The Tail of Ailsa

This book is a cloth-bound Limited Edition of 150 numbered copies, signed by the illustrator and the author. It is a book for cat lovers of all ages, adults and children alike, as well as for art lovers. It recounts the tale of Ailsa, a true cat who arrived on Ruth's doorstep as a kitten and stayed the rest of her eventful life. Ailsa was one of those originals who delighted in exploring the world around her and got herself into all sorts of mischievous tangles. The loss of her tail did nothing to deter her. In fact she became the mother of kittens, fathered by her very good friend Whitey, who plays a charismatic supporting role in the unfolding tale. Canadian artist Ruth MacLean has captured the essence of a catness with masterly and colourful paper cut-outs. Scottish writer Catherine Wilson has matched the pictures with charming and witty verses that dance to the rhythm of Ailsa's mischief.

About the Author :
Ruth MacLean (Illustrator) Ruth MacLean was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In her young years she had a cat, and many more followed. Ailsa, the subject of the book, was a very special one. Ruth studied art at the University of Guelph and later at Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario. Her family connections brought her to the Isle of Islay in Scotland, where she worked for several years on a sheep farm. Here she enjoyed learning to spin wool and the art of using natural dyes. She makes "Earth and Spirit" dolls using materials that she collects from her walks in the hills and on the beach. She also paints landscapes. Ruth delights in the simplicity of scissors and paper, with which she created her intriguing cat cut-outs. Catherine Wilson (Author) Catherine Wilson was born in Scotland and from the age of seven, spent much of her time travelling - in tow with her diplomatic parents. The Isle of Islay provided the family with a home base, where many happy holidays were spent. She has recently made Islay her permanent home. She studied art at Ruskin School of Fine Art in Oxford and at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, and then went out to train as a teacher in East Africa. As a teacher of English in African Secondary Schools, she began her writing career working on plays that could be acted by her African pupils. Later she joined the BBC as a writer/producer, then became a free-lance writer of English as Foreign Language text books. Throughout, she continued to paint landscapes and exhibited both solo and in group shows. In 1994 she trained as an art therapist. She firmly believes in the value of creative self-expression as a way of giving meaning to life.

Review :
This beautifully produced little book is a bit of a surprise - it is one of those productions that seems to be aimed at neither children or adults - but you soon become attuned to the fact that it is accurately aimed at that most dedicated band of pet-owners that transcend all age ranges - the cat lovers. Those of you whose lives are organized around the various requirements of your furry felines will extract a rueful smile or a cheery chuckle from every colorful page and every whimsical tale.Very loosely based on the autobiographical musings of a cat called Ailsa the elegantly sparse layouts and strong yet subtle colors of the block drawings make for a real page turner. It is a sunny book - a little ray of sunshine - a feel good book that purrs and bounces along just like Tabitha and Marmalade and Rhubarb and of course Ailsa. Those of you who have cats will understand. Those of you who don't should buy one for someone who does - and they will thank you and perhaps try to explain. (ILEACH "Community Newspaper of the Year" 23-06-07). With the honorable exception of tabbys, domesticated cats tend to come in the darkest of hues but that doesn't stop this collection of poems and illustrations from being a riot of color. Seventeen years in the life of Ailsa, a spirited and inquisitive feline, are depicted in technicolour style by Canadian artist Ruth MacLean, Ailsa's adoptive owner, and Islay-dwelling writer Catherine Wilson. The one-time stray is shown breaking eggs, toppling vases and leaping in the shower and her pawprints are, literally, all over this book, adorning the pages that aren't lit up by the cut-out illustrations. The pun in the title is, unfortunately, all too appropriate, as Ailsa lost her tail after an unexplained incident but her zest for life was undimmed and she had the companionship of a mate who became the father of her kittens. Poems about cats will always evoke thoughts of TS Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" but, while "The Tail of Ailsa" is rather different in essence, Ailsa's mischief and character mean she could easily slot in alongside "Macavity" and "Mr Mistoffeles" in the parade of enchanting puss poetry. (THE PRESS AND JOURNAL 06-10-07)