Recommendations based on "The Return of the Killer Cat"

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER 'A gentle and uplifting tale of warding off apocalypse in a remote corner of Cornwall . . . charming' Financial Times 'A tremendously enjoyable book' Independent on Sunday 'Bloody brilliant' Liz Fenwick, author of The Cornish House It all began with the whale. When a young man washes up on the sands of St Piran in Cornwall, it is clear to the villagers that this is not a regular day. What has brought him here? And what is the crisis only he understands, that threatens not only their community but all of civilisation? With a global pandemic on the horizon, and a whale lurking in the bay, the villagers of St Piran must band together to survive. Intimate, funny and heart-warming, John Ironmonger tells a compelling story about the important things that hold us together, and how hope can be found, even at the end of the world. 'A warm-hearted book crammed with ideas . . . very, very good' Emerald Street 'A compelling and unusual modern fable' Natasha Solomons, author of Mr Rosenblum's List 'Beautiful, dark, uplifting' Kate Long, author of The Bad Mother's Handbook

For fans of Warriors and Wings of Fire comes a magical adventure story about a street cat who's mistaken for a wizard’s familiar.“Whether furry, flippered or feathered you’ll be taking a closer look at your family pet.” —Michael Buckley, author of The Sisters Grimm and NERDSWhen Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn’t expect his life to change. But that’s exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard in training, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar.Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he’s got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by the evil queen, Aldwyn will have to use all of his street smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!This delightful Indie Next pick is beloved by hundreds of thousands of readers and was named to nine state award lists. Don’t miss any of the exciting books in the Familiars series: Secrets of the Crown, Circle of Heroes, and Palace of Dreams.

A world of magic, adventure and cute puppy antics from the bestselling author of the Magic Kitten series. Freya and her family have moved to be nearer her grandma and Freya is really missing her friends. Even new neighbour Isaac and his naughty puppy, Teddy, can't cheer her up. But when Old English sheepdog puppy Storm arrives, Freya's world becomes filled with magical fun!

Adopting a shelter dog comes with unconditional love, but also many questions.A little boy imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he had a boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn't keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn't appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly.But the most important thing is that now, he can be shown all the love he's been missing. Because this dog is home.Winner of the Humane Society KIND Children's Picture Book Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award, this touching story celebrates all who support, care for, and adopt shelter dogs.

Beautifully restored and complete with gorgeous charcoal illustrations, this classic story will delight any pony-mad little girl When her family fall on hard times, Jean and her family (including their dog Shadow) must move to the country. Not to worry though, as it seems they're going to live in a lovely little cottage, and Jean is assured she can have chickens. And perhaps even a new puppy... Jean has never been to the country before, and is fairly sure she isn't going to like it. But she soon learns that the country is full of fun and adventures, and much more exciting than boring old London. Sadly her newly-discovered cousins are a bit haughty though, as well as pony-mad, and Jean wishes she could join in. But then a wonderful opportunity to do so arrives in the form of a pony named 'The Toastrack' (so-called due to his poor ribs sticking out so much) and Jean is told she can have him! The cousins are mean, and say a knacker's horse like that won't ever come to anything, but Jean and the quickly-renamed Cavalier know they can prove them wrong. Gymkhana glory is only a few jumps away!

From one of the most respected figures in the dog rescue community come the harrowing, funny, and inspiring stories of nine incredible dogs that shaped her life. Tia Torres, beloved underdog advocate and star of Animal Planet's hit show Pit Bulls & Parolees, chronicles her roller-coaster life in this heartwarming memoir featuring some of her best-loved dogs. With inimitable honesty and characteristic brashness, Tia captures the spirit and heart of these intelligent and loving canines, while carrying us behind the scenes of her TV show, into the heart of post-Katrina New Orleans, onto the soundstages of Hollywood films, and even to the jungles of Sri Lanka. Tia has devoted her life to shattering the stereotype that pit bulls are dangerous, vicious predators. As the top dog at the Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans, the largest pit bull rescue in the United States, she and her team have rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed hundreds of animals that might otherwise have been destroyed. As she puts it, "Most of the stories in this book are about animals (and a few humans) that needed someone to believe in them and a purpose in order to show their true nobility." Each dog Tia writes about here has overcome abuse, trauma, neglect, or just bad luck to become a stalwart, loving companion to Tia and her family. You'll meet Duke, whose intelligence and matinee-idol looks made him a star in movies and music videos; Junkyard Joe, whose single-minded passion for tennis balls was channeled into expertise as a drug-sniffing dog; Bluie, the unswerving protector of Tia's daughter Tania; and a host of other unforgettable canines. My Life Among the Underdogs is above all a love story--one that is sure to grip the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog.

