Another book from Judith Kerr? Surely she’s earned some time off?
Kerr won’t put her pen down while she’s still got a good story in her. The author behind beloved creations including Mog the Forgetful Cat and The Tiger Who Came to Tea has announced a new book at the age of 94.
Will her new title feature her favourite animal?
Just try and stop her. The book, Katinka’s Tail, was inspired by the feline-friendly writer and illustrator’s current and ninth cat. Kerr’s forthcoming offering, published by HarperCollins, will hit shelves in October, 47 years after her first Mog book was published.
What’s it about?
Katinka’s Tail tells the story of a “perfectly ordinary cat with a not-so-ordinary tail”, and features a “wondrous journey into a forest and on to the moon”. The author said of the original Katinka: “She is a ridiculous-looking white cat with a tabby tail that looks as though it belonged to somebody else.”
Mog’s left some pretty big paw-prints to fill…
A perennial favourite, Mog has entertained generations of children. But Kerr’s new picture book is sure to be the cat’s whiskers too, her publisher insists. “Judith Kerr is a simply extraordinary picture book creator,” enthused executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh. “The vitality of this new tale with its whimsical wit and beautifully observed illustrations of Katinka and her rather delightful owner sees Judith on absolutely top form.”
Better clear some space on the bookshelf…
In addition to her celebrated Mog books, Kerr, who was made an OBE in 2013, is well known for her semi-autobiographical children’s novel, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, which relays her childhood experiences fleeing Nazi Germany with her family and coming to England.