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The Cat and the King #1
The Cat and the King
Nick Sharratt's fabulously funny debut novel is now available in paperback. The Cat and the King tells the story of a gentle, unworldly King and his very clever cat, and is illustrated throughout in two colours with Nick’s irresistible wit and humour.
The cat and the King must find a new home after their castle burns down in an Unfortunate Incident with a dragon.
They choose Number 37 Castle Close, and the cat introduces the King to all sorts of new experiences, from washing-up to shopping.
Then danger looms when the pesky, fire-breathing dragon makes its return.
Nick Sharratt is the fabulously talented author and illustrator of bestselling hilarious picture books such as Ketchup on Your Cornflakes Don't Put Your Finger in the Jelly, Nellie Moo-cow, Kung-fu-cow this is Nick Sharratt's first chapter book EVER! illustrated throughout in two-colour easy to read text - perfect for children learning to read
PRAISE FOR THE CAT AND THE
"A majestic treat", Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week 2016
"Nick Sharratt's debut novel is an entertaining mix of familiar experience and fairy-tale fantasy underscored by a thread of anarchic humour. This is a beautifully-presented storybook, in which the fabulous illustrations are as integral as the text, and will appeal to adults as well as independent readers." - BookTrust
PRAISE FOR THE SECOND BOOK, NICE WORK FOR THE CAT AND THE KING
In this second book about the long-suffering, loyal cat and the well-meaning but somewhat ineffectual King, there are plenty of laughs and brilliant illustrative detail (the department store is particularly lovely) from Nick Sharratt, whose recognisable illustration is such a favourite with children.
A heavily illustrated short novel for early readers, it's a perfect book for younger ones that want something a bit longer than a picture book but still love silly humour and a great, well-written concept. - BookTrust
- GenresChildrens
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Nick Sharratt
431 books130 followersNick Sharratt is the author-illustrator of numerous books for children, including The Foggy, Foggy Forest and Dinosaurs’ Day Out.
He grew up in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and Manchester, with his four siblings. He attended Manchester Polytechnic (now called Manchester Metropolitan University) where he completed an art foundation course. He was trained in graphic design at St. Martin's School of Art and took his later inspiration from the pop and graphic art of the 1960s, which he experienced as a child.
He lives in Brighton, England.
He grew up in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and Manchester, with his four siblings. He attended Manchester Polytechnic (now called Manchester Metropolitan University) where he completed an art foundation course. He was trained in graphic design at St. Martin's School of Art and took his later inspiration from the pop and graphic art of the 1960s, which he experienced as a child.
He lives in Brighton, England.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 8, 2021
A fun debut novel by the brilliant children's illustrator Nick Sharratt.
February 16, 2017
Superb read-aloud for the age group, perfectly targeted, great for bedtime...
This was just right for my 6-year-old. I read it to him over four bedtimes - 21 short chapters, illustrations (black/white/red) on every page in Sharratt's trademark style.
We have had dozens of Sharratt's picture books and collaborations over the years, and he has made an excellent move into the next age bracket with this debut 'novel'.
A King and his companion/friend, the Cat, live together in a castle, until an Unfortunate Incident burns their home to the ground and they are forced to move with their meagre possessions to a semi-detached suburban house. The King has never washed up before, moved a box, bought shopping. The Cat and he navigate their new world and meet their neighbours - will they be able to acclimatise and fit in in this very different world?
It was a joy to read from start to finish, I picked it up trusting Sharratt's name and hadn't read any reviews. My son found it very funny and complained every night when I said we needed to stop. The growth of the King is realistic as he buys 'royal related' groceries, the pair buy new things in a car boot sale. The Cat is a patient and loyal friend.
There is a lot of humour in this, and the King is a man-child in many respects that my son loved - sticking chocolate wrappers to his chair to make himself a new throne, going on the coin-operated rides at the supermarket, waving at other people from the top of a bus. It's well-constructed to appeal to a KS1 reader/listener.
