Barkbelly
A startling fresh voice in children's books! Cat Weatherill is one of our great storytellers, vivacious and inventive. She brings all her consummate skill to the creation of her first magical book
Michael Morpurgo, author of Private Peaceful and War Horse
The real star of this month’s fantasies is Cat Weatherill’s Barkbelly. What makes the book special is not just the quality of the author’s imagination but her richly poetic style.
Amanda Craig, The Times
Cat Weatherill’s quirky Barkbelly divides so beautifully into self-contained chapters that it is no surprise to learn that her background is in performance storytelling. Her curious fable of a wooden boy cries to be read aloud
Helen Brown, The Daily Telegraph
Magic and length now rule the roost in children’s stories: glorious when you get fine writing and soaring imagination… and Cat Weatherill’s Barkbelly falls squarely in the glorious category… As in all the best stories, what he learns on the way about love, friendship and courage becomes the real point of the tale.
Christina Hardyment, The Independent
I think it's just wonderful. Cat has brought her vivid storyteller's gifts straight on to the page -- her Barkbelly is a lively, affecting wooden hero, as much a real boy as Pinocchio ever was. This is a magical and moving debut.
Erica Wagner, Literary Editor, The Times
Cat Weatherill’s glorious book Barkbelly sees a little wooden boy delivered to a kindly, childless couple… It’s a beautiful and touching story.
Kim Bunce, The Observer
Snowbone
The book is filled with action… made all the more powerful by a spiritual undercurrent and moments of intense lyrical beauty. As the story progresses Snowbone grows in maturity, gaining wisdom and knowledge through her experiences. This is a dazzling book, inventive in plot and rich in language – Carousel Guide to Children’s Books
This book is a testament to the imagination. A children’s novel that will appeal to adults, Cat Weatherill’s sequel to Barkbelly broaches issues of slavery, love and death while maintaining a magical charm
The Big Issue
My particular favourite… a journey of discovery where they learn more about themselves than anything else
Level Up, BBC 2 / CBBC
This book is a testament to the imagination. A children’s novel that will appeal to adults, Cat Weatherill’s sequel to Barkbelly broaches issues of slavery, love and death while maintaining a magical charm
The Big Issue
My particular favourite… a journey of discovery where they learn more about themselves than anything else
Level Up, BBC 2 / CBBC
Wild Magic
Don’t miss reading this book. Like the piper’s tune, it is so real you can taste it –
GoodReads
The book’s greatest achievement is Finn. This irredeemable villain is fleshed out with such detail that readers will not be able to decide if he is good or evil –
Booklist
