Puzzling Day at Castle Macpelican Book

Catkin was a tiny kitten - the smallest of his litter - born to the cat of a Wise Woman. Given to the farming couple who lived down the hill, he became the boon companion of their baby daughter, and was charged with keeping her safe. When a moment of inattention left her vulnerable, and she was taken by the Lord and Lady of the Little People who lived under the hill, he set out to right the wrong, and to free baby Carrie. This was more challenging than it seemed, and Catkin needed all of his wits, as well as the aid of the Wise Woman, to find a solution...

The third fairy-tale picture-book I have read from British author Antonia Barber, after her marvelous The Mousehole Cat and The Enchanter's Daughter , Catkin may be my favorite of the lot! It is an outstandingly beautiful book, one which pairs an enchanting tale full of magic and adventure from Barber with breathtakingly gorgeous watercolor illustrations from Irish artist P.J. Lynch. This is a book to treasure, and to read over and over again - I will need to obtain a copy of my own! It's rare for me to give five star ratings, but this was a practically perfect picture-book, with every element - the story, the writing itself, the artwork, the design - outstanding in its own right, and yet also working seamlessly together to create a wonderful whole. Highly, highly recommended to all fairy-tale lovers!