Press Release Download:
Pixie, the Philosopher’s Cat by Maria daVenza Tillmanns.
In Pixie, the Philosopher’s Cat, our Philosopher dialogues with her precious cat about one of her favorite books, which she has decided to read again to help enhance her own understanding of our complicated world. This little book explores issues of trust and integrity, love and friendship, but also blind loyalty and cowardice. Communicating with her cat, the Philosopher escapes the need for words, which so often get tangled and misused. Through this dialogue, Maria daVenza Tillmanns explores the disconnect between our increasing dependence on words and how our use of words often leads us astray and leaves us confused. She worries that meaningful communication has, in fact, broken down. However, in the Philosopher’s exploration of what gives life real value, we discover that other forms of communication based on trust, integrity and truthfulness can once again give our exchange of ideas a North Star.
About The Author: Author of the collection From Tails to Tales, Maria daVenza Tillmanns loves philosophy. Her multicultural background set the stage for her interest in the discipline, which has helped her navigate the contradictory values she grew up with. She has a PhD in philosophy of education and her passion is philosophizing with children, adults and, especially, Pixie Cat, who was the inspiration for this book. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Willy.
Awarded 5 Stars by the Editor at Book Marketing Global Network. If you are or have shared your life with a cat, enjoy art (photos of paintings) and find that life gives you more questions than answers, I encourage you to read “Pixie, the Philosopher’s Cat” by Maria daVenza Tillmanns.
This book is dedicated to Rachel’s 16-year-old calico cat named “Pixie”. Author Maria daVenza Tillmanns expertly uses each exquisite photo to illustrate the story. The Philosopher in this tale shares “the same inquisitive and curious spirit” as Pixie. Her apartment is a sanctuary for her books, art and plants. Her love for art comes from her grandfather, who she never knew. One of her favorite keepsakes is a beautiful review of her grandfather’s art written by well- respected art critic Marcel Sauvage.
Like so many of us, the Philosopher ponders life and contemplates, “Why do so many people yearn for purpose or meaning in their lives, when — it seemed to her, at least — life itself was inherently meaningful? And truly, would Pixie yearn to be something other than the cat she was? The Philosopher gently stroked Pixie’s back and considered. No, she thought, Pixie wouldn’t want to be anything other than Pixie.”
The Philosopher spends her time reading. One of her favorite books is “The Real Thief”, written and illustrated by William Steig. She looks at the cover, then flipped through the book, pausing on each illustration. She loves Steig’s visual interpretation of the story. The drawings are so expressive of the deep feelings the characters experienced — their pride, their joy, their pain and their sorrow.
This tale goes on to share the Philosopher’s thoughts and questions as she reads. The depth of her thought process and questions not only pertain to characters and situations in the book, but to the world, life and people around her. She is left “to ponder about the power of uncertainty”.
As you read, you will form your own questions and opinions. I will let you discover the Philosopher’s conclusion about the state of uncertainty. After you read this book. I invite you to enjoy the whole “Huk and Tuk” (Social Philosophy) series.
Maria daVenza Tillmanns used to teach a “Philosophy with Children” program in underserved San Diego schools in partnership with the University of California, San Diego. In 1980, she attended Dr. Matthew Lipman’s workshop on philosophy for children and later wrote her dissertation on philosophical counseling and teaching under the direction of Martin Buber scholar Dr. Maurice Friedman. She has publications in a number of inter-national journals. For Maria, philosophy is an art form, and she enjoys painting with ideas. Philosophy has helped her navigate the world in all its complexity, including having a multicultural background and having been raised in the US as well as in the Netherlands. She came back to the US to study and moved across the Atlantic multiple times.
Phil People:
https://philpeople.org/profiles/maria-davenza-tillmanns
Author’s Page At Book Marketing Global Network:
https://bookmarketingglobalnetwork.com/book-marketing-global-network/maria-davenza-tillmanns