We both enjoyed the ending, with a garden party and surprise antagonist who needs defeating, and the neighbouring family the King and Cat become friends with.
I think we'd want to read another story about the pair and their new life - there was unexplored story with the castle servants, and it would be lovely to see how a King copes with other aspects of 'normal' life.
Great story for the age group, hope to find more like this. One for ages 5-8, for sharing or for readers to try alone.
This was just right for my 6-year-old. I read it to him over four bedtimes - 21 short chapters, illustrations (black/white/red) on every page in Sharratt's trademark style.
We have had dozens of Sharratt's picture books and collaborations over the years, and he has made an excellent move into the next age bracket with this debut 'novel'.
A King and his companion/friend, the Cat, live together in a castle, until an Unfortunate Incident burns their home to the ground and they are forced to move with their meagre possessions to a semi-detached suburban house. The King has never washed up before, moved a box, bought shopping. The Cat and he navigate their new world and meet their neighbours - will they be able to acclimatise and fit in in this very different world?
It was a joy to read from start to finish, I picked it up trusting Sharratt's name and hadn't read any reviews. My son found it very funny and complained every night when I said we needed to stop. The growth of the King is realistic as he buys 'royal related' groceries, the pair buy new things in a car boot sale. The Cat is a patient and loyal friend.
There is a lot of humour in this, and the King is a man-child in many respects that my son loved - sticking chocolate wrappers to his chair to make himself a new throne, going on the coin-operated rides at the supermarket, waving at other people from the top of a bus. It's well-constructed to appeal to a KS1 reader/listener.
We both enjoyed the ending, with a garden party and surprise antagonist who needs defeating, and the neighbouring family the King and Cat become friends with.
I think we'd want to read another story about the pair and their new life - there was unexplored story with the castle servants, and it would be lovely to see how a King copes with other aspects of 'normal' life.
Great story for the age group, hope to find more like this. One for ages 5-8, for sharing or for readers to try alone.
March 2, 2024
The cat takes very good care of the king. Change may be a bit difficult but new friends can make it better.
November 15, 2019
What was the story about?
The dragon burnt down the castle so the Cat & the King needed to move. They moved to house number 37 castle close it was only the 2 of them because the servants moved away. Their new neighbours the Cromwell family made them some biscuits. They went to a boot sale to buy some furniture then they went to the supermarket to buy food. They made the King’s chair look like a throne. The King was feeling lonely so he invited the Cromwells to come to a garden party. They ate some food and played some games then the dragon came back! Mr and Mrs Cromwell threw some bottles of cola at the dragon and it made the dragon’s fire go out! The King gave all of the Cromwell family medals for saving his house.
Who were the characters?
King Theodore Hadrian Engelbert Kensington Isambard Nicholai Gideon, Tibbles (Cat),the Cromwell Family, the dragon, the Jester.
What did you like about the book?
I liked it when they got rid of the dragon because its flames went out.
I thought it was funny when Mr Cromwell was playing with the ball and cup game.
I liked it when the Cat and the King were doing baking for the garden party.
The dragon burnt down the castle so the Cat & the King needed to move. They moved to house number 37 castle close it was only the 2 of them because the servants moved away. Their new neighbours the Cromwell family made them some biscuits. They went to a boot sale to buy some furniture then they went to the supermarket to buy food. They made the King’s chair look like a throne. The King was feeling lonely so he invited the Cromwells to come to a garden party. They ate some food and played some games then the dragon came back! Mr and Mrs Cromwell threw some bottles of cola at the dragon and it made the dragon’s fire go out! The King gave all of the Cromwell family medals for saving his house.
Who were the characters?
King Theodore Hadrian Engelbert Kensington Isambard Nicholai Gideon, Tibbles (Cat),the Cromwell Family, the dragon, the Jester.
What did you like about the book?
I liked it when they got rid of the dragon because its flames went out.
I thought it was funny when Mr Cromwell was playing with the ball and cup game.
I liked it when the Cat and the King were doing baking for the garden party.
