The Mousehole Cat (Antonia Barber, Nicola Bayley)

This is the stunningly illustrated story of the seaside village of Mousehole Cornwall, where Mowzer the cat lives happily with old fisherman Tom – Tom who rocks the rocking chair just right, and catches fresh fish for dinner every night. Their life is a happy one – until one terrible winter, the Great Storm-Cat comes clawing and snarling and leaping at the harbour walls, so that no boat can go out to sea to fish. Soon, with Christmas coming, there is no food left in Mousehole. It is then that Mowzer and Tom set out to brave the fury of the waves together, and discover that it might just need a cat’s perspective to understand – and tame – the ferocious ways of the Great Storm-Cat sea… Gently yet powerfully told, this incredibly moving story of bravery, sacrifice and companionship inspired by Cornish legend is sure to connect with readers of all ages, new and old alike.