The Mousehole Cat - Softcover

Antonia Barber

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0744523532 ISBN 13: 9780744523539

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, 1993

Synopsis

A picture book favourite, this is the dramatic and moving Cornish tale of a cat and a fisherman who brave the stormy seas to save their village.

This is the stunningly illustrated story of the seaside village of Mousehole Cornwall, where Mowzer the cat lives happily with old fisherman Tom – Tom who rocks the rocking chair just right, and catches fresh fish for dinner every night. Their life is a happy one – until one terrible winter, the Great Storm-Cat comes clawing and snarling and leaping at the harbour walls, so that no boat can go out to sea to fish. Soon, with Christmas coming, there is no food left in Mousehole. It is then that Mowzer and Tom set out to brave the fury of the waves together, and discover that it might just need a cat’s perspective to understand – and tame – the ferocious ways of the Great Storm-Cat sea… Gently yet powerfully told, this incredibly moving story of bravery, sacrifice and companionship inspired by Cornish legend is sure to connect with readers of all ages, new and old alike.

About this title

About the Author

Antonia Barber is an award-winning writer of children's and adult fiction, including her bestselling picture book Catkin, illustrated by P. J. Lynch, and her adult novels, The Ghosts and The Ring in the Rough Stuff, both of which were shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Antonia divides her time between a converted oast house in Kent and a cosy harbourside cottage in the real Cornish village of Mousehole. Nicola Bayley, once shortlisted and twice commended for the Kate Greenaway medal, is perhaps best known for her loving, detailed depictions of cats, and has captured the hearts of her readers in titles such as The Necessary Cat, The Patchwork Cat, The Mousehole Cat, Katje the Windmill Cat and Rudyard Kipling's classic, The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story. Nicola lives in London.

From Publishers Weekly

The quaint Cornish fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced "Mowzel") is the setting for this captivating story inspired by an old legend. A fierce winter storm sets in just before Christmas, and "the cats and their people grow very hungry" because the Great Storm-Cat won't let any fishing boats out of the harbor. Mowzer, a wise old cat, goes along to protect her "pet"--Tom, a fisherman--when he decides to brave the elements to get food for the villagers. The clever Mowzer's sirenlike singing placates the Storm-Cat into letting Tom cast his nets, and her purring soothes the creature into letting them return home safely, where they find that the whole village has turned out with gleaming lanterns to welcome them. Brimming with character--and fetching characters--each of Bayley's glowing paintings is a gem, and her marine-themed borders are a crowning touch. Young readers will enjoy Barber's exemplary prose--by turns funny, dramatic and touching--for its cat's-eye perspectives and comforting resolution. To the ever-increasing gallery of memorable feline characters, Mousehole 's gifted creators have added two indelible portraits: canny, endearing Mowzer and the mythic Storm-Cat, shown looming out of the waves in moods ranging from fierce to gently playful. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0744523532
• ISBN 13: 9780744523539
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40