He’s a black-and-white boy, just the slightest bit fat.
And, oh...did I say, he’s a curious cat?

SAM KATZ ON THE LOOSE!
(click images below to enlarge)

Authors Frank and Vida Radice with Charles Fazzino, Jay Ireland (President of NBC Networks),
Edward Boks (Executive Director Animal Care & Control of NYC), and Ann Curry (NBC Anchor)
at Barrington Gallery of London's Book Launch Party

(Read Below to See how SAM is Helping his Friends at Animal Care & Control of NYC)

By Frank Radice and Vida Radice
Illustrated by Charles Fazzino

Meow more than ever, the world needs a furry hero—and his name is Sam Katz! Random House is proud to announce the publication of SAM KATZ ON THE LOOSE! (Random House Books for Young Readers / on sale September 13, 2005 / $14.95), featuring illustrations by world-renowned pop artist Charles Fazzino. The publication marks the first time that Fazzino’s astonishing three-dimensional art is available in a picture book format for children. Written by Frank Radice, Senior Vice President of NBC, and his wife Vida, the book is based on the Radice family’s real-life mischievous cat, and chronicles the secret life of one imaginative feline who finds endless amusement and high adventure within the walls of his New York City apartment.

Sam Katz is not your average hum-drum Purina-Cat Chow-eating housecat. Every day, Sam Katz’s owners leave him all alone in an apartment whose walls are hung with paintings of exotic scenes. So where does Sam Katz go when his owners are away? Right into the action of the paintings of course! Nine glittering scenes highlight the fun and far-off destinations that Sam visits, including the zoo, the mountains, and even outer space. Entertaining rhyming text invites readers to find Sam Katz amongst other items, in a Where’s Waldo?-style with a twist. And children will love exploring the scenes in full and often hilarious detail.

Filled with playful rhymes and gorgeous illustrations, SAM KATZ ON THE LOOSE! is a one-of-a-kind picture book that is sure to please pop-art lovers and children alike!

Known around the world as the Master of 3-D Pop Art, Charles Fazzino exhibits his original and distinctive 3-D creations in more than 600 fine art galleries in 15 different countries. Since the late 70's, Fazzino has released over 200 three-dimensional limited editions. Charles Fazzino is involved with charity work such as Rosie O'Donnell's The For All Kids Foundation, and The Make-A-Wish Foundation. He lives with his family in Pelham Manor, New York.

Frank Radice is Senior Vice President of the NBC Agency, East Coast, the in-house advertising and promotion division of the NBC Television Network. He has extensive experience in advertising and promotion, a lengthy background in news production, and was honored with two Dupont Awards and an Emmy. Also an accomplished composer and musician, Frank is co-writer of the award-winning theme music for the Today Show. This is his first children’s book, co-written with his wife, Vida. Sam Katz is one of the first felines ever to appear in bold face in the Post’s Page Six.

Vida Radice was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to London following the Islamic Revolution in 1979. She moved to New York City in the late 80's where she met her Husband, Frank, and became president of her own interior design business. They had their first Sam Katz who lived with them for fifteen years. When he went to kitty heaven they adopted Sam Katz 2 who has been with them for five years. The authors live in New York, NY.

SAM KATZ ON THE LOOSE!
By Frank Radice and Vida Radice; illustrated by Charles Fazzino
A Random House Books for Young Readers hardcover / on sale September 13, 2005
0-375-83120-7 / $14.95 / $21.00 Can. / 24 pages / Ages 3-7
Random House Books for Young Readers is an imprint of the Random House Children’s Books division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG. Visit us on the web at www.randomhouse.com/kids

SAM KATZ APPOINTED OFFICIAL "SPOKESKAT" FOR ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL OF NYC
Sam's Original Home was the Manhattan Shelter of Animal Care of NYC

Sam, the true life pet of Frank and Vida Radice who adopted the celebrated pussycat from ANIMAL CARE of NYC, has decided to use his new-found stardom to support the organization that saved his life from certain tragedy. Through a variety of fundraising and awareness-building efforts, he plans to spread the word about, and raise money for, ANIMAL CARE of NYC, an organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of pets and people in New York City. In his first official announcement, Sam is proud to declare that Charles Fazzino and the Radices pledge to donate a portion of the proceeds from Fazzino’s limited edition art releases based on Sam Katz on the Loose! to ANIMAL CARE of NYC. The artwork, published in conjunction with the book, is available for purchase at any authorized Fazzino gallery. For more information about ANIMAL CARE of NYC, please visit them on the web at www.nycacc.org.