guinea pig care and gifts

boffo books

boffo adj. (slang) Extremely successful; great.

Each of these books comes highly recommended for beginners. All publication information is provided, along with a brief description of the book. Some quoted material is borrowed from the book jackets.

CavyMadness is an Amazon Associate site, so you can purchase these books through amazon.com or amazon.co.uk and support CavyMadness at the same time! Browse the books below, or use the search widget on the right to find anything over at Amazon.

	Poly Pig and Sweetie Find a Home/ Poly Pig und Sweetie finden ein Zuhause (German edition) available directly from the authour. Poly Pig and Sweetie live in a pet store and are waiting for a good home. Hannah is a little girl who would love to own a pet; after careful research the family decides to buy guinea pigs. Poly Pig and Sweetie make a new friend, Lollipop. The three guinea pigs have scary moments when the children leave them outside unsupervised, but it all ends well. Illustrations are crafted from felt, beads, and glue. $11.95 per book, plus $5.00 per book for s/h within the USA; $10.00 per book for International. Contact the author at: Bellarobi@aol.com
	The Adventures of Brownie Bear and Butterscotch: School's Out! buy it through amazon.com (US) by Leah McNeil; illustration by Jude Colangelo Softcover; published June 2006 Brownie Bear and Butterscotch are guinea pigs that just finished up a long school year. Not only are they brother and sister pigs, but also the Best of Friends and they enjoy a very nice life with their parents. While their parents go to work, they experience their first day of summer vacation, having all kinds of fun and doing all the things that guinea pigs love to do!
	Last of Their Kind Available at the Winking Cavy Store by Peter Gurney, posthumous April 2007 Following the great response to Peter Gurney's earlier books All of Their Kind & More of Their Kind, Peter's family have published his final tribute to the "wee beasties" who were such a huge part of Peter's life. In the months before he died, Peter Gurney was working on this book. He never tired of writing about and photographing his favourite animals and in this book we are given an insight to ‘life with Peter’, as seen from the eyes of his guinea pigs. This book is on a limited distribution, so purchase through the Winking Cavy Store (and buy other lovely things while you're at it!)
	The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk by Peter Gurney November 1999 Paperback and hardcover; 256 pages TFH/Kingdom ISBN: 0793831512 Peter Gurney is a well-loved author of guinea pig books, known for his friendly, uplifting style of writing and unconditional love for the "wee beasties." Plenty of personal anecdotes make Peter feel like an old friend. These books are written with an undeniable enthusiasm and wit that will make even the casual guinea pig observer understand the joy and wonder in caring for these lovely animals. The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs "is written with a remarkable clarity and a contagious enthusiasm for what the author calls "the most wonderful animal in the world.'" Covering all aspects of care with compassion and insight, this book is an excellent start for beginners.
	What's My Guinea Pig? buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk by Peter Gurney November 1999 Paperback and hardcover; 256 pages TFH/Kingdom ISBN: 1852790342 Sharing his London flat with over 80 of the wee ones, Peter has a wealth of information about the different breeds of guinea pigs. In What's My Guinea Pig, he showcases "their exquisite beauty" through a study of the different coat types, patterns and mixtures of breeds.
	The Sex Life of Guinea Pigs (UK) By Peter Gurney buy it through amazon.co.uk September 2000 hardcover; 48 pages TFH/Kingdom ISBN: 1852791330 The Sex Life of Guinea Pigs, for those who are interested in the reproductive processes of guinea pigs, "is a fascinating guide to the courtship, mating, pregnancy, birth and rearing" of cavies. The photos of mummy piggies with their babies are just adorable.
	I am Your Pet Guinea Pig (Best Friends Care Guides) buy it through amazon.co.uk By Matthew Rayner, BVetMed MRCVS April 2006 paperback; 32 pages Pangolin Books ISBN: 18444930254 This is a very child-friendly book that shows the basics in an easy-to-read, cute, and friendly manner. The book is directed at children, so the tone is happy. Thankfully, the book includes this passage: "You will need an adult to help you take care of me. He or she will make sure that we are both safe and well, and that we do not hurt each other by mistake."
	Guinea Pig: Your Happy Healthy Pet buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk By Audrey Pavia April 2005 (2nd ed.) hardcover; 128 pages Howell Book House ISBN: 0764583832 I am a bit biased toward this book, since I provided almost all of the photos in it. :) This is a good general overview of guinea pigs, but some of the information is not ideal, since this is a "general pet store" book.
	Guinea Pigs : A Complete Pet Owner's Manual (Barron's Family Pet Series) buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk by Katrin Behrend, Helgard Niewisch (Translator) August 1998 paperback; 64 pages Barron's Educational Series ISBN: 0764106708 Behrend's book is both adult- and child-friendly, as she discusses all aspects of guinea pig care in an easy-to-understand format, providing sections written with younger guinea pig enthusiasts in mind. The photos and drawings are adorable. A very good beginner book.
	Collins Family Pet Guides: Guinea Pig (UK) buy it through amazon.co.uk By Peter Gurney August 1999 Paperback and hardcover; 128 pages Collins (HarperCollins) ISBN: 0004133889 Written in his usual warm, witty style, this is another care and culture guide by well-loved author Peter Gurney. The layout is set up so that even junior cavy enthusiasts can easily follow the sections. This is a great starting book for anyone.
	A New Owner's Guide to Guinea Pigs buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk By Karen Bawoll October 2000 Hardcover; 160 pages TFH Publications (US) ISBN: 0793828309 Another well-rounded book that will take you through all aspects of guinea pig care. Karen even touches on genetics that determine characteristics of different breeds. Even with advanced information, this book never overwhelms. An excellent reference!
	How to Look After Your Pet Guinea Pigs (ASPCA Pet Care Guides for Kids) buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk Mark Evans September 1992 Paperback and hardcover; 45 pages DorlingKindersley/Angus&Robertson (HarperCollins) ISBN: 156458125X The good thing about Dorling Kindersley books is their layout - very easy to follow, ideal for young readers and covering only the very basics. The bad thing about Dorling Kindersley books is their limited scope. But don't pass on this one just yet; get this as a first look into caring for guinea pigs, and then be prepared to follow up with a more in-depth book. Or, if you're a parent, buy a book for you, and get this book for your child. Heck, buy this one just for the photos!
	Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs (Library of Veterinary Practice) buy it through amazon.com (US) buy it through amazon.co.uk by V.C.G. Richardson May 2000, 2nd edition Blackwell Science Inc. ISBN: 0632052090 Not a beginner book, but an excellent reference nonetheless. Most aspects of guinea pig medicine are covered in this book, which has been a popular reference manual for veterinarians. Keep in mind, though, that it can be outdated. Richardson, a 20-year veteran of cavy medicine, supplements traditional medicine with herbal and homeopathic remedies. This book should not replace veterinary care, but rather give the cavy enthusiast a better understanding of the biology and various health issues of guinea pigs.