Ocean City's Pip the Beach Cat makes waves with new children's book
Ocean City's favorite cat is continuing to grow in popularity with the release of a self-published book.
Within the last year, Pip the Beach Cat has made a name for himself during his adventures in the resort town, garnering more than 15,000 followers on Facebook.
When Pip wasn't trekking the beaches, riding a paddle board, or taking a dip in the ocean in recent months, he was working on a children's book about things to do in Ocean City.
"Pip's Guide to Ocean City Vol. I," narrated by none other than Pip himself, focuses on the favorite locations and activities of Pip's owner Emily Meadows and her family.
"We wanted to capture some of what is in Ocean City now before it is gone, including buildings, businesses and trends," said Meadows, who ghostwrote the book. "As an Ocean City native, I am so proud of this book and the activities it captures."
According to Meadows, the book was inspired by activities she and her family did when she was a kid. The book includes locations she wants the new generation of children to know about while still providing a nostalgia factor for adults who grew up in or visited Ocean City.
Read more on Pip:Ocean City's Beach Cat makes waves with his adventures
"We wrote the book without any monetary compensation from local businesses — meaning what you find in it is what we truly believe represents our town," Meadows said.
Meadows and Pip have also visited several area schools and libraries, where they've held story times with kids, answered questions and taught lessons in kindness toward animals and in the self-publishing process.
"We also teach that if a cat can write a book, so can you," Meadows said. "Behind all of this, our main message is just to bring something really joyful and something really fun."
More photos of Pip below.
"Pip's Guide to Ocean City Vol. I" is available for purchase online at Pip's store, and in person at several locations.
You can find it at The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum on the Boardwalk, and at 'Pip-Up' Shops at The Residence Inn Marriott from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays for guests only, The Commander Hotel from 3-6 p.m. Thursdays for guests and the public, the Residence Inn Marriott from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and Ocean City Gallery on the Boardwalk from 6-8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
If you purchase the book directly from Emily and Pip, you can get a paw-signed copy. You can also get one with a personalized message in the front cover if you buy from Emily and Pip or through Pip's online store.
The book will eventually be available from major retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but those copies won't be signed, Meadows said.
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Fifteen percent of the book's proceeds will be donated to charities including The Cricket Center, Surf Into Integrity and Worcester County Humane Society. Meadows said as Pip attends events, he'll donate $3 from every book to the organizations.
Work on Vol. II is expected to begin this summer, with an anticipated release for next year, Meadows said.
For a complete list of what Pip is up to this summer, check out pipthebeachcat.com.
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