A Book With Heart and Beauty: Sal Finds A Forever Home, by Diana Alvear, Illustrated By Chandler Strange

Not since the arrival of The Chronicles of Zee and Zoey  by Deb Barnes, have I audibly gasped at the beauty of the packaging that was used to ship a book. Both Deb's book and  Sal Finds A Forever Home, by Diana Alvear where both packaged and shipped with the utmost care, and an astute eye for presentation.

Meticulously wrapped in pink tissue paper (why, oh why did I forget to photograph it!?, No worries!! I may have forgotten to photograph it but Diana didn't!) I found a photo that shows how the book was wrapped on Diana's Facebook page!

 I grinned like the Cheshire Cat when "Sal" arrived!

Cover courtesy of www.salpals.com

It is the kind of children's book cover that causes  you to handle the book ever-so-gently in an effort to not mar its' beauty. I lovingly touched it and gazed at the cover which is so pretty that it beckons you inside...

This delightful children's book is simply captivating,
 inside and out.

The sherbet colored cover, as well as the hand-painted, water color illustrations throughout the book carrying on the delicate sherbet,  blush-like hues, were all painted  by Chandler Strange. 

Sal Finds A Forever Home, was written by Diana Alvear, and is based on Diana's real-life kitty of the same name, who was her "soul kitty."  It tells the story of Sal as he waits at the shelter, hoping to find his forever home.

While the book is geared towards children, ANYONE who has adopted and loved a cat will be deeply touched by the magic that happens when a cat CHOOSES US. We just know.

Photo Courtesy of  www,salpals.com

"ONE SMALL CAT. ONE MIGHTY HEART. SAL WAS A SHELTER KITTY WHOSE SWEET SOUL LED US TO CREATE A WORTHWHILE LEGACY IN HIS NAME: TO HELP HOMELESS PETS."

Photo Courtesy of Salspals.com

"Sals Pals:Salvatore Valentino Alvear was quite the little cat. He stole Diana's heart in 2003 while waiting for his forever home at the Washington Animal Rescue League. Together they crisscrossed the country, making many friends along the way. Sal was a special needs kitty - he had a heart murmur & took pills for his hypothyroidism every day. That didn't stop him from charming both cat and non-cat people (who quickly realized they were cat people all along!) He would hang out during parties & welcome people with a pat from his paw. While he was not a big cat, he was the Alpha male in any room, regardless of cat or person.

Sal was Diana's best friend, her soul kitty, and when he passed over the rainbow bridge, she vowed to create a legacy in his memory.

That legacy is Sal Pals.

Sal, Everybody's Pal, is the first story in a new series! Children (as well as adults),  will fall in love with sweet Sal and his pals Stormy and Lucky, while learning important lessons: that it's best to adopt pets from shelters, not buy them from stores, and that all animals deserve love, dignity and respect, no matter their age or health."

I would like to thank Diana Alvear for the opportunity to read Sal Finds A Forever Home. Having found my Angel Bobo, (MY "soul kitty!),  as a stray, and being blessed to share his life for 18 years,  then adopting Cody at an adoption drive held by Petsmart, the love that Diana felt (and feels) for Sal, is a love that there aren't words enough to adequately convey. It is a love that is deep, raw, and eternal. How blessed all of us that have the honor of being  loved by cats are!

To purchase click here
10% of the profits from sales of the book will go to support animal rescue groups. 

Learn more about Diana on her website:

www.dianaalvear.com