Mildred and the Copy Cat

The art world is full of mysteries. In Ganz’s mischievous sequel to Mildred the Gallery Cat, the biggest mystery of all is: who’s behind the most exciting new artworks in town?

Back for another nocturnal adventure, secret artist Mildred returns — brush in paw — to delight and dazzle with her creations. But when a floppy-eared newcomer named Barksy begins taking credit for her work, it’s not long before the press, the public, and the galleries are hailing him as the new genius on the scene. The twist? He’s not even trying. The injustice stings, and Mildred hatches a plan to unmask the impawster.

Ganz continues to carve out a distinctive author-illustrator identity, blending a knowingly art-literate premise with a striking mixed-media approach. His use of cut paper, layered collage, and digital composition gives each spread a handmade, almost theatrical quality. Nods to the modern art world abound — from exhibition flyers and gallery walls to a dramatic installation of paper cranes that gestures toward large-scale origami works. But what gives the book emotional weight is Mildred’s hurt — the sense of invisibility, of being overlooked in favour of louder, flashier voices.

The character work is rich, too. Barksy isn’t a villain — just misunderstood. A pivotal moment reveals that while his owner finds his violin-playing dreadful, Mildred sees something beautiful in it. It’s a tender twist, suggesting that what one person dismisses might be exactly what another cherishes. Ganz resists neat moralising; instead, he offers a story about recognition, empathy, and the desire to be noticed not for being the best — but for being yourself. The rivalry dissolves not in triumph or defeat, but in playful reconciliation and mutual respect.

Visually, this is full of treats. From the Warhol-inspired endpapers — a Pop Art-style repeat of Barksy in alternating colours — to the painterly textures and collage-like compositions throughout, each spread buzzes with energy and wit. Children will delight in spotting Mildred’s mouse companion throughout (watch that tail on the title page!). Inspired by the real Mildred — Tate Modern’s much-loved resident cat — this is a warm, funny, and stylish exploration of authorship, art, and the joy (and pain) of creative visibility. A delight for little artists, big thinkers, and anyone who’s ever felt unseen.