Goodbye Mog

Published in 1970, Mog the Forgetful Cat was the first of the thirteen Mog stories which now come to an end with Goodbye Mog. Mog dies in her basket but ‘a little bit of her stayed awake to see what would happen next’. What happens next is the Thomas family grieving for Mog and eventually the introduction of a new kitten to the household. How the ghostly Mog helps the kitten to settle in is delightfully told in Kerr’s relaxed, straightforward style and unpretentious artwork. There is now a delightfully period flavour to Mog’s family with homely Mrs Thomas in her pink jersey and modest skirt and Mr Thomas in his brown trousers. Mrs Thomas has a continuity problem with her necklace in the illustrations but nothing can detract from the warm, straightforward way that Kerr talks about Debbie and Nicki’s feelings of loss and the generous and affectionate way that one much loved pet helps another to take her place. The Thomas family are not the only ones who will miss Mog.