It’s a little embarrassing but this charming story about a boy begging his parents for a pet actually hit home pretty hard for me as I was desperate for a cat as a child but was never allowed! (It’s okay, I have one now so hold the violins).
This is Jo Simmons’ first foray into books aimed at younger children following her previous Pip Street series and it’s such a fun read. It’s marketed as a first reading book but with the fabulous illustrations and fun story Caterpillar loved hearing it despite not being three yet. Plus, it’s a book I’ll definitely be saving for a couple of years time for him to try to read himself.
The plot about a boy’s friendship with the neighbour’s kitten and his desperate desire to keep him is funny, cheeky and very relatable for children (and this scarred adult). The mischievous Mrs Upguffy is such a well-drawn character for a children’s book – her name, and her antics, will have many kids giggling.
From a parent’s perspective, my favourite part is when Bobby begins to bond with Conkers the cat, learning how to take care of him and how to respect where he does and doesn’t like to be touched. This a great lesson for any child learning how to treat animals correctly.
I love the fun and unique narrative, with surprising phrases such as “Their friendship grew, like a beautiful mushroom on a log,” keeping it interesting for the reader. It’s a great length for a ‘get ready to read’ book because it’s short enough to keep your child’s attention but long enough to tell a captivating and funny story, with a great little twist at the end.
The illustrations have a retro feel to me, which is lovely and made me think of my own first reading books, and I love the idea of layering the drawings on top of real photography.
Such an enjoyable read for both me and Caterpillar – and I was very relieved to see Bobby get his happy ending! You can get your hands on a copy here.
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yaay to happy endings. Looks like a great book to read with younger ones #sundaystars
It’s a real cutie. Thanks for commenting x
We love books in this household and I’m always on the lookout for new reads for Archie (whose 2) and this looks really interesting. He’s yet to learn much about pets, but he lives the cats in our street. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays! Kaye xo
It’s a great one for toddlers, although fairly long so may need to do it over two sessions if reading as a bedtime story. Thanks for commenting x
This sounds right up my daughter’s street. She’s going through the wanting a pet stage right now!
#readwithme
I think it happens to them all lol! Thanks for reading x
that looks lovely and the illustrations look unusual too, almost like a photo with cartoons laid over
#readwithme x
Yes, exactly. It’s really unusual but very cool. Thanks for reading x
My kids would have a field day with this because they keep asking for pets and so far our answer has been no! Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe
Ha ha – yeah that sounds like me as a kid! We do have a cat now but she doesn’t let T anywhere near her so he might as well not have any pets! Thanks for reading x
Lovely looking book so well illustrated, I can see this engaging little ones #marvmonday
Yeah the illustrations are so cute and vivid. Thanks for commenting x
I do like the illustrations – it looks a fun book to read.
Yeah it’s a fun one, thanks for reading x
Ah this sound lovely and I know my youngest would adore this. He loves animals but us still rather heavy handed so needs to learn with them too. Fab! Will check it out. #twinklytuesdays
Thanks for reading 🙂
Oh, I love a story with a happy ending and the illustrations do look really interesting I like the combo of photos and drawings too.
It’s really unique 🙂 Thanks for reading x
What a unique book, it’s lovely! I was like you as a child, but with a rabbit. We then bought rabbits (me and my hubby) and his parents fell in love with them so much they pinched them! We have a cat now though like you. Sounds like a really sweet story, i bet my children will be able to relate, with all those pets we never let them take home!
Aww, bless. We used to have a rabbit too, love all animals really and have to make up for being deprived as a child lol! Thanks for commenting x
That looks like a cute book, my daughter is learning to read at the moment so story time is her favourite time of day! #twinklytuesday
This one is great for children learning to read. Thanks for commenting x
Looks like such a cute book! Thanks for linking up – Jess xx
#sundaystars
It’s a great one! Thanks for commenting x
I was lucky as we always had a cat growing up. My boys are desperate for one now though. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
Eilidh x
Do it lol! I love my cat, even if she is a miserable unsocial mare! Thanks for reading x
What a cute looking and sounding book 🙂 I miss the bedtime story days now they’re supposedly too old.
Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix
Stevie x
It is adorable. Thanks for reading x