From Cygnus Books:
"Cleverly written in the style of ancient Chinese teaching tales, these delightful stories convey spiritual wisdom as a cat would teach it.... if only a cat could talk! After each story, there follows a reflection on its meaning, also perfectly parodying the style of ancient Chinese spiritual texts. Under the guidance of the ‘Great Mouser’, you’ll be amazed how much wisdom you can gain, wisdom that can open the door to a life that balances inner peace with passion, and seeking with finding. The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma is a perfect gift for any cat lover."
From the Milwaukee Journal:
Stuff to do, to buy, to talk about, Posted: Sept. 21, 2005, Sound of one cat purring
Ah, Grasshopper. You have achieved wisdom through the teachings of Confucius. Now gain enlightenment through the teachings of an ancient philosopher cat in the new book "The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma" (Ulysses Press, $12.95).
Joanna Sandsmark's book contains writings allegedly unearthed in a tomb in China, ancient scrolls that have just been translated from the original feline-Mandarin. Among the pearls of knowledge from the revered wiseacre, um, wisecat:
ï "When you run from what frightens you, remember that the higher you climb, the thinner the branch."
ï "When standing on sand, bury your waste, not your head."
- Jackie Loohauis
From Vision Magazine:
“In a sandstone tomb deep in the Takla Maklan Desert in Northwestern China, archaeologists unearthed a treasure trove of ancient scrolls written by the world’s first cat philospher, Yo Meow Ma.” Cats love me. Why? Because I’m allergic to them and they know it. Cats are very smart. So it’s no surprise that this book works. It is delightful, full of a wisdom dispensed by the (fictional?) character of Yo Meow Ma. “You have as much power over the movements of a mouse as you have over the power of the wind. Do not destroy your happiness by worrying over what you cannot control”, says Yo, and how right she is. See a bit of yourself in all the stories and marvel at the observational powers of this cat! Buy this book, particularly if you have a friend who likes cats. Anyone who has watched cats at length (in my case, arm’s length), will know that they speak spiritually and wisely if you are silent long enough to listen. Go on, buy one – as the Master Mouser herself says “Live each of your nine lives as if you have only one”!
From the Dallas Morning News:
ASK THE CAT: The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma, by Joanna Sandsmark, is a spiritual guide from the ancient Chinese philosopher cat. Pop the book open like a can of Fancy Feast and enjoy yourself. For example, "Live each of your nine lives as if you only had one." Such a smart kitty.
-- Dan R. Barber
From Strandbooks.com
"The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma" is a delightful take on spirituality. The teachings are compiled as the ancient teachings of the world's first philosopher cat, Yo Meow Ma. It may be a fictional story, but it vividly illustrates the culmination of the wisdom of cats and humankind. This wisdom is key to a better life, spiritually speaking and otherwise. Hilarious and touching, "The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma" is the perfect book for anyone looking for spiritual guidance as seen through the eyes of a cat.
From Chicagoland Tails
The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma: A Spiritual Guide from the Ancient Chinese Philosopher Cat
By Joanna Sandsmark
(Ulysses Press)
We hate leaving our feline friends out when it comes to celebratory situations, so this one is for the mousers. This enjoyable book of life lessons is told through the fanciful eyes of Yo Meow Ma, an ancient cat philosopher whose scrolls were unearthed from a tomb in China. Yo Meow Ma spreads his wisdom through allegorical tales, like that of Yao Lee, the lazy cat whose story cautions readers to not to leave their happiness in the hands of others. In the wise words of Yo Meow Ma, “Live each of your nine lives as if you have only one.”
From Amazon.com:
5 stars: Absolutely the best gift for cat lovers, September 16, 2005 Reviewer: Booklover (Midwest)
If you want to be delighted, moved, and inspired, run to buy this book! And you won't find a better gift for all your cat loving friends. The Wisdom of Yo Meow Ma is engaging and entertaining, but at it's heart it is a book full of profound spiritual insight. Joanna Sandsmark is a gifted writer. Do yourself a favor and don't pass this one up.
5 stars: I always knew cats were smart, September 15, 2005 Reviewer: V. Parv (Australia)
Now we have the "proof" in this delightful volume that deserves to be on every catlover's gift list this holiday season. Not only is it beautifully presented and illustrated, but the wisdom is a treat. Written, so we're told, by Yo Meow Ma, the first of the philosopher cats, and "translated" adroitly by Joanna Sandsmark, the book provides insights into universal wisdom that resonate far beyond catkind. How to be bird-bound rather than mouse-bound, balance relationships, deal with territorial invaders, it's all here in gently feline phrasing. As Yo Meow Ma himself says, "Although rewards are sweet, sometimes it is the journey that is the true nectar." And sometimes it's in the reading about it.
