Jimi-My-Jim is a cat who lives in an apartment block with his owner Sophie and her parents. Every day when the humans leave the building Jimi sits and watches the world go by as he can’t leave the building as there is no cat flap and they don’t let him out.

Over time Jimi feels more and more deflated about his situation. Then one day when the humans leave in a rush they forget to take their keys with them and so Jimi uses them to let himself out of the apartment. He sets off to go and have some fun, starting with meeting the cat he has been watching from his window, Blanche.

Whilst out he meets lots of other cats, and a few dogs too and realises that there is more to life than watching it go by in the window.

Flat Cat is an amusing young children’s picture book about a cat that has essentially become depressed as he is stuck inside all day, every day whilst he can only sit and watch all the other cats below having fun without him. He’s lonely, yes he has his owner but she isn’t a cat. He wants to meet others like himself and he wants to have a life outside of the apartment walls.

The book is beautifully illustrated with full-page, bright, colourful drawings that bring the story to life. I felt really sorry for Jimi and was so pleased when he finally got to go out and meet other cats, although not so much at him inviting them all back to his home for a party!

A short but very sweet story that would make the perfect bedtime read.

Hiawyn has had a hundred children’s books published in more than 26 languages. Many have been used on children’s programmes, including Book Tower, Jackanory, and The Tweenies. She has also written scripts for children’s animation series and book and lyrics for musicals including the highly acclaimed ‘THE VACKEES’ and the concert piece ‘LAST TRAIN TO TOMORROW.’

When she’s not writing she paints and has had several successful exhibitions.

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