Aristotle

Bella Donna looks like quite a traditional sort of witch, but she is rather pleased with the idea of having a white cat rather than the usual black, and Artistotle, her new kitten, just fits the bill. Aristotle is a bit of a tearaway and careless with his nine lives, causing no end of concern to Bella Donna who rescues him in the nick of time from the inside of a milk jug, her chimney, the jaws of a large dog and other places where a kitten has no business being. But just as it seems there is no hope that he will survive to be an old cat, he gets some sense and settles to a life of helping Bella Donna bring her healing potions to sick children.

The story is simple enough and will read aloud well. Graham’s pen and ink sketches washed with greeny-browns show Artistotle to be a most engaging fellow, and the square format of this little hardback is appealing.