Antonia White first published this delightful children’s classic in 1957, and it is as appealing now as it was then. As a cat owner, she knows the ‘real’ owner is the cat, and as a human she must do their bidding!

After the recent death of her long-living and imperious cat, Victoria, Mrs. Bell is lonely. Her friends actively assist in bringing two kittens into her life: Minka and Curdy. One is an elegant Siamese girl, and the other a big, splendid ginger tom cat. Mrs. Bell recounts the story of Minka’s less than friendly reaction to Curdy when the two kittens are introduced, and the lengths to which she goes to maintain peace.

White’s evocation of the cats’ traits and her translations of cat ‘language’ are charming, and the antics of all involved make for an engaging read-aloud story that would also suit independent readers aged 7+.