NEW YORK, NY - In her debut children's picture book, "Barry Bodega," Maggs Salad introduces Barry, a bodega cat searching for friendship and family in New York City. Debuting at this week's Book Expo at the Javits Center.
Barry Bodega gives city kids and parents a book that they can relate to. Over the course of 24 colorful pages, Barry learns that our differences not only make us unique, but bring us together – and that in a diverse city, friends are family.
"New York City kids needed a book about their environment. Most children's picture books are about farms and suburban life leaving millions of kids living in urban cities underrepresented." Maggs Salad - author and illustrator
Bodegas are small neighborhood convenience stores that carry a variety of products including: sodas, paper products, snacks, shaving gels, fresh sandwiches.
Bodega cats are iconic figures most often used to control the stores rodents but recently they have popularized on social media - shown sleeping on bags of chips or helping at the register.
Bodega cats have a special place in New Yorker's hearts:
- In 2016, Nicholas McMurry petitioned Mayor Bill Deblasio to legalize bodega cats - the petition received over 6,000 signatures. Though the petition was unsuccessful it showed that neighborhood cats are very common and beloved by customers and owners in New York City.
- According to one Instagram user: "A bodega cat is as sacred as an Egyptian temple cat and the punishment for speaking ill of one should be harsh and swift." cite: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/claws-don-mess-new-york-bodega-cats-article-1.2845831
- Social media loves bodegas and cats:
- Instagram posts
- #cats: 143M+
- #cat : 64M+
- #bodega: 427,000+
- #bodegacat: 11k+
- #bodegacatsofinstagram: 4,155
- @bodegacats_ : 100k+ followers
Bodegas represent small business in many cities. With a number of big box stores including 7-11 and Target moving into New York City - bodegas and bodega cats will become just one more beloved NYC institution of the past. Maggs Salad - author and illustrator
Book summary
Barry is a bodega cat, a lovable oddball searching for friendship and family in New York City. Barry and the rest of the colorful cast of characters will have children laughing and flipping the pages to see what happens next. His heartwarming journey is a gentle reminder that friends and family can come in many colors, shapes, and sizes.
"Barry Bodega"
By: Maggs Salad
Hardcover | 8.5 x 11 in | 24 pages | ISBN 9781480857858
Available at Amazon, Dinosaur Hill, Blue Stockings, and Exit 9
About the author
Maggs Salad resides in the East Village with three small dogs and her rescue cat Kitty. Her love of animals started early on her parents' “farm” in Orange, California where she helped raise dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, albino peacocks, a goat, and her beloved sheep Curly. Her projects range from children’s books to music videos and she is always looking to collaborate. Maggs Salad is available for any in-school readings – contact today.
