Picture Books

Books for younger readers

The cover of 'The Killer Cat's Christmas'

Tuffy the Killer Cat has shared his private thoughts with his delighted readers in four hilarious installments. But have you ever wondered what he thinks about Christmas? Anne Fine is ready to tell us:

You'll all know I have very little time for the Killer Cat's endless complaints. I think he's spoiled and rude, and very selfish. But I have a certain sneaking sympathy for his attitude towards Christmas.

He doesn't like it!

Tuffy thinks it's a festival that wasn't made for cats. There is a tree he's not allowed to climb; bright dangly decorations he's not allowed to touch; and big shiny presents he has to keep his paws off.

And, if he's really unlucky, horrible cold white snow all over the garden.

Poor Tuffy.

But this year's Christmas holiday goes worse than most. In his own words, it's 'Horrible, horrible, horrible!'

To find out why, you'll have to read the book. (But if you have a sneaking sympathy with Christmas-haters, don't wait for the Killer Cat to have his moan. Go out today and find a copy of The More the Merrier - for 8-12 year olds (and women of all ages).

Meanwhile, Tuffy has a piece of good news: his Diary of a Killer Cat has won the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award for Grades 3 -5. Visit their web site to find out more about the Award, and to read the thank you letter that Anne and Tuffy wrote to Louisiana!

And for even younger readers

The third collection of stories about best friends Jamie and Angus, the toy highland bull, was published on 2nd November. The first, The Jamie and Angus Stories, won the prestigious Boston Globe Horn Book Award in 2003; The Observer praised its sequel, Jamie and Angus Together as "perfect" for beginning readers making the transition from picture books to books with more text - but with Penny Dale's charming illustrations to help them make the jump. Now in this new collection of stories, Jamie and Angus confront pets and birthday parties together - together forever!