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.