At not quite four years old, Rosa is suddenly, tragically orphaned. The arrival of her long-lost aunt and uncle brings only further sadness. Cold-hearted and cruel, the pair think only of themselves, moving into Rosa’s life and changing everything.
Rosa desperately needs a friend and this friend arrives in the shape of next door’s pampered black cat, Balthazar. With sparks that fly from his fur, Balthazar clearly has more than a touch of magic. . .
When her aunt and uncle’s business leads to a trip to Venice, Rosa finds herself alone in this ancient city. Venice too, it seems, is home to an array of unexpected friends, many of them feline and some of them human. Magic too, it would appear, is present in the watercourses, winding alleyways and campos of Venice. . . and in the wings of the Lion of San Marco.
This is a story of bravery and resilience, of hope and friendship. It is complemented by evocative black and white illustrations by Keith Robinson which faithfully depict key scenes from the story. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Venice and, as a cat-lover, the distinct and pervasive feline presence within the story! A beautiful and lyrical middle-grade adventure story suitable for age 9+.
Suzanne Chinnock
Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay
Macmillan Children’s Books
ISBN 9781529074512
£12.99
Published 2025
