I first came across this book when I was in junior school. The Mousehole Cat had only just been published, and a group of classmates and I were asked to review it and other books for an award.As a 10 year old, I remember thinking that this book was like a jewel. Every page was richly illustrated and the story was beautifully told. The fascinating details in both the text and the artwork captured my imagination - it was a masterpiece. Needless to say, the book won the Illustrated Book category by a mile.
After my first child was born, I found the perfect excuse to wallow in the children's sections of various bookstores. To my joy, I found a copy of The Mousehole Cat and bought it straight away, and was delighted to find that, even from an adult point of view, it was still a magical read.
Inspired by a Cornish legend, The Mousehole Cat is told more from a cat's perspective than that of a human, which is rather sweet if you're a cat lover...
Set in Mousehole (pronounced Mowzel), a real fishing village in Cornwall, this is a tale of the bravery of Mowzer (the Mousehole Cat) and her pet human, old Tom. One winter, there is a terrible storm at sea, caused by the Great Storm Cat. Although the fishing boats are safe behind the harbour wall, the fishermen cannot fish, and, because the fishermen cannot fish, there is no food. Old Tom cannot stand by and watch the children starve, and he decides he must go fishing in order to help the starving villagers. So, he and Mowzer venture out in old Tom's boat... Will they return heroes or perish at the paws of the Great Sea Cat?
The Mousehole Cat appeals to both adults and children alike. The pictures are fabulous. They range from full page illustrations to borders around the text, and their detail is fascinating. They really do bring both the story and Mousehole alive. The text is exceptional, littered with details which are designed to satisfy an inquisitive mind. The Sunday Times recommends it "for any age from five or so to very grown up", but there is a lot of text and the language can become quite complex in places. A couple of words might have you reaching for your dictionary in places, even if you are an adult! A five year old would not be capable of reading this book alone, although an older child would enjoy doing so. This book is ideal for reading to children, especially when a lot of time can be spent on reading it and enjoying the pictures.
Definitely a book to read to children, The Mousehole Cat is a must-have treasure which can be enjoyed again and again without losing any of its magic.