Three spellbinding Meg and Mog stories - by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski There are surprises galore for Meg, Mog and Owl in these three classic Meg and Mog stories: Meg's Eggs, Meg at Sea and Mog in the Fog. As ever, Meg casts her spells with the best of intentions but always with hilarious results. Children will love exploring the colours, sounds and shapes in this bumper volume, perfect for sharing or reading alone. Helen Nicoll worked with Jan Pienkowski for over forty years, first at the BBC and then on the Meg and Mog stories. She owned and ran the audio company Cover to Cover for many years. Helen lived in Marlborough, Wiltshire. She died on September 30, 2012. Jan Pienkowski is a celebrated illustrator of children's books. He has won the Greenaway Medal twice - for his illustration of Joan Aiken's The Kingdom Under the Sea and for Haunted House. Jan lives in London. Look out for all the Meg and Mog stories: Meg and Mog; Three Favourite Stories; Meg, Mog and Og; Meg and Mog; Meg and Mog Play Hide and Seek; Three Terrific Tales; Mog's Missing' Mog in the Fog; Mog at the Zoo; Mog Goes to Bed; Meg Comes to School; Meg on the Moon; Meg's Veg; Meg's Castle; Meg up the Creek; Meg on the Moon; Meg's Car; Meg at See; Meg's Eggs

Ballet Shoes is the much loved classic by Noel Streatfield 'I wonder . . . if other girls had to be one of us, which of us they'd choose to be?' Pauline longs to be an actress. Petrova is happiest playing with cars and engines. And if she could . . . Posy would dance all day! But when their benefactor Great-Uncle Matthew disappears, the Fossil girls share a future of a dazzling life on stage, where their dreams and fears will soon come true . . . Noel Streatfeild once said that Ballet Shoes was 'really a fairy story with its feet half-way on the ground' - a magical description for a magical book. Noel was born in Sussex in 1895 and was one of three sisters. Although she was considered the plain one she ended up leading the most glamorous and exciting life! After working in munitions factories and canteens for the armed forces when WWI broke out, Noel followed her dream of being on stage and went to RADA where she became a professional actress. She began writing children's books in 1931 and Ballet Shoes was published in 1936. She quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. When she visited Puffin exhibitions, there were queues right out of the building and all the way down The Mall. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. Noel Streatfeild lived in London. She died in 1986. Also by Noel Streatfield: Ballet Shoes; Tennis Shoes; The Circus is Coming; The House in Cornwall; The Children of Primrose Lane; CUrtain Up; Party Frock; The Painted Garden; White Boots; The Fearless Treasure; The Bell Family; Wintle's Wonders; New Town; Apple Bough; A Vicarage Family; The First Book of the Ballet; The Children on the Top Floor; Away from the Vicarage; The Growing Summer; Caldicott Place; Thursday's Child; Beyond the Vicarage; Ballet Shoes for Anna; When the Siren Wailed; Far To Go

Girl by day. Cat by night. Ready for adventure. In the fourth book of this chapter book series, Kitty, a little girl with catlike superpowers, teams up with another superhero to save a bakery from certain disaster. Kitty and the Treetop Chase is perfect for newly independent readers and for fans of Rebecca Elliott’s Owl Diaries. When a new family moves into town, Kitty is excited to make another friend. But George, Kitty’s new neighbor, is quiet and seems to have nothing in common with Kitty. When night approaches, Katsumi, a member of Kitty’s cat crew, tells Kitty about a dog causing a commotion in the bakery. Kitty decides to use her catlike superpowers to investigate, and it turns out that George has his own superpowers, too! Together, they set off to track down the mischievous dog before he can cause even more damage. Kitty and the Treetop Chase is the fourth book in a series about Kitty and her superhero adventures. With a charming main character, loads of cats, and striking two-color art on every page, Kitty is the perfect pick for newly independent readers. Includes fun facts about cats!

Everyone's favourite cat is now available in a delightful board book format, introducing even the youngest babies and toddlers to Judith Kerr's forgetful cat. Meet Mog and her family, cat family that is. There is her Mummy and Daddy who live on a farm, her Grandpa who is always hungry, her brother James who has frogs in his garden, her aunt Emma who takes care of a shop and many more. It'll be a big party when they all get together for Mog's birthday. Children will delight in looking at all the different cats, one tabby, one black and white, one long haired and scruffy and some very very young.