Are you ready to follow a ginger cat back into the past on the adventure of one of his nine lifetimes? Are you ready to discover how much of the past is wrapped in mystery and myth, and how a small cat can be a big hero?….

Then this ginger cat book is for YOU!

What happens to our ginger cat hero?

Baguette is a family cat who lives with the Petrov family – he is much-loved and rather spoiled; which will surprise no-one who is owned by a cat! Then, he falls in love with a street cat,  the beautiful Purriana, who demands that he performs a heroic feat of derring-do so he is worthy of her love! Baguette, all of a sudden, finds himself neck-deep in trouble, and thrilling adventure, travelling back to the mythical feline paradise Catlantis.  He has a job to do and only he can do it.  How he travels back in time will amaze and delight you!

Baguette is a reluctant hero who steps up to the mark in the name of love and, in the process, delights and entertains us, gains his lady-love, and restores cats to their heritage. The characters Baguette meets on his adventures, the reactions of the loving family he leaves behind, and the discoveries he makes, all combine to make this an absorbing and interesting read, packed with entertaining detail.

” In order to travel from the present into the past, Baguette had to stop time. He had to put it to sleep, make it stand still. He had to turn time into eternity…..”

Russian author Anna Starobinets has written a fantastical story that is not just for children. The tale is epic in scale but lightly told, and has been translated with great wit and sly charm by Jane Bugaeva. The vivid and exciting images by Andrzej Klimowski are scattered throughout the text and are superbly done. They capture a really mysterious atmosphere and add a touch of magic to Baguette’s magical and fantastical adventures.

Learning from Baguette the ginger cat

Parents will enjoy reading along with youngsters, as there is a lot to talk about. The Petrov family worry about Baguette and make sacrifices for their cat, the misguided distrust of black cats, respect for older cats and people, and kindness to others.  Oh, and you must know before you start the book, the worrying black cat ‘myth’ is turned on its head with dazzling effect later in the book – we really did smile at this deft and lovely touch.

We recommend the book wholeheartedly for adults and children alike. It has wit, charm and adventure. It is intelligently written with an eye on the myths of the past and the adults of today who enjoy a clever and beautifully illustrated read.

USA readers are welcome to check out our affiliate link. UK Readers check here.

Book Detail

Publisher: New York Review Children’s Collection
Publication date: 13th September 2016
ISBN-10: 168137000X
ISBN-13: 978-1681370002
Reading Age Range: 8 – 12 years
USA Grade Level: 3 – 7

We received a review copy of Catlantis from New York Review Children’s Collection in return for an honest review. As you can tell we are delighted with the book and urge you to grab a copy.