Catherine is an adventurer who wants everything to be just so. Her papers are sorted by colour, her shoes are pristine and white, and she never leaves home without her compass. When she hears about ‘Big Cats’, Catherine knows just what to do. With her backpack full of supplies (peanut butter sandwiches for her, cans of tuna to lure a Big Cat, naturally) she sets out to find a Big Cat.

Written during lockdown, Big Cat is an ode to adventure, discovery, and truly seeing and appreciating the world around you. It’s also a love letter to Melbourne; city landmarks are sprinkled throughout the book, and their descriptions and history decorate the endpages, adding an interactive element to the story. Jess Racklyeft’s watercolour illustrations are bright and colourful without being harsh, and the formatting of the text throughout makes this story of adventure and discovery something whimsical and fun.

Big Cat is the perfect story for kids (and their grownups!) who need a gentle nudge to let go and embrace their wildness. For ages 3+.