Born in a city park, Waverley is looked after by his best friend, Donald. Until, one fateful day, Donald signs up to fight in a war-zone far away. Loyal and patient, the homeless little ginger cat waits for his friend at Edinburgh's Waverley Station. He waits... and waits. Years go by but Waverley never gives up. He knows that home is where Donald is. Will Donald ever return and will he and Waverley find a home at last?

About the Author

Debi Gliori is a bestselling Scottish writer and illustrator with an international following. Among her 70 or so books are the Alfie stories, Pure Dead Magic, No Matter What and The Trouble With Dragons. Debi studied illustration at Edinburgh College of Art and is an honorary Doctor of Letters of Strathclyde University. She writes, "I've always loved drawing pictures, and as soon as I could write, I began telling stories. I was a lonely child and turned to books and stories to make sense of the world around me. I still do. I feel incredibly fortunate to do the thing I love best as my day job. When I'm not making books, I'm dreaming, reading, cooking, playing fiddle (not very well) and walking in the wild and the wet." Debi lives near Haddington, in Scotland.

Reviews

"An incredibly powerful and poignant tale of a cat searching for home.. beautifully illustrated... heartfelt and real, this story is based on the truth of those returning home from war, those who struggle to acclimatise and find closure. Debi Gliori is a masterful storyteller and this is stunning. This will accompany any KS2 topic on war brilliantly."

* My Shelves Are Full *

"... a beautiful, emotional picture book based on homeless war veteran, Darren Greenfield, who'd sit on the pavement at the top of Edinburgh's Waverley Steps. Perfect for opening up discussions about PTSD, war, and homelessness."

* LibraryGirl&BookBoy (via Twitter) *

"Debi's story is written and illustrated with such empathy and sensitivity, it will surely bring a tear to your eye as you turn the pages of this book. Perhaps even more so when you read at the end that it's about a real homeless war veteran for whom she wrote the book (as well as for all the countless other homeless people who share our world."

* Red Reading Hub *

"What I, the adult reader, love about A Cat Called Waverley, is that it's possible to have a traditional picture book for children, which combines some glorious art with a commentary on some of the less attractive things about life today, while also showing the goodness of many humans."

* Bookwitch *

"Not just a story about a cat, or about being lost and unloved, it's asking us to think about war, what it does to those it leaves behind, and how we care for them."

* Juno *

"In A Cat Called Waverley, Debi Gliori has created a truly special and beautiful picture book... Powerful and poignant, 'A Cat Called Waverley' is one not to miss."

* North Somerset Teachers' Book Award *

"A poignant story about homelessness and friendship."

* The National Scot *

"A Cat Called Waverley will tug at your heart strings with its poignant tale of enduring love, loyalty, friendship, and homelessness - and because it's a gorgeous picture book... Waverley will promote lots of discussion: love between animals and people, separation, homelessness, hope - and a chance to explain post-traumatic stress disorder, gently but clearly pointed to."

* Armadillo Magazine *

"A story that can encourage thought, reflection and open the door to empathy among its young readers. There is no attempt to point out a moral or lesson, the story, warm and engaging, is left to speak for itself."

* Books for Keeps *

"A heartfelt, moving picture book."

-- Carolyn Phelan * Booklist *

"An essential book for all primary school libraries."

-- Jon Biddle * English 4-11 *

"This poignant narrative picture book is inspired by real characters and explores themes of homelessness, loyalty, loss, PTDS and war with great sensitivity. This is an excellent text to discuss with KS2 pupils in PSHE lessons."

* School Reading List: December 2022 book club picks *


Awards
Winner of 2022 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards, Fiction 7-11 category (UK). Long-listed for 2023 UKLA Book Awards (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781913074067
Author Debi Gliori
Format Paperback
Page Count 40
Imprint Otter-Barry Books Ltd
Publisher Otter-Barry Books Ltd