The Cat Competition: West Dean Summer Fete 1935

By Luke McEwen

The Cat Competition: West Dean Summer Fete 1935

The Cat Competition is a series of wonderful stories which celebrate the love between a cat and its owner. It is set in the village of West Dean, West Sussex, in the 1930s. The book is for children aged between five and eight, and the chapters are just the right length for a bedtime story.

Drawing on some of the real-life events and characters of West Dean's recent past we meet:

The Woodcutter, who has moved into a house that already has a cat.

Mable of Manor Farm, who defends her territory from a Christmas visitor.

Miss Pemberton, the headmistress, who protects her cat from an unpleasant man.

Mr Cat and Mrs Cat, of the vicarage, who save the day at St Andrews.

Jaspurr, the Pub Cat, who is learning to hunt and battles with a fox.

Max, the shop cat, who is worried about his missing tail and realises that he is special, not different.

The Barn Cat, who has met the queen, finds a place to settle down after his many adventures.

Eejay, of West Dean Park, who chooses his own master and;

Ben Dunk, of Home Farm, who judges the Cat Competition.

The book contains 50 illustrations including the all-important map of West Dean, pin-pointing the characters from the story.

From a review: As an adult who still appreciates the joy of hearing a story read aloud, I adored these engaging, illustrated, feline tales set in a picturesque South Downs village. Children will love them too. The secret and not-so-secret lives of the village cats are playfully brought to life, each moggie having its own personality and back story. Each has a place in the life of a key village character, with human and feline paths weaving gently and amusingly together. The author's scene-setting introduction, drawing on real-life people and events, is the perfect prelude to the fictional feline stories which follow.

Now you know why I am so keen
For you to see the beauty of West Dean.
But why meet cats? Ah, that's the key
For they're my favourite pet, you see.
Not everyone loves cats, so be on your guard
Against cat-haters - such views should be barred
If they hear these stories and meet a few,
If they hear the wonderful things they do,
Marmalade, black, ginger or blue,
Maybe they will have a favourite too.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1910304042
• ISBN13: 9781910304044
• Release Date: November 2016
• Publisher: Unchained Pen Ltd
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.1" x 7.8"