Catlantis

Meet Baguette. He is an ordinary house cat who lives a well-regulated life. But falling in love with the beautiful street cat, Purriana changes all that. To claim her as his bride, he must undertake a quest – he must find the ancient cat paradise, Catlantis; he must travel back in time. However, Noir, the gangster cat also wants Purriana and will do his best to prevent Baguette succeeding.

Translated from the Russian, this is a story that is full of fun. Some might be reminded of the stories of Kornei Chukovsky or Paul Biegel. It is also a story that would be ideal for sharing at bedtime. The translator – presumably taking a lead from the original – has very cleverly ensured that cat puns are sustained throughout the narrative. So we do not just have Catlantis, but Pussiedon, god of the cat race, Sir Entrecat and cat-echesis among others. The quest itself is to ensure that cats will continue to have nine lives. Baguette is an enjoyable and appropriate hero and the final conflict is both exciting, surreal and as full of humour as Baguette’s adventures. Another breath of fresh air from across the Channel.