Sabina and the Cats of Rome

Sabina and the Cats of Rome by Sophie Masson & Laura Wood (Christmas Press)  Paperback RRP $15.99 ISBN 9780645378894

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Sophie Masson is a talented award-winning French-Australian fantasy and children’s author of over 70 books. She is co-founder of children’s literature publishing house, Christmas Press. In 2019 she received an AM award in the order of Australia honours list for her significant service to literature.

Laura Wood is an illustrator specialising in children’s books. She currently lives in Milan and has illustrated many books for both Australian and Italian publishers, including an earlier book by Sophie Masson, Building Site Zoo. She studied illustration in Melbourne, Australia.

Sabina is a young girl living during the Roman age, who encounters a snobbish cat and goes on an incredible adventure involving rats, snakes, magicians... but mostly rats to try and save the King of the cats of Rome.

Sophie Masson has created fourteen chapters of an action-packed junior novel that is both lively and engaging. Her characterisation is strong and true for both Sabina and Cleo the snobby cat.  The setting raises the bar for young readers because they learn things about the Roman Age. The language, sentences and dialogue support younger readers and help develop independent reading skills.  The first chapter sets up the story very well with the introduction of the setting and main characters of Sabina and Cleo.

Masson leads the reader on to each chapter with great page turns. And there, sitting on a branch of the tree, and staring down at her, was a cat. The loyalty of Sabina and the snobbishness of Cleo shines through. I think just like Sabina needed an adventure; Masson recognises that younger readers do too. Mason brings in information and characters that later play roles in the story. For example, the dogs Major and Minor love chasing cats and rats. This a humorous read that is logical and believable. Lots of rats and cats would have been around in the Roman age.  It’s clever thinking to create a Cat King, King Rat and Emperor of Dogs. The dialogue is word efficient and helps move the plot forward. ‘You have hurt Cleo,’ said Sabina. ‘Why should I let you go?’ Masson is a seasoned writer, and it certainly shows.

Laura Wood has created one full page black and white illustrations per chapter. This is clever because the visuals set the younger reader up to make sense of the story as each chapter unfolds. The illustrations give information about what things might have been like in the Roman age. Wood has a style that includes humour and draws the eye to the parts of the illustrations that give the reader story info. For example, when the dogs enter the study Cleo’s back is arched with raised fur and the dogs are snarly with mouths open and teeth showing. There is movement when mayhem reigns like when the rat is in the kitchen and the servants are alarmed and one is armed with a broom. Wood’s attention to detail shows and the action and facial expressions and character actions are engaging.

Sabina and the Cats of Rome is a lively and engaging 84-page light fantasy chapter book for children aged 6-9 who are ready to move on to independent reading.  I can see children, parents, teachers and librarians loving this fun book.