The Girl with the Cat - Hardcover

by Beverley Brenna (Author), Brooke Kerrigan (Illustrator)

Nine-year-old Caroline Markham visits the local art gallery -- and makes an extraordinary discovery. In one corner there is something even more compelling than the paintings. It's a sculpture of a girl named Nina with a cat named Sammy on her lap, sitting in a rocking chair. There is no Do Not Touch sign like on the paintings. And Caroline can actually push the chair back and forth, and pat Sammy. Then one day a sign is placed on the sculpture: Moving Soon.

It's a heart-breaker.

Here begins the inspiring story of one girl's successful fight to save Saskatoon's famous Mendel Gallery sculpture, rallying an entire city to her side, proving to all that one person can really make a difference, even against soaring odds.

This is all a true story. Caroline was a real girl. And the sculpture is still in Saskatoon today. Author Beverley Brenna worked with Caroline in Saskatoon Public Schools, and she has written the story with the endorsement of Caroline's family.

Illustrations by the inimitable Brooke Kerrigan catch the magic of this motivational story and the daring of Caroline's efforts to keep Nina and Sammy close by in her world.

Author Biography

Beverley Brenna
is professor in Education at the University of Saskatchewan and a former classroom teacher and special education consultant. She has published many books for young people including the award-winning Wild Orchid series.

Brooke Kerrigan
has loved to draw ever since she was a little girl. If there was a pencil nearby she couldn't resist the urge pick it up and begin to doodle, so it seemed only natural that she grow up to become an artist. Of all her creative endeavors, illustrating children's books is her favourite.

Born in Toronto, she currently lives in a little town in the French Alps that inspires her every day.

Brooke has illustrated six previous picture books, among them Kiss Me: I'm a Prince!, Dog Breath and Fishermen Through and Through -- nominated for a Blue Spruce Award.