What do you think?
Rate this book
Katinkas Tail
The classic picture book about a magical cat from the beloved and iconic Judith Kerr.This magical new book from the one and only Judith Kerr is brimming with her trademark warm humour and exquisitely imaginative artwork. Come on a wondrous journey with Katinka, a perfectly ordinary pussycat, with a not-quite-so-ordinary tail…A classic-in-the-making from Judith Kerr OBE, recipient of the Booktrust Lifetime Acveivement Award and creator of the iconic Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat, this delightful story is the perfect gift for boys and girls of all ages.
32 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
60 people want to read
About the author
Judith Kerr
117 books379 followersJudith Kerr was a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the Second World War.
Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.
Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 11, 2018
Katinka is an unusual looking cat that does everyday things, but one night, magical things happen. There are some nice drawings of wildlife for these scenes and I think a young child would enjoy this part a lot. Although lovely, not as good as Judith's earlier work perhaps, but an amazing achievement considering this was written so much later in life!
There are a couple of instances where dead animals are brought in, as happens with cats, we thought perhaps a moon mouse didn't need to be killed.
We love Judith Kerr's work and were pleased to find this one and glad to see she is creating stories.
There are a couple of instances where dead animals are brought in, as happens with cats, we thought perhaps a moon mouse didn't need to be killed.
We love Judith Kerr's work and were pleased to find this one and glad to see she is creating stories.
August 10, 2019
Katinka was a "lovely, perfectly ordinary pussycat." At least, that's what her human lady thought. The two spent their days happily together, but it wasn't until she woke late one night and went looking for Katinka that the little old lady discovered just how extraordinary her feline friend was. For this cat's tail, already a different color fur than the rest of her body, had some magical qualities...
One of Britain's most celebrated children's authors, Judith Kerr, the creator of the Mog the Forgetful Cat picture-books, as well the author of the autobiographical novel, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit , delivers an entertaining new tale with Katinka's Tail. There are some surreal qualities here, as is to be expected from Kerr, who often manages to subvert the reader's expectation of a "sweet" story. I loved the artwork, which captures Katinka's feline charms quite well, and enjoyed the use of shiny metallic ink, in the scenes in which our eponymous feline performs her magic. Recommended to young cat lovers, and to fellow Judith Kerr admirers...
One of Britain's most celebrated children's authors, Judith Kerr, the creator of the Mog the Forgetful Cat picture-books, as well the author of the autobiographical novel, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit , delivers an entertaining new tale with Katinka's Tail. There are some surreal qualities here, as is to be expected from Kerr, who often manages to subvert the reader's expectation of a "sweet" story. I loved the artwork, which captures Katinka's feline charms quite well, and enjoyed the use of shiny metallic ink, in the scenes in which our eponymous feline performs her magic. Recommended to young cat lovers, and to fellow Judith Kerr admirers...
November 18, 2017
An enchanting new tale from Judith Kerr, still creating delightful and beautiful books at 94. this is the tale of Katinka, a white cat with a tabby tail, and her elderly owner. The story is simple but charming, and the illustrations a joy as always. the sort of book that is a pleasure for children and adults as well.
March 25, 2019
Katinka's tail is a sweet story about an ordinary cat with an extraordinary tail :)
Perfect and light for young readers (barring all the dead mice!)
Perfect and light for young readers (barring all the dead mice!)
March 25, 2020
A sweet picture book by the author of 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' about an old lady who lives with her beautiful cat Katinka, who is a very normal cat, except for her magic tail!
August 28, 2024
This is my cat Katinka. She is a lovely, perfectly ordinary pussycat. Except, of course, for her tail . . ."All of the stars!" - small audience. Not sure what I was expecting here, from the author of the Mog series, but this has crossed right into the realm of fantasy. When that moment came, the tiny audience was enthralled and stopped to comment on how this book was 'getting better', and it was 'awesome, if it's real!'.
Come on a magical journey with a very special cat!"
Has one of those, "Wait - it wasn't just a dream?!" moments at the end, which foments much speculation on proof, etc.
February 6, 2018
Beautifully illustrated, magical and immersive. Let down slightly by the light story. Felt the journey was lacking something, though I’m not sure what. But it’s still a pleasure to look at and I would be happy to read it to children again and again.
November 15, 2020
Katinka is an ordinary cat except for her tail which is magical.
Not one of Judith Kerr's better books, although the illustrations are still great the story is a little slow to start and does not provoke as much imagination as her other books in my opinion.
Not one of Judith Kerr's better books, although the illustrations are still great the story is a little slow to start and does not provoke as much imagination as her other books in my opinion.
December 25, 2017
Lovely.
October 10, 2018
I didn't find it as magical or fun as her Mog stories.
April 3, 2019
A lovely tale about a cat's magical tail.
November 11, 2019
I loved this book, it was so cute!!
January 13, 2020
Sweet story. Points for main character being old lady, you don't see old people as main characters in children's stories very often.
August 9, 2021
The description of the narrator’s life with her cat was brilliant, five stars, but the ending wasn’t as good. I’d have preferred the book without the magic.
September 27, 2021
A story of a cat who had a different coloured tail. The owner loves her cat and thinks she is perfect!
November 25, 2023
Beautiful illustrations
books-i-have-read-to-eleanor
May 6, 2025It's okay. none of the story happens until just before the end, but it's nice enough.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews