We all know Judith Kerr, OBE as the beloved writer and illustrator who brought us Mog, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the very moving When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. I already had my suspicions that Ms Kerr has a fondness for all things feline and her latest title has confirmed that. Katinka’s Tail is a heartwarming story about a perfectly ordinary pussycat, with a not-quite-so-ordinary tail. Katinka’s Tail has already been hailed as a classic in the making and I couldn’t agree more.
At the end of this review you’ll be able to enter to win a copy of Mog, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Katinka’s Tail.
Born in Germany, of Jewish background, Judith came to Britain with her family in 1933 amid the rise of the Nazis. Following the families escape from Germany Judith lived in several European countries before settling in London. Due to this slightly nomadic life Judith attended eleven different schools. Later she worked for the Red Cross during the war and married screenwriter Nigel Kneale, the couple remained in London and had two children. Throughout her exciting careers she’s worked as artist, a BBC television scriptwriter and, of course, as author and illustrator of children’s books. In 2012, Judith was awarded an OBE for her services to children’s literature and Holocaust education, and in 2016 she received the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award.
Luisa is almost two and a half, much to my delight she’s starting to show a fraction more patience and a longer attention span. This means we have been able to graduate from exclusively reading board books and enjoy a broader range of stories. Katinka’s Tail is exactly what you’d expect from a Judith Kerr title; it’s subtly profound and leaves a delicate but lasting paw print on your consciousness.
Katinka is a run of the mill cat, a friendly companion who is treasured by her owner, a kindly lady bearing a striking resemblance to Judith Kerr. There is, however, one thing which makes Katinka stand out, her tail is a different colour to her body. I gave a wry smile when I read how people often remarked on Katinka’s tail, as I knew where the author was going with this and I had a sneaky suspicion that there is more to Katinka’s tail that meets the eye.
I really enjoyed the subtlety with which Judith Kerr introduced the idea that our differences are what makes us special, not something which should divide us or be cause to single someone out. The message is conveyed delicately but firmly as the tale progresses, creating a good opportunity for parents to carry on the discussion after the story has come to an end.
As ever the illustrations have a timeless charm which brought me right back to my own childhood. Luisa really enjoys pointing out the various antics Katinka got up to and especially loves the touch of magic towards the end.
Katinka’s Tail is a triumph, I’m confident that this delightful cat will be making her way into the hearts and homes of children all across the world this year. It would be an excellent choice for a Christmas gift and I’m sure we’ll be reading it as a family for many years to come.
Aww, this sounds like such a good book and bloomin’ heck, what a life Judith Kerr has had! The Tiger Who Came to Tea is officially my favourite kid’s book and we’ve been reading it to Lily since she was born. I’m going to have to whack this in my Amazon basket for her, we are buying tons of books this year and I know she’d be ALL over this! xx
Author
It is seriously the loveliest tale and the perfect length for the 2-5 age group. Lu tends to want to rush when we get 3/4 of the way through a story but this really held her attention. I didn’t want to give a tonne away but let’s just say there’s a surprise in store…
A lovely book – we used to have a cat called Snowy who just looked like Katinka! I often tell my children how our other cat, Misty, came to have a bent tail after falling from a tree chasing Snowy – her tail broke in 3 parts!
Tiptoes the Mischievous Kitten.
Any book of enid blytons, not matter how old i get i still love them
The famous Five or Just william books – simple but enthraling
The tiger who came to tea is a book I loved as a child and now my daughter loves
I devoured anything by Enid Blyton
It’s got to be the Narnia books. I adored them and they’re amazing for any generation!
I used to read Ballet Shoes, still love that book
I love Judith Kerr and we often read books like The Tiger Who Came to Tea
The three billy goats Gruff because it’s scary but the good guys win in the end
The puddle lane books, I think I had most of them and my mum kept them and I now have the pleasure of reading them all again with my two little girls
Topsy and Tim books
The Harry Potter books, my brother has read them all too now
yes the Mr Men series and Paddington
Two childhood favourites that I now read to my son are Peace At Last and The Tiger Who Came To Tea!
mervyn the mouse my mum read it when i was a kid
The tiger who came to tea and dear zoo! The mog books too!
The little Match Girl x
we love the tiger who came for tea, my son loves to roar
the kipper series
The Old Woman and her Pig
Enid Blyton, because they are timeless
The classic Roald Dahl books – Matilda is our favourite in particular.
The faraway tree was a favourite of mine as a child and now read it to my eldest
I loved Winnie the Pooh as a child and love reading it to my children
The elves and the shoemaker
Hansel & Gretel, a good witch story and cautionary tale like I had to suffer !
All the traditional fairy tales like Cinderella. I love the ladybird versions.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
the famous five
Unfortunately no. When I was young I wasn’t a big reader. Now as an adult I love books and luckily this has spurred on my girls reading and their love of books.
I loved my Storyteller tapes and magazines when I was a child. I was so pleased when I managed to find the magazines and the stories on CD to share with my daughters. We all love Gobbolino, Grogre the Ogre and Timbertwig.
The Mr Men books, we still have my original ones
Town mouse and country mouse
The BFG is our fave
Matilda and all the other Ronald Dahl books, I was a big fan as a kid
this sounds like a book that my grandkids would love to read
The Kipper books 🙂
Spot the Dog! 🙂