Set in Greece, on one of the rural islands, this lively tale explores the lives of street cats Silva, Theo and Lila. These charming young tabbies live by begging from tourists, but right now they are hungry. A TALE OF THREE TABBIES occurs just as the coronavirus is heading towards lockdowns.
A family group of two sisters and five children from Britain heads for one final autumn break before everyone is quarantined. Together they make a ‘bubble,’ and they have the harbour village pretty much to themselves. The kids, especially Jack, are bored with no phones and limited use of one tablet. The sea isn’t very warm, and there isn’t much for them to do. The island of Agrion is settling down for winter anyway, when the restaurants close. Jack and his sister Lucy start to be concerned for the welfare of the many stray cats, especially their new tabby pals.
Sisters Emma and Jess are just about coping with five well-behaved (mostly) kids under fourteen, and the thought of adding an animal rescue mission seems horrendous. Not only is the pandemic going to limit travel and meetings, but Brexit is about to close borders and double the paperwork for goods and livestock. They try to reassure the children that the cats will be okay, but can they live with leaving the friendly little tabby cats in a quite cat- hostile community? It’s a lot to ask.
Told alternately from the viewpoints of humans and felines, the charming story doesn’t shirk from some upsetting concepts, so it’s not for very young children. Anyone from twelve to adult should be fine with the read. We see forest fires and other hazards of life in a warming Mediterranean. Young readers will realise that the logistics of travel are quite complex, but at the same time, when people are determined to sort something out and follow through many steps, they can generally succeed. These are great lessons. We also see compassion for cats and realise that strays should be neutered so as not to proliferate.
Jane Lightbourne has based A TALE OF THREE TABBIES partly upon a real incident. She supports a cat charity in the Greek islands. Having seen begging cats around tables in Turkey, Spain and Italy, I have no doubt that plenty of friendly little felines would be glad of good homes.
October 2020 and the world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic. On the Greek island of Agrion, forest fires are raging, tourists are scarce, and restaurants are closing.
Life on the streets is tough for street cats, Silva, Theo and Lila. The three tabbies are hungry, very hungry, and under threat from perils known and unknown. They dream of ESCAPE.
Ener young Jack, who has travelled to Agrion with his cousins as a legal bubble. Jack forms a special bond with Theo and is determined to rescue him and his sisters. But how?
From the author of My Cat Called Red comes an exciting survival story inspired by a true story. Designed for readers aged 8 to 11, this daring animal rescue mission will also appeal to animal lovers of any age.
A share of royalties will go to cat welfare charities helping the very hungry stray cats still in Greece.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026