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Marquette resident publishes first book

The cover of “The Hungry Kitten’s Tale” is pictured. It is the first book published by Elizabeth Fust of Marquette. The book retells the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fust)

MARQUETTE — The tale of a hungry feline can be a parable, and one that children can understand.

Marquette resident and Northern Michigan University graduate Elizabeth Fust recently published a book, “The Hungry Kitten’s Tale.”

Illustrated by part-time Minnesota resident Mary MacArthur, the book’s tagline is: “It only takes five loves of bread, two fish, one cat, and a kind stranger to make a miracle.”

This is Fust’s first book, which she has self-published through Rivershore Books, based in Minneapolis.

“It’s a retelling of the Miracle of Loaves and Fishes,” Fust said. “It’s from a kitten’s perspective.”

Without giving away too much of the story, the book centers on a kitten named Kit that looks for food in a place where food is hard to come by.

That place, she said, is Bethsaida, a town on the Sea of Galilee.

“He’s a stray cat, always looking for dinner, always looking for a place to sleep,” Fust said.

Coming into play is a boy who has bread and fish, which as the tale goes, multiplies through extraordinary means.

Fust said she had to research the location of the original miracle, with scholars noting there were several possible places.

So, she went with Bethsaida, and tried to make it as accurate as she could for what little she knew.

Fust works in marketing for GEI Consultants, Inc., based in Marquette, but has had a literary bent for years.

“I’ve been writing since I was little,” she said, “and I wrote a lot of children’s stories.”

In fact, she acknowledged probably having written “A Kitten’s Tale” when she was about 10.

An avocation, though, usually has to be developed.

So, Fust majored in English/writing at Northern Michigan University. She also interned at Rivershore Books during college, and joined the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association.

“The next step was actually finding a publisher for my book,” Fust said.

That became Rivershore, which she noted is a non-traditional publishing company that helps with editing and formatting.

“You just have more control over the publishing process,” Fust said.

Amazon reviews of “A Kitten’s Tale” have all been positive.

One reader wrote: “The illustrations are beautiful and it is such a cute story. It is the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people at Bethsaida with only 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Except it is all told from the perspective of a hungry little kitten.”

That reader called “A Kitten’s Tale” an “adorable” book, and recommended it for children of all ages.

Another reviewer said: “We’ve had it a few weeks and it already shows signs of being loved. It’s a new view of a great story.”

Yet another review read: “Such a beautifully written story about finding your way and showing kindness to others! The illustrations are beautiful and children are sure to love Kit. I highly recommend this book to others.”

“The Hungry Kitten’s Tale” is available at Amazon; at Sacred Heart Religious Goods, 419 W. Washington St., Marquette; and several downstate bookstores for $9.99. Fust also will sell and sign books at the St. Louis the King Catholic Church Gift and Rummage Sale, located at the church at 264 S. Silver Creek Road, Harvey, on April 25.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.

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