Monday 21 April 2014

The Tip Tap Dancing Cat by Joanna Boyle (Pavilion Children's Books)

The Tip Tap Dancing Cat

Written and Illustrated by
Joanna Boyle

Published by Pavilion Children's Books

If ever there was a book that would instantly prove a hit with Charlotte, it's any book that combines "Strictly Come Dancing" style moves, with the world's slinkiest cat. Joanna Boyle's "fahhhh-bulous darling" book (endorsed by none other than Strictly's Mr Nasty Craig Revel Horwood and choreographer extraordinaire Arlene Phillips) is a bouncing, fleet-footed celebration of dancing (and cats, yay!)

Oscar is the main character, who is an ordinary everyday house cat. But as soon as his owners depart for work, Oscar leads a double life. Oscar is a dance superstar!

Name any dance style and Oscar can perform it with ease. Teaming up with a cute kitty-cat of a partner, Oscar cuts a deft wave through his neighbourhood and is often the star of the show.

Cuban, Salsa, Foxtrot, two-step, Oscar can do the lot but there's one type of dance Oscar cannot resist, above all others. Can you guess what it is?

It's quite something to see a six year old completely absorbed in a book, but it's quite something else to see her up and dancing around the room STILL clutching the book as she tries to replicate Oscar's moves, beautifully rendered and so full of vibrancy and movement - showing Joanna Boyle's innate sense of being able to capture the world's most fabulous dances on the static page.

Forget any official glitter-encrusted "Strictly" tie-ins, this truly trounces the lot!

I asked Charlotte for her official score and she held up a resounding "10!"

Charlotte's best bit: Oscar's energetic Jive

Daddy's Favourite bit: Brilliant fun for tiddlers, beautifully illustrated and told

(Kindly sent to us for review by Pavilion Children's Books)