Atticus Claw Breaks the Law

Jennifer Gray's Atticus Claw Breaks the Law is a very funny animal caper for 7 year olds starring a tabby cat who steals for a living.

What happens

Atticus Grammaticus Cattypuss Claw is lounging on a comfy bed in Monte Carlo when a terrified pigeon turns up with a message. Somebody wants to meet him in Littleton-on-Sea, a sleepy seaside town. Atticus can never resist a mystery. So off he goes, by cruise ship, train and an old lady's shopping basket.

The somebody turns out to be Jimmy Magpie and his gang, Slasher and Thug. They want Atticus to burgle the houses of Littleton, and they're paying in sardines. Six per job (Atticus haggled).

First, though, Atticus needs somewhere to stay. He follows Michael and Callie Cheddar home because their childminder has a basket of fresh sardines. There's just one problem. Their dad is the town's new police inspector, and he can't stand cats.

It's silly from start to finish. The magpies hold a very solemn funeral for their friend Beaky (flattened by a car), and it's somehow hilarious rather than sad. Inspector Cheddar's polished badge turns up in the fridge. Mrs Tucker the childminder rides a motorbike and tells wild stories about her fisherman husband fighting sea monsters.

And you're right there with Atticus the whole time. He's sneaky, vain and extremely pleased with himself. He's also rather enjoying the cuddles and the treats more than he expected to. Will he really just do the job and scram?

If you've got a reader who loves animals that answer back and grown-ups who are a bit ridiculous, this is loads of fun. There's a big antiques fair coming up at Toffly Hall, too, with a diamond tiara on show (and a gang of magpies watching it very closely).

What to read next

If they're after more animal mayhem from Jennifer Gray, try Chaos in Cluckbridge. A queen cobra has escaped from the city zoo, and a squad of kung fu chickens is about to get dragged into it.