Tabby McTat, the Musical Cat

by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)

Overview

A purr-fectly rollicking adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, now in paperback!

Tabby McTat is a musical cat, and he loves singing (and caterwauling) with his friend Fred for coins that people throw in Fred's hat. But one day, Fred is in an accident, and the two are separated! Will Tabby and Fred find their way back to each other?

Written in splendid rhyming verse and perfect for reading aloud, Tabby McTat is a touching story of friendship, loyalty, music — and kittens!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546110668
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	04/01/2025
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Julia Donaldson served as the UK Children's Laureate from 2011 to 2013 and has written many bestselling and beloved children's books, including The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, and Stick Man. She lives in West Sussex in the south of the UK.
Axel Scheffler's award-winning books include Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, and The Gruffalo. His illustrations have been published in more than 30 countries. He lives in London, England.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Tabby McTat, The Musical Cat:

"The team behind Room on the Broom pair up again in what has become a near-annual ritual of picture book perfection... Impeccable rhythm and rhyme distinguish this particular tale, filled, as always, with Donaldson's exemplary humor and heart." — The New York Times Book Review

"A surprising and fun read.... [Scheffler's] bright-eyed, warmhearted characterizations make this a wonderful testimony to the ties that bind." — Publishers Weekly

"A fun frolic about musical duos who aren't quite the same without each other. Like their trademark tune, it all ends 'PURRRR-fectly'." — Booklist

From the Publisher

Impeccable rhythm and rhyme distinguish this particular tale, filled, as always, with Donaldson's exemplary humor and heart.
—Pamela Paul

The New York Times Book Review

A musical cat--what's better than that? "Tabby McTat was a busker's cat / With a meow that was loud and strong. / The two of them sang of this and that, / And people threw coins in an old checked hat." One day, Tabby goes for a walk while Fred, the busker, eats his lunch, and Tabby meets a pretty, black kitty. When he returns, Fred is gone, so Sock, his new friend, gets her owners to take Tabby in. He loves his new situation, especially after kittens come along, but he misses Fred. Once the kitties are grown, Tabby sets off to find Fred, unknowingly tailed by his strong-voiced son, Samuel Sprat. Fred's happy to see his buddy--but Tabby, ever the finicky feline, now misses Sock. What could the solution be? Gruffalo creators Donaldson and Scheffler join forces once again for this lighthearted tale of friendship and music. Donaldson's lyrical verse reads like a song. Oldsters may see where the tale is headed, but young fans will be happily surprised. Scheffler's round-eyed characters and bright colors in full-bleed and inset illustrations extend the story. Young listeners will enjoy spotting Samuel in the background as Tabby searches for Fred. "MEEE-EW and the old guitar, / How PURRRR-fectly happy we are." Sounds like a hit. (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews