Fred

by Posy Simmonds

A story of the double life of the laziest cat in the world.

Fred is an adored family cat (now deceased) who slept all the time -- on the ironing board, on the laundry, on top of the fridge, on cars, and particularly on beds -- although he took a little time off to sit on laps and to eat. Only after his death do Sophie and Nick discover that, by night, he was the Elvis of the cat-world -- Famous Fred -- with hordes of devoted fans.

Genres: Cats, Childrens, Animals, Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Fiction, British Literature

22 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Rosemary Elizabeth "Posy" Simmonds MBE is a British newspaper cartoonist and writer and illustrator of both children's books and graphic novels. She is best known for her long association with The Guardian, for which she has drawn the series Gemma Bovery (2000) and Tamara Drewe (2005–06), both later published as books. Her style gently satirises the English middle classes and in particular those of a literary bent. Both of the published books feature a "doomed heroine", much in the style of the 18th- and 19th-century gothic romantic novel, to which they often allude, but with an ironic, modernist slant.

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling all cat-lovers!

I just discovered that there is a very fine online movie of this classic children's book by Posy. If you enjoy magical realist tales of feline rock star sex symbols managed by self-obsessed neurotic guinea-pigs, this is the best example I have ever seen. I can say without exaggeration that it will probably never be surpassed.

[Emjy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Après avoir dévoré ses romans graphiques, c'est avec grand plaisir que je découvre les albums pour la jeunesse de Posy Simmonds. Comme le laisse présager la couverture, Fred nous raconte l'histoire d'un chat, mais d'un chat pas comme les autres. Gourmand et paresseux le jour, il devient la nuit venue une véritable rockstar, adulée par tous les autres chats du quartier. C'est avec surprise que les deux enfants de notre histoire, à qui appartient Fred justement, découvrent l'identité cachée de leur ami à quatre pattes. C'est drôle, touchant et comme toujours chez Posy Simmonds, incroyablement bien illustré et croqué.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reviewing this book for his column "Thinking in Stories," the late American philosopher Gareth B. Matthews wrote: "Most of us have quite different circles of friends. With one group of associates, I may be fun-loving, with another, I may be studious and shy. People I grew up with may think of me in one way; my college friends, or profession­ al colleagues, may think of me in another. A child who goes off to a new school must establish an identity in the new setting. It can be quite frightening to establish oneself with a new crowd. But it can also be liberating.... How can I find out who I am, or what I am like, apart from interactions with other human beings? And isn’t it only natural that one group of friends or associates will bring out one aspect of my personality, whereas another will bring out something quite different? The story of Fred is suitable for children in their very first school years. It is good for them to be encouraged to think about what that meant for them, and perhaps about whether they see themselves in a different way in school from the way they see themselves at home, or on the neighborhood playground." (https://www.montclair.edu/iapc/thinki...)

[Cherish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was probably my favourite book that I found at the exhibition. I found myself laughing so much. It literally made me smile and it was definitely a book full of surprises.

I am quite surprised that I never discovered this book back when I was in primary school. Although I am very glad that I have read the book. I just wished I discovered it early.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My partner has recently gone on a Posy Simmonds binge and recommended them to me. She felt Fred was a great place to start.

When the family cat, Fred, dies the children discover he was much more than a lazy cat who slept all day.

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and unique, featuring a comic book-style layout and lots of fantastic visual detail. This story about a cat's secret double life as lazy snoozer by day and world famous rockstar by night is a real winner.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

fred是一只非常喜欢睡觉的猫。有一天它终于年老去世了。家人们决定埋葬它。

这家的小孩子sophie和nick晚上睡觉的时候，听到外面的动静。他们发现屋外花园里有一只戴着帽子的猫，于是溜出门看是怎么回事。没想到他们意外发现，他们的fred是猫界的歌王，每当人们睡觉的时候，它就会到外面给猫们歌唱表演。

所有的猫咪都来给fred哀悼，它们唱了颂歌，之后又一起跳舞。第二天早上，家里出现了很多湿湿的猫脚印。而fred的墓碑已经刻好了

短小的作品，但是很温馨

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. One of my favourites for this year!

[elstaffe]

Sweet story about coping with loss of a pet

[Nefanee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite of mine as a child. I still have memories of my mom reading it to me.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute little book about two children who's cat passes away.

[Nathan Forester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chances are this inspired some horny content creators on bluesky to do 'old rockstar' as a transformation mood.