An absolute delight for all lovers of felines. The story is set in Paris and specifically in a cat hotel, where pets go to be looked after when their humans go on holiday. The main characters are the owner, Magda and the four permanent house cats, Bobine, Mulot, Carpette and Couscousse. This story centres around a new visitor called Wolfgang, who is proving to be a very scared cat indeed. Can the residents find out why and help him overcome his shyness.
What a truly magical story about caring for others, not bullying and just trying to be kind. Although the book is in translation, the interpretation of the story and the human is brilliantly done. I absolutely love the puns associated with all things feline, but especially those which make me ‘paws for thought’. This book makes a perfect transition to slightly longer chapters, but still retaining a readable font size and lots of illustrations. It will be an excellent choice, both as a read aloud story in class, or as an addition to the school library for the lower KS2 children, (aged 7-9 years).
Margaret Pemberton
Hotel for Cats by Marie Pavlenko
Illustrated by Marie Voyelle
Translated by Anna Brooke
Chicken House
ISBN 9781915947000
£7.99
Published 2024
