The Problem with Pierre

Although Alan and Bertram are friends and neighbours they are complete opposites. Bertram is tidy, with everything in its place and Alan is very messy, believing life is best when not quite perfect. Bertram, aware something is missing in his well-ordered life, decides to get a cat for company and calls him Pierre. An elegant cat, Pierre looks the perfect fit for Bertram’s lifestyle. Making sure Pierre has a special china bowl and a stylish cat bed Bertram looks forward to the companionship of snuggling up on the sofa with his new friend to watch TV. Unfortunately, Pierre has other ideas and decides he feels much more at home next door amongst Alan’s messy clutter feasting on leftovers than in Bertram’s carefully designed home. What can be done? Eventually the two friends come to an inventive and radical agreement to solve the problem and ensure they have the company they crave.
This is a stylish picturebook with themes of compromise and friendship. There is gently humour in the recognition that fickle felines frequently won’t conform to their owner’s expectations. The differing homes and lifestyles of the two friends are juxtaposed and brought into sharp contrast in some of the detailed double page spreads.