Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat

Sue Hendra has an unerring ability to connect with the imagination and humour of a three-year-old. Not easy!

When a potentially humiliating accident with an ice cream occurs, Keith the Cat turns it to his advantage. He tells everyone the melting cornet on his head is a magic hat. The other cats don’t believe him until a seemingly magical trick occurs when an invisible team of ants move Keith’s chocolate ‘wand’, followed by a family of rabbits who pop up from nowhere. It’s all fun and excitement with a very pleasing resolution. But what’s especially good about this book is the way Hendra manages to convey Keith’s feelings in the vernacular of the very young. Witness the moment Keith’s friends laugh at the ice cream on his head making him feel just ‘a little bit shy and a little bit silly’.

The illustrations are bold, crisp and simple in captivating colours. Keith’s a real winner (despite the fact that the editors allowed the word ‘fun’ to be used as an adjective – a pet hate of this reviewer).