That Cat and New Year

Shushana and Shurshik would have lived splendidly in the farmer's shed if it weren't for That Cat! He always ruins everything! Just before the New Year, there is joyful anticipation of the holiday everywhere, but the little mice are not... in the mood for fun. They have hidden a New Year's treat for themselves, but the farmer's cat has discovered their stash. Even though he didn't like grapes, cheese, and pie, he gobbled everything up to the crumbs. And he even wrote to Grandfather Frost that the mice were not at home, so on New Year's Eve, Shushana and Shurshik were left without gifts. However, they did receive one little gift — a golden bell from his magical sleigh! The little mice were very tired of the antics of the mischievous cat Antrekot and decided to teach him a lesson. How to do this was suggested to them by their neighbor — the wise Ton-Sy from the rat clan.

This wonderful New Year's book was created and illustrated by British author and illustrator Nick Butterworth — the creator of the popular worldwide series about the park ranger Percy (translated in Russian as Willy). It was translated by children's poet and writer Elena Mamontova. The story is preceded by a poetic epigraph, and the plot is constructed according to the laws of the adventure genre, where the reader does not know until the last page what the characters have come up with. And when he finally understands this, he may very well start dancing with the two clever little mice to a cheerful song to the popular tune "Jingle Bells," which has become a symbol of the New Year. The book will make an excellent New Year's gift for boys and girls, who will definitely love the friendly siblings Shurshik and Shushana.

Books from the series "For the Little Ones" are liked by curious toddlers aged three to five and by adults who appreciate good illustrations and love discussing what they have read with children.