Ellie and the Cat
What’s inside...
Ellie and the Cat is a children's book by Malorie Blackman that tells the story of a young girl named Ellie who is known for being particularly difficult and unpleasant. After a particularly bad tantrum, Ellie is magically transformed into a cat by a mysterious figure known as the Cat Queen. In her new feline form, Ellie must embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Alongside a cat she has wronged in the past, now turned into a human boy, Ellie faces various challenges that teach her about empathy, cooperation, and the consequences of her actions. As Ellie learns to see the world through others' eyes, she grows as a person and seeks a way to reverse the transformation. The book is a tale of friendship, personal growth, and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think helped Ellie and the cat to start getting along?
Why do you think the cat was behaving grumpily at first?
How did Ellie’s feelings change throughout the story, and what caused those changes?
What would you have done if you were in Ellie’s place?
Can you think of a time when you had to cooperate with someone you found difficult at first?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Change your voice to match different characters and emotions to help bring the story to life.
Ask reflective questions: After each chapter, pause and ask your child how they feel about the characters’ decisions and actions.
Connect to personal experiences: Relate the book’s events to real-life situations your child may encounter, enhancing understanding and empathy.
Encourage creativity: Invite your child to draw a scene from the book or write a letter to one of the characters expressing their thoughts or advice.
Highlight lessons: Discuss the moral of the story and its applicability to everyday life to reinforce positive values and behaviors.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Ellie and the Cat', Ellie learns to understand and share the feelings of the cat, leading to mutual respect and friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by considering the feelings of others and responding kindly, enhancing their interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Ellie faces challenges bravely, overcoming fears to help her new friend, showing that courage leads to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears, whether it's speaking in front of the class or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Ellie takes responsibility for helping the cat, which teaches her to be accountable for the welfare of others.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being responsible, whether it's doing their homework or caring for a pet.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The story showcases Ellie's problem-solving skills as she navigates difficulties with creativity and intelligence.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to approach problems in their lives methodically and creatively, improving their critical thinking skills.