Cat and Dumpling: Home Sweet Home
Nicola Kent
Oxford Children’s Books

Meet Cat, knitting fanatic and enthusiastic guitar player, who badly needs a new place to live that has plenty of cupboards. Then there’s dog, Dumpling, an ace gardener whose vegetables make delicious feasts. He too needs somewhere new to live, but it must have a garden sufficiently large to accommodate all his plants. They both set out house hunting, visiting several places that are quickly crossed off their respective lists. Feeling downcast they each decide to take a walk and almost simultaneously come upon a sign advertising a flat to rent. Both think this ground floor abode is ideal for their needs, even more so as Delores from upstairs shows them around. Delories thinks they’re both too noisy but is persuaded by their offers of gifts and Cat and Dumpling end up becoming flatmates. All goes well when they move in,

at least initially, but it takes a bit of compromising and kind deeds before come bedtime, it’s truly a case of home sweet home.

Nicola Kent’s sweet story with amusing, full colour illustrations at every turn of the page and short chapters is just right for new solo readers who will assuredly enjoy meeting these new characters and be pleased to know further adventures are in the pipeline.