Wizzy-Woo and His Brand New Friends

By Helga Hopkins, with illustrations by Debbie Clark.
Book Guild Publishing £6.99 (Hardback)
ISBN 978 184624 176 5

Bournemouth-based author Dr Helga Hopkins was persuaded by friends to put her engaging, educational and fun stories into print. The result is Wizzy-Woo and his Brand New Friends. Wizzy-Woo is a kitten. Born on a farm, he goes to live in the suburbs with a little girl called Kristen. At his new home he makes friends with local cats Sylvia, Squeeze and Boovoo, and has an encounter with the local bad cat Bivitt which ends up with the fire brigade being called out.

The author pitches the story at children who have just begun to read, or those who are about to start reading, and she does it superbly. As for Debbie Clark's full-page, all-colour illustrations, they are an absolute delight - evocative, well-observed, stylish. On this first showing there seems to be little doubt that the loveable kitten will be back for more madcap adventures. In short, Wizzy-Woo is a winner!

Find out more about Wizzy-Woo on his website!