New South Books
Rose Robbins
9781836300397/August 2026/AUD$19.99, NZD$22.99
This first in a new trilogy by London author Rose Robbins, who writes from her own personal experience, will make for a great addition to your inclusive collection. Framed as anthropomorphic young cats, the narrative revolves around two friends, Tangle and Eno, starting at their new ‘big’ school where they encounter neurodivergent kitty, Pelly.
This little pusscat has never been to school before as her only previous attempt was just too traumatic but her parents and her much-loved Granmog encourage her to give it a go. They worry about her lack of friends and, also of course, learning to manage her neurodiversity in other settings.
So to start with, it’s true that the rest of the class think Pelly is rather odd and Tangle and Eno can’t understand how it is she’s never been to school. But these two are essentially very kind although possibly not the most deep thinkers. Tangle particularly tends to act first and think after. But they really do want to make friends with Pelly as they can sense she is feeling isolated.
How they manage to do that is not without some big problems, but once they realise – and indeed, even when their lovely teacher realises – the whole class is firmly behind Pelly. And Pelly realises that she doesn’t need to be lonely, that there are friends to be had who understand her differences.
With plentiful cat wordplay and hilarious Cat School rules, this is a fun read that also carries important themes, understanding and learning for young readers. The graphic format makes for something different and it would be a great companion series for Julie Murphy’s Catty Corner series which has similar themes.
Just So Stories 
Leave a comment