The Story of Tantrum O'Furrily

Cressida Cowell has written a gentle narrative about a mother cat, Tantrum O'Furrily, telling her three kittens a story about Smallpaw, who is a young cat well looked after and cherished but seeking adventure with the stray cats who live outside her home. Her owner, Mrs Worrykin, does not like the stray cats nor does she like stories. Poor little Smallpaw grows bored with her cozy secure life and one night she creeps out of the house through the open cat flap, seeking a story to be told. Once outside the security of her home, Smallpaw meets a sly gentleman fox who has evil intentions but she is saved from the fox by one of the stray cats. She is reassured by this cat that: 'A cat with courage makes her own story'. At the end of the night Smallpaw returns home to the delight of Mrs Worrykin. The story is written in poetic language that reads aloud well and the soft charcoal illustrations add to the narrative's atmosphere. There is a great deal to talk about and predict with young children as the story is shared with them, in particular what is meant by 'A cat with courage makes her own story'. Picture book / Ages 5+ / Reviewed by Fiona Collins, consultant

Suggested Reading Age 5+