Slobcat - Paul Geraghty > Reviews (3)

Slobcat is a much loved pet but he is also such a lazy cat. All he does is laze around all day getting in the way and he can't even be bothered to eat. At least, that is what Slobcat's owners' believe. However, there is another side to Slobcat that they cannot even begin to guess about. This delightful picture book will appeal to young and old alike, and my well cause many cat owners to wonder whether they really know their cats at all.

''Slobcat is our cat.
He does nothing but lie
about and sleep.''

Well that is what the little girl who tells this wonderful story about a most endearing cat thinks. Actually, she is quite wrong, as the reader discovers, as the story progresses. Because she and the rest of the family only see him lazing around and sleeping, they have named him Slobcat. It is a term of affection though as they do really love their cat, even though they have got him quite wrong. She tells the reader that Slobcat is too lazy to eat his dinner; often comes home soaking wet because he can't be bothered to shelter from the rain and he would be totally useless if there were any rats or mice that might need catching.

However, this is one of those wonderful picture books where the illustrations tell a completely different story and, in this case, lets the reader see what the real Slobcat is like. We actually discover that he is one of the most energetic and lively cats that you could wish to meet. The reason that he comes home soaking wet is because he has been busy saving a small kitten by swimming with it across a pond and there are no rats, mice or any dangerous creatures in the garden because this brave cat has seen them all off! The book has a clever style where every single page visually contradicts what the young narrator is telling her reader.

This is a wonderful book for sharing with small children who I am sure will delight in the engaging and entertaining illustrations. My daughter got the joke quite quickly and was most amused by the fact that the little girl telling the story really does not know her cat at all. She also thought that Slobcat is a fabulous character and is both very brave and very funny. He is the sort of character that many small children will fall in love with.

The story is very simply written with very little text on any page. It would be suitable for many early readers to attempt on their own, but I do really think that this is a book that is definitely best shared. Possibly, if a young reader was looking at this on their own, they might miss the wonderful contradictions between the words and the pictures.

Overall, my daughter and I both love this book and think it makes a wonderful book for sharing, especially at bedtimes. Having read a few of Paul Geraghty's books, it definitely ranks as one of his best.

This review has previously appeared under my name at www.thebookbag.co.uk