Lisa Shaffer just wanted to increase her library’s social media presence and came up with a clever idea. She started dressing her cat, Horatio (named after the Hamlet character, surely) in little outfits to make him look like famous literary characters, and had him pose next to the book. She started posting them to Instagram every “Caturday” and it was a big hit! Now they’ve expanded their range for actors, artists, and musicians too. Horatio does it all.

He’s very well behaved and holds still for the adorable photos, which is far more than you can expect from your average cat! He’s been everyone from Mary Queen of Scots to Katniss Everdeen. Here are just some of the best ones.

1) Griet, from The Girl with the Pearl Earring

The details here are amazing, I’m cracking up! Dutch oil painter Johannes Vermeer’s iconic painting is so stunning that it inspired a book some 400 years later, and, naturally, a movie based on the book.

Horatio looks just as beautiful as the woman in the oil painting and even has the side profile down perfectly. A+ on this one!

2) Horatio the Activist

In honor of World Pride Month, Horatio is featuring an eye-opening novel exploring the gay rights movement. The Stone Wall Riots were pivotal in getting the LGBTQ+ community to where they are today, but there is still much work to be done! Horatio’s adorable rainbow necktie and “purrsist” protest sign show his (and the library’s) solidarity with the community.

3) Daenarys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons from Game of Thrones

I love the cat-sized Iron Throne! And the scene is even complete with a little Drogon at her side. The series has made it to the top 10 on USA Today’s list of best selling book list, and was a hit for the entire 8 seasons it was on TV. So it’s no wonder the library wanted to make an ode to the series, and the Mad King’s daughter.

4) Mary Queen of Scots

Look at the little yarn cat-sized wig! I’m swooning. Lisa must be making these outfits from scratch, because I can’t imagine there’s a huge demand for 16th century royalty cat costumes. Little Horatio looks so regal, he belongs on the throne. Hopefully he learned from Mary’s mistakes and doesn’t try to overthrow the current crown! (I would support him though.)

5) Walter White from Breaking Bad

This little guy doesn’t look like he could run a meth lab operation! But then again… neither did Walter White. Just call Horatio Heisenberg! The little touch with his name as a chemical element at the back killed me.

6)

Althea Gibson was a talented athlete and became the first African-American person to win a Grand Slam tennis title in the late 1920s. I am obsessed with Horatio’s little cat-sized tennis racket, and what I assume is a child’s polo shirt. Too cute!

7) Apollo 11

Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon when the Apollo 11 space mission landed in 1969. The movie features real footage from the historic moment, and was a smash hit at the box office. It has 99% on rotten tomatoes! I’m sure after this adorable (and very detailed) photo of Horatio was posted, the demand for this movie sky rocketed at the library.

8) Gandalf the Grey

Horatio looks like a wise old wizard in this one! His little hat and staff are too perfect, and I’m always a fan of the yarn wigs (and beard, in this case) his mama makes up for him. “You shall not pass!”

9) Winifred Sanderson from Hocus Pocus

A halloween favorite, Hocus Pocus has to be one of the best, and funniest, spooky films of all time. And Horatio fits right in!

10) Harper Lee and Terry Pratchett

What’s the connection here? Well these two literary influencers happen to share the same birthday! Horatio and a look-a-like friend dressed up to honor these iconic authors on April 28th. Do you share a birthday with any writers?

11) Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games

Horatio volunteered as tribute for this one. Look at that little bow and quiver of arrows! He looks ready to start a rebellion and take on the Capitol and I am here for it.

12) Mrs. Doubtfire

Horatio knows a little something about being a man dressed as a woman, as Lisa is always putting him in adorable cat-drag for the ‘Gram. Everything down to the pipe cleaner glasses and knowing, wise-nanny look is spot on.

13) The Phantom of the Opera

I wonder if Horatio sings as beautifully as The Phantom. I’m sure if he does, it’s at 3 o’clock in the morning when his mama is trying to sleep! He is a cat, after all.

14) Dracula

Traditionally, Dracula turns into a bat, but it’s 2020 and there’s nothing to say he can’t also choose to be an adorable tabby cat. Is Horatio wearing a costume… or is he secretly a vampire? Show us those little fangs!

15) Elsa, from Frozen

In one of their latest posts, the adorable tabby is dressed as Elsa. A literary icon? No. But a fan favorite? Without a doubt! The post was shared in celebration of Indina Menzel (the voice of Elsa)’s birthday.

He doesn’t look like he’s absolutely loving the yarn wig, but he sure looks cute! Just let it go, Horatio.

The library’s page has now gained more than 4,000 followers, which is more than most local libraries could ever dream of! Lisa and Horatio are also inspiring people around the world to do more reading. Aren’t you much more likely to enjoy Lord of the Rings when you can picture Gandalf as an adorable cat?

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Source: Instagram, Hindustan Times