Publisher Description

In a lighthouse lit by twenty-four candles lives a lighthouse keeper and his friendly companion, a cat named Mackerel. One stormy evening, while a fishing boat attempts to find its way at sea, a fierce wind darkens the lighthouse. A resourceful cat, Mackerel quickly enlists the help of his feline friends, who use their luminescent eyes to help guide the boat to safety.Anne Mortimer's breathtaking art and Sue Stainton's charming text capture the drama and beauty of a cat's life by the sea.

Author Biography

Sue Stainton is an art director and lives with her husband and three boys in southwest England. She is the author of many books for children, including the bestselling Santa's Snow Cat, The Lighthouse Cat, I Love Cats, and The Chocolate Cat, all illustrated by Anne Mortimer, and Christmas Magic, illustrated by Eva Melhuish.

Review

"This is a great book for children to read...and for teachers to share as part of a history lesson." -- School Library Journal

Kirkus US Review

This clever interweaving of two popular picture-book subjects, cats and lighthouses, is enlivened with Mortimer's gleaming illustrations, which literally shine here as the tale hinges on the reflective nature of cats' eyes. One Friday, when the supplies boat from the fishing village brings the keeper's groceries, he finds a cat amid the fish and names him Mackerel. The cat follows him everywhere and Mackerel scans the sea and alerts the keeper when he sees a whale or a boat. When a severe storm blows out the candles on the lighthouse, Mackerel sees a boat in trouble. He caterwauls, bringing 11 cats down the cliff and, wet and howling, they speed to the top of the lighthouse where the moon reflects in their eyes. The keeper sees 24 little lights, which miraculously turn a fishing boat away from the rocks. The amazingly realistic art (especially those gimlet cat eyes) outshines the flowery text. A one-page author's note provides a history of the English lighthouse that stood for 127 years and inspired the story. (short bibliography) (Picture book. 4-7) (Kirkus Reviews)

Review Quote

"This is a great book for children to read...and for teachers to share as part of a history lesson." -- School Library Journal

Details