Julia Donaldson’s newest title for 2009 is an instant hit with kids as it features the likeable character of a cat – a firm favourite with children. The book tells the story of a buskers cat giving an insight into the world from a cats perspective - any child who has a cat as a pet will find this highly amusing. The movie, directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman and written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang, marks the 11th adaptation of Donaldson and Scheffler's beloved work. The film is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, who both previously worked on Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation Superworm, and is written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The infamous partnerships of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is once again a winning formula as the illustrations more than do justice to the story. The details of Scheffler’s drawings bring to life further the story, and kids will have fun searching for the gruffulo (now a trademark to his illustrations). Julia Donaldson says: “The story is very special to me because as well as having been a busker myself, I'm also a great cat lover. At the time I wrote it we had cats, but they were very old and alas, are no more. But now we have two Tabby cats and they're called Tabitha and McTat.”

Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler | Waterstones

Upcoming animated adventure Tabby McTat is coming to the BBC this festive season with a star-studded cast attached. Jodie says: “Tabby McTat is such a beautiful story about embracing change and the transitions in life as well - from childhood to adulthood and people going on journeys. There is so much warmth and celebration of family and community, but then there's also, the moments of fear and loss that is often a gain.” Jodie Whittaker, the narrator of this year’s adaptation, reflects on what it means to her to be involved, how the story resonates with her own childhood, and of course, on being a cat lover! Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. Julia and Axel's book is a beautiful, heart-warming story that we're delighted to be adapting for BBC viewers this Christmas," producer Barney Goodland at Magic Light said in a statement.The film, for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, is adapted from the hugely successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It marks the 11th animated special of their work produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC.

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I used to love busking with my husband Malcolm when we were living in Bristol, and also in Paris," the author said. IBUC LIBRARY SAN RAFj 3 1111 033693308 rrom the creators of Room on the Broom ZJl/LlA Tabby McTat was busker’s cat with a miaow that was loud and strong, the two of them sang of this and that’– this particular tale is of Tabby McTat becoming separating from his dotting owner, the busker. After searching for the busker in the familiar square ‘he was never there’, so McTat goes on a journey as he finds a new family, and in turn a wife. The buskers cats life changes dramatically as he has ‘a very full life with plenty of things to do, like washing Prunella, and pouncing on Pat, and hiding the car keys under the mat’– and he even has kittens of his own, but he can never settle as he misses the busker too much. As McTat goes in search of the busker, his young son, Samuel Sprat follows him. Once McTat is reunited with the busker he then realises he doesn’t have time for busking now he has his life with his wife –‘then out from the shadow sprang Samuel Sprat’ - and little Samuel takes the role as the buskers cat. It is produced by Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures, which has adapted other works from the children’s picture book duo including Oscar-nominated short film The Gruffalo.Julia and Axel’s book is a beautiful, heartwarming story that we’re delighted to be adapting for BBC viewers this Christmas,” Goodland said. The story is a real heart warmer and told in the familiar rhyming , almost lyrical style, of Julia Donaldson - it is an excellent read. The BBC has released a first-look of forthcoming Christmas animated adventure, Tabby McTat, a story set on the streets of London about the warm and wonderful friendship between a musical cat and a talented busker called Fred. Parental note: Do not underestimate the interest from younger readers in this book – the powerful illustrations and the tone of the story are well worth introducing to them early.

Tabby McTat: Jodie Whittaker to narrate animated film based Tabby McTat: Jodie Whittaker to narrate animated film based

Magic Light's hugely entertaining adaptations of Julia and Axel's works have been delighting families and viewers of all ages for over a decade now," Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt commented.The friendship between Fred and Tabby is a truly special one and the film explores how their relationship changes unexpectedly as their lives move forward, and ultimately, how they learn to embrace that change.” I am a cat-lover, and I also used to go busking with my husband Malcolm. So I put a cat and a busker together in this story. Tabby McTat is purr-fectly happy, singing along all day with Fred the busker. But when Fred gives chase to a thief, the two are separated. The film will see busker Fred and musical cat Tabby enjoy their life singing to audiences in London streets before tragedy strikes. The friendship between Fred and Tabby is a truly special one and the film explores how their relationship changes unexpectedly as their lives move forward, and ultimately, how they learn to embrace that change."