The Cat Mummy

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Jacqueline Wilson

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Pages: 96 (Paperback)

ISBN: 044086416X

Pub: Corgi Childrens

Pub date: 2002-03-04

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 16560

Editorial Review:

Verity's old tabby cat, Mabel, might not be quite as lively as she used to be, and yes, she smells a bit, and doesn't always make it to the litter tray on time, but she really really loves her. More importantly, Mabel once belonged to Verity's mum --not that Verity actually ever knew her mum because she died. She really doesn't mind too much about not having a mum, apart from when she goes to visit her grave, which makes her think about being in the ground with a head full of worms.
So when she finds Mabel dead in the wardrobe, it seems to Verity that it would be much better to take a few lessons from the Ancient Egyptians: rather than bury the poor old thing she decides to mummify her so they can be together forever. But, what with the problems involved in finding the basic mummification materials, and the fact that Gran would probably fuss about hygiene if she knew anything about it, things don't quite go as planned...
The simply sensational Jacqueline Wilson strikes hard and fast with this superb story of a feisty little girl coping with the death of a much-loved pet. But, as usual, the wiley Wilson doesn't just leave it there: instead she goes on to deliver a graceful, poignant and barely perceptible exploration of the close-to-the surface emotions of a family who have never truly recovered from the long-ago death of a loved-one.

The Cat Mummy is simple, to the point, and a cracking story, but with the added bonus of Wilson's fantastic ability to bring serious issues to the fore without detracting from her characters and the deeply personal stories they have to tell. Another gem of a book from a national treasure of an author, The Cat Mummy is a must-read. Age 7 and over.--Susan Harrison

Reader Reviews:

For younger readers (0/0 people found this helpful)

This was actually a real good book but I hope the younger readers don't actually copy the girl in this book (which is probably unlikely). This book I would say isn't for teenagers but me being a teenager myself I would then say that this book was quite interesting. Even though it was a very very short book for children it really gets to you and you can't help think how you would feel if you lost one your own pets. Jacqueline Wilson actually did a good job on this book.

Purrfectly written (11/11 people found this helpful)

The Cat Mummy was written by Jacqueline Wilson (one of my favourite authors) and was published in 2001/ 2002 in two different editions - the Corgi Yearling edition and the Doubleday edition. It was illustrated beautifully by Nick Sharratt (who draws a lot for many different authors) and it was illustrated very exquisitely. This book is great for children who are over the age of 7 or 8 up to the age of 15 or 16 because adults are far too boring to read such a good and exciting book like this one. I think girls would like this book better than boys but I might be wrong.

The plot of the story is that Verity's mum and now her cat Mabel have both died. She is more upset about the cat because she did not even know her mother even though she went to the other's grave a lot. The ending is quite nice though and it is a very clever idea!

SUPERB, ENCHANTING . . . AND UNIQUE (6/11 people found this helpful)

Firstly, the names of the characters, Verity and Mabel, were very colourful. I think old-fashioned names are brilliant for this sort of story. The illustrations were perfect! Jacqueline Wilson is unique with a gift. The last sentance of The Cat Mummy is a wonderful use of text: 'I'll never love Baby quite as much as I loved my Mabel . . .'
Although I have given this book 5 out of 5, I think the part about Ancient Eqypt is very boring.
The front cover of the book is designed very well and the picture of Mabel the cat, is marvellous!

Jacqueline Wilson is extremly gifted for literature, especially this sort of genre.

All her hardback books give you a sort of comfort when you turn each page.
Watch out for Midnight, Jacqueline Wilson's new realise in October 2003.

This book is one you can't put down! (7/10 people found this helpful)

This book has sad and happy parts. It's about a girl called Verity but all her other friends have interesting pets and she just has a cat called Mabel. You'll soon find out why it's called 'The Cat Mummy'!

Jacqueline WIlson once more tackles a difficult issue (6/8 people found this helpful)

I am an adult who greatly enjoys and admires Jacqueline Wilson's work. I found this book, a little darker than the others but still touching issues ignored by many. I am not sure if I would recommend this to a small child, I know I found it disturbing but those who do read it will get a lot out of it.

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