Although she’s a little too young to take appreciate its stomping narrative, my baby daughter is an evident fan of The Gruffalo and its sequel, both of which prompt a flood of smiles and giggles whenever they’re performed at bedtime. As my wife and I are both cat lovers, when we spotted another Julia Donaldson / Axel Scheffler collaboration bearing the image of a well-dressed Scots cat on its cover, we just couldn’t resist.
And if anything, Tabby McTat is a more noteworthy book than even The Gruffalo. Whilst they don’t give me an excuse to put on any silly voices (I’m very proud of my Snake, especially), when read aloud Donaldson’s words are rhythmic and soothing - ideal for the final story of the night. More importantly though, whereas The Gruffalo is a first-rate romp that champions brains over brawn, Tabby McTat is an affecting little tale that is strewn with subtext.
When a quirk of fate separates a busker from his beloved feline, Tabby is forced to carve out a new life for himself as a husband and father - gone are the heady days of singing for his supper and having adventures with his tuneful friend. When Tabby wakes up each morning “with a mew”, desperately missing the absent musician, it’s enough to stir even the most stoic of adult readers. But when chance conspires to reunite Tabby and his former companion, readers must confront the most difficult of home truths: we must all grow up, and we must all move on... and deep down, we probably want to.
An outstanding picture book that stands up to nightly repetition for months on end, Tabby McTat is a must for any young reader’s (or listener’s) library.
