The Last Cat: Beyond the Stars
A gorgeous short story from the collection, BEYOND THE STARS, written and illustrated by two great Irish talents in children’s fiction todayAs battle rages beyond the castle walls and soldiers fall like flies, the king despairs. His kingdom is crumbling around him, and he has lost his fighting spirit. His people know that without that, they will surely lose the war.While the bombs fall and arrows rain down, a black cat wanders silently amongst them, invisible but for her footprints in the snow. Only she may pass unnoticed through the deserted courtyards and along the empty corridors and snow-covered battlements of the once-bustling palace. For she has taken a silent vow to protect the princess who once saved her from drowning as a kitten. Watching her at play, lonely as can be, the cat knows she can never abandon her charge; she must help her and the young prince find each other, even if she is the last one remaining.A beautifully crafted tale by a highly regarded author with delicate illustrations to match by one of Ireland’s rising stars.
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The Battle of the Ice Queen by Gordon Snell, illustrated by Michael Emberley
Across the Cold Ground written and illustrated by Oisín McGann
Ice Fairies by Siobhán Parkinson, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan
Discovering Bravery by Emma Brade, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey
The Last Cat
Celine Kiernan
Illustrated by Tatyana Feeney
First published in Great Britain and Ireland by HarperCollins Children’s Books and Fighting Words Ltd. as a story in Beyond the Stars: Twelve Tales of Adventure, Magic and Wonder
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‘The Last Cat’ text © Celine Kiernan 2014, illustrations © Tatyana Feeney 2014
Cover design © HarperCollins Children’s Books, cover image © Shutterstock
Celine Kiernan and Tatyana Feeney assert the moral right to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work.
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Source ISBN: 9780007578467
Ebook Edition © 2014 ISBN: 9780008103408
Version: 2014-09-15
CONTENTS
Beyond the Stars is unique.
Why did twenty-three stellar children’s writers and illustrators band together to show their love and support for Fighting Words, a creative writing centre in the heart of Dublin city?
That’s easy. Because, like this book, Fighting Words is unique. As Roddy Doyle, the centre’s co-founder, says, “It’s a big bright room. In an area that needs a big bright room. In a climate that needs a big bright room.”
Fighting Words is a remarkable place that provides free tutoring in creative writing to all ages, but most especially to children and teenagers. It gives young writers a voice and helps them to reach their creative potential. And above all, it’s fun.
In January 2009 I volunteered at Fighting Words’ very first Primary School Workshop. The room was so full of creativity, joy and optimism I thought my heart would burst. With the help of a storyteller, an illustrator and a team of volunteers, each of the children involved wrote their own book. On the back of each book (every young writer was given their own copy to take home – complete with wonderful full-colour illustrations) was a photograph of the child’s smiling face and a blank box for them to add their very own writer’s biography. Leaving the centre, their faces shone with happiness.
Since that first workshop, I have volunteered at Fighting Words whenever I can. I have always left that big bright room inspired, uplifted and with a joyful heart. This book is my thank you to the centre, for creating a haven of the imagination – my love letter to Fighting Words if you like. I hope they will allow me to continue to be a small part of the magic for many years to come. A huge thank you must also go to Roddy Doyle and Sean Love for their help with this book.
Beyond the Stars would not exist without the superstar writers and illustrators behind this collection – all of whom said yes to contributing without hesitation. Yes, Chris Haughton, it was a little like “herding cats” at times, but very cool and lovely cats! Thanks to the team: Roddy Doyle and Steve Simpson; Derek Landy and Alan Clarke; John Boyne and Paul Howard; Judi Curtin and Chris Judge; Eoin Colfer and Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick; Marita Conlon-McKenna and P. J. Lynch; Michael Scott and Chris Haughton; Gordon Snell and Michael Emberley; Celine Kiernan and Tatyana Feeney; Oisín McGann; Siobhán Parkinson and Olwyn Whelan; and finally, Niamh Sharkey, who illustrated our competition-winner Emma Brade’s story. Mammoth thanks also to Ruth Alltimes, Mary Byrne and their supernova team at HarperCollins Children’s Books for their hard work and support of what is a highly unusual project. And to my wonderful agent, Philippa Milnes-Smith, for her hand-holding and enthusiasm for the book.
