Kung Fu Kitty is altogether unrelated to the major motion picture Kung Fu Panda. The former, an epic undertaking, was begun several years before the latter's release and was shot on a shoestring budget in a small attic room at Abaton's Jersey City headquarters.

The story of Kung Fu Kitty is based on the Biblical book of Exodus, though it features original Chinese characters rather than Hebrew heroes and Egyptian foes. It is enacted by real felines, Frick-the-Cat and her Fuzzy Wuz She bandmate Bony, as well as Abaton newcomer Diamanda. The cats are joined by a host of inanimate furry friends—an elaborate assortment of semi-realistic stuffed monkeys—in a whimsically hand-painted cardboard set built to scale by artist and musician Stirling Krusing.

Kung Fu Kitty will appeal to folklore fans of all ages, entire families, possibly their pets too. This charming tale harkens to days of yore in China, to a mythical time and place where monkeys ruled and cats served. The story is philosophical without being morally aggrandizing and humorous without being base—though monkeys will be monkeys.

While author Lauri Bortz is best known for her critically acclaimed plays, she has been creating children’s literature for decades. Her stories were in high demand by fellow students at South Elementary School, Glencoe, Illinois. Ms. Bortz worked as a nanny throughout her teens and into her twenties, entertaining charges with homespun tales. She received multiple requests from these youngsters and their parents for a “real book.” With Kung Fu Kitty she has finally met these demands.

This book is 116 pages, with 42 richly drawn black and white illustrations. The DVD, shot in high definition color, is 82 minutes long. The musical score is available separately on CD.

A sequel to the book, Kung Fu Kitty: Laying Down the Law, in which this saga is completed, was released recently and is available from Abaton Book Company and through Amazon.

For more information about Lauri Bortz, read her bio.