma Cats to the Farm and Karma Cats Kitten Adventure. She holds a M.S. in education and a B.S in journalism from the University of Kansas.