Last week we wrote on the blog about our favourite fictional canines, and so in a way, this post is practically inevitable – the best cats in children’s books.
During the dog discussion, The Grunts in Trouble author Philip Ardagh attempted to sneak Sergeant Tibbs (the undoubtedly heroic cat from 101 Dalmations) into consideration on Twitter, and the answer was a very firm, “No Cats Allowed”. It seemed terribly unfair to stick to that rule for too long, though, so today we’re giving famous cats in literature the attention they deserve.
There aren’t, to my knowledge, too many cats in starring roles in any Nosy Crow books, though we do have the occasional incidental feline, like the very stylishly dressed moggy from Axel Scheffler’s Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon, pictured above, and an almost-cat in Philip and Axel’s The Grunts series – Ginger Biscuit, a great-big-ginger-cat-shaped doorstop.
And there is – I’ve been reminded on Twitter – an excellent cat, Minky, in The Rescue Princesses: The Snow Jewel by Paula Harrison. Here’s the first chapter:
Here are some of our other favourite cats:
There were numerous votes for Tabby McTat, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Cat in the Hat, by Dr Seuss, and The Owl and The Pussycat by Edward Lear.
Imogen suggested Tabby from The Worst Witch.
Adrian voted for Gobbolino, The Witch’s Cat, and Orlando, the Marmalade Cat.
Mary nominated Rumblewick.
Kristina suggested The Cheshire Cat from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Although it isn’t, strictly speaking, a children’s book, Ola has suggested the brilliant character Behemoth from The Master and Margarita.
And my absolute favourite cats are Tom Kitten, from The Tale of Tom Kitten, and Crookshanks, Hermione’s very clever ginger cat, who makes his first appearance in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Once again, I know there must be LOTS of brilliant cats that we’re leaving out – do please suggest your own favourites in the comments below or on Twitter!