June 10, 2025
It was not a good read, and I did not really enjoy it.
It's not the type of book I would read again.
Nick Sharratt illustrated Jaqueline Wilson' book, so I was hoping it would be good! I would probably recommend it for younger readers, though.
Some parts I really enjoyed, but overall
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Happy reading 📚 😊 ☺️ 😀
It's not the type of book I would read again.
Nick Sharratt illustrated Jaqueline Wilson' book, so I was hoping it would be good! I would probably recommend it for younger readers, though.
Some parts I really enjoyed, but overall
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Happy reading 📚 😊 ☺️ 😀
October 3, 2019
4,5 / 5
I really love Nick Sharatt's illustration since I was read Jacqueline Wilson's books.
And I just know that he also write a book.
I really love the illustration for this book.
The story itself, is really simple but little bit silly, a little bit funny, and a little bit fantasy
I really love Nick Sharatt's illustration since I was read Jacqueline Wilson's books.
And I just know that he also write a book.
I really love the illustration for this book.
The story itself, is really simple but little bit silly, a little bit funny, and a little bit fantasy
November 3, 2019
My daughter 7 absolutely loves reading this book. She finds it so funny. Adults will enjoy the humour in this book too for younger readers. Reads over and over again. The King really isn't very streetwise but thankfully his cat is.
February 26, 2020
Super fun to read! We already loved Nick Sharratt for his illustrations, so delighted to find he's a great writer too. Daughter (who was AMAZED when I pointed out the illustrations only used two colours of ink) could easily have read this herself, but I'm glad we got to read it together.
May 2, 2021
My son really enjoyed it and he especially liked it when the dragon turned up.
I thought 4 stars, maybe 5. Ideal to get a child into chapter books with pictures on every page, simple story and simple humour too.
I thought 4 stars, maybe 5. Ideal to get a child into chapter books with pictures on every page, simple story and simple humour too.
November 16, 2021
Had a lot of fun reading this, after the more serious House with Chicken legs.
Ok so it's probably aimed at a younger audience, but the tone was so warm and funny we loved it. Not dull or repetitive once for us.
More novels please Mr Sharratt!
Ok so it's probably aimed at a younger audience, but the tone was so warm and funny we loved it. Not dull or repetitive once for us.
More novels please Mr Sharratt!
May 19, 2017
It is very easy to read. It was full of adventure. I liked it when the maids left their job and he met them later on in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2018
Funny in places but overal not very exciting. Good for the age range but there are better books for young readers out there. Think the dragon could have been used more.
June 2, 2019
It's very entertaining!
I love the cat who is clever, kind and likable.
I would like to read this book to kids 5 or 6 ages.
I love the cat who is clever, kind and likable.
I would like to read this book to kids 5 or 6 ages.
March 1, 2020
Lovely simple book lent to me by one of my class. Really liked the illustrations (made me nostalgic for reading Jacqueline Wilson) and the cat was an excellent character.
August 11, 2020
533 - 2020
February 11, 2021
Книжка, которая заставляет улыбнуться! Один только список покупок Короля и Кота чего стоит. Фаворит этой зимы для совместного чтения.
June 16, 2022
Light hearted and fun, with enjoyable illustrations this introductory chapter books is a great option for younger readers aged 6+ who are starting to tackle longer stories.
November 13, 2022
What a cute and lovely book. Can’t wait to read it to my children at school!
April 15, 2023
I absolutely loved reading this book to my daughter had us both in fits of giggles
June 27, 2023
I loved this
Read
October 2, 2024貓咪與國王
First read during typhoon krathon! this was fun and now I have so much random Chinese vocab related to royalty lol
First read during typhoon krathon! this was fun and now I have so much random Chinese vocab related to royalty lol
October 2, 2016
This is very cool chapter book for newly independent readers. Easy chapters, decent size text and quirky illustrations to help break up the text. Could well be used as a read-aloud for year 2-3.
February 5, 2017
I enjoyed the cat and the king
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews