The Killer Cat Runs Away
#6 of 6 in The Killer Cat Series
on Goodreads (87)
What’s inside...
Tuffy, the Killer Cat, feels unappreciated at home after a series of mishaps, including breaking the new TV, getting fur on Dad's clean clothes, and eating the kitten's food. Frustrated, Tuffy decides to run away and start a new life. He says goodbye to his friends Snowball, Tiger, and Bella, but soon realizes that starting over is harder than he thought and begins to question his decision. This story is a humorous adventure about self-discovery and finding one's place, featuring one of Anne Fine's most beloved characters.
Discussion points
Why do you think Tuffy decided to run away, and how did you feel about it?
What do you think about how Tuffy's family reacted to his disappearance?
If you were Tuffy, what would you have done differently in the story?
How did the relationship between Tuffy and his family change throughout the book?
What is the most important lesson Tuffy learned from his adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening. Show understanding and validate your child’s feelings about the events in the story.
Ask your child to relate the book’s themes to their own life. For instance, discuss a time they felt misunderstood like Tuffy.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios in the story, enhancing their creative and critical thinking.
Focus on the resolution of the story to discuss the importance of communication and resolution in relationships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Killer Cat Runs Away', the protagonist cat learns to take responsibility for its actions, reflecting on the consequences of its behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to acknowledge their actions and understand how they affect others, promoting responsible behavior in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the book, the cat starts understanding the feelings of others, especially after causing mischief and observing the effects on its family.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to consider other people's emotions and perspectives, fostering empathy and improving their social interactions.
Example Lesson: Conflict Resolution
Explanation: The story shows the cat resolving issues caused by its own mischiefs by finding ways to make amends.
Real-World Application: Children can use this example to learn effective ways of solving disagreements and restoring peace in real-life situations, whether at home or school.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The cat faces various consequences because of its decisions to run away and its other actions, which it learns from by the end of the book.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that all actions have outcomes, encouraging them to think before they act and make wiser decisions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the cat realizes the value and comfort of its home and family, which it initially took for granted.
Real-World Application: Kids can appreciate and cherish their family relationships more deeply, understanding the support and love that family provides.