Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar On TV

Clara Vulliamy's Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar On TV is a very funny animal story for 5 year olds about a very fluffy cat who's sure he's a star, and a kitten who might just steal his spotlight.

What happens

Marshmallow Pie tells the story himself, and he isn't a modest cat. "Actor. Celebrity. Superstar." That's how he introduces himself. He also takes at least twenty proper naps a day (relaxing is VERY important).

Then a job comes in for a TV advert. It's for Mini Crunchlets, a tiny version of his favourite biscuits, made for kittens. His co-star is Gingernut, the one kitten he's ever met, and he's been avoiding her ever since. Oh, and first he has to have a BATH.

At the studio there's a trailer with pink velvet sofas and a fridge full of snacks, which Pie thinks is only right. The director, Brad, is rude, shouty and very orange (Pie isn't sure what a fake tan is). Gingernut tries SO hard. Pie hogs her best move, sits on her rucksack and gobbles her treats.

When Brad yells at Gingernut over an accident, Pie finally sees what he's been doing. And he makes it up to her in the most spectacular, catastrophic way possible.

The joke is always that Pie thinks he's marvellous while we can see exactly what's going on, and little readers love being in on it. And is there anything more cat-like than nudging a bowl off a table while staring someone straight in the eye? (A very expensive bowl, too.)

There's a sweet human story underneath. Amelia is shy, and starting a pet newspaper with Zack from school turns into a new friendship. The message about being kind comes through the jokes, never on top of them.

It's eight short chapters with plenty of capital letters for shouting, so it works as a read-aloud or for a newly confident reader.

What to read next

If this one goes down well, go back to the very first Marshmallow Pie book, which starts with a leaflet from the pet shop and a lot of reluctant training.