This month we reviewed “The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat”. This book is written by Coral Rumble and illustrated by Charlotte Cooke, who happen to be mother and daughter.
I love the original “The Owl and the Pussycat” “nonsense” poem by Edward Lear and still have happy memories of acting it out in infant school, therefore I was excited to see this months book choice.
When we first read the book together, I loved how it is inspired by “The Owl and the Pussycat” and also celebrates children’s imagination and play.
This version chronicles the adventures of a brother and sister, dressed up as an owl and a pussycat sailing away in a box on the living room floor.
As soon as we had finished the book the kids wanted to recreate their own boat on a living room floor. We waited until Daddy had a delivery in work, which always means big, fun boxes to play with. Then, one stormy day when he weather was too bad to venture outside we recreated this story.
We used some of the creatures and objects featured in the book…
…and also chose things that we thought we might see, such as a Mermaid and a seahorse.
The rhyming list of “the things that they saw” is very funny to read and will reduce your children or class to giggles. The illustrations are enchanting and so detailed. I love how the illustrator has made it personal by using special dates such as her own daughter’s date of birth on the passport.
We enjoyed this book as a fun, play inspiring book, but it also makes a perfect bedtime story with it’s relaxing ending.
And slept by the light of the moon, the moon, the moon,
How lovely to go to bed dreaming of these fun adventures.
There is so much to take from this book and other activities that I would recommend are:
- Read or re-read the original poem
- Make an owl and pussy cat mask
- Make owl and pussy cat puppets
- Make a treasure map to put in an old bottle
- Make your own cardboard box boat to sail in
- Look at a globe or maps to decide where to go
- Spend a craft day making all the things you will see on your adventure
Have fun!
I am a Parragon Book Buddy and was sent “The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat” to review.
Such a fantastic review and brilliant ideas! Your children look like they had a really great time :DI love Charlotte Cooke's work, she's pretty much my favourite modern illustrator – I had no idea that Coral Rumble was her Mother! 😀
Thanks. Yes they had great fun. Played until the cardboard box was in shreds on the living room floor! 🙂 She is so talented. I only knew as I read the interview whilst writing the review. How lovely to write and illustrate a book together. 🙂
Looks like you all had great fun 🙂