This heroic tale was inspired by a true story that took place over 500 years ago. It tells of Katje the windmill cat who lives happily with Nico, the miller, in a Dutch village by the sea. But when Nico brings home his new bride, everything changes. Katje is shooed away by Lena as she sweeps the house or when she finds Katje playing with the new baby. Eventually poor Katje leaves her home and moves into the windmill. But when a storm breaks the dike that holds back the sea, Katje performs a feat of extraordinary courage that makes her forever welcome in the house.

 

This book was recognised by the Kate Greenaway Medal Award. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2002 by Walker Books Ltd .

Gretchen Woelfle is an award-winning author. Her first book, "The Wind at Work: An Activity Guide to Windmills, "led to her second book, "Katje the Windmill Cat, "followed by "Animal Families, Animals Friends. "Her stories and essays haved appeared in "Cricket, Spider, "and "Cicada "magazines and in the anthology series Stories from Where We Live (Milkweed Edition). She lives in Los Angeles. Author of the delightful picture book Katje the Windmill Cat, illustrated by Nicola Bayley. A truly gifted painter, best known for her loving, detailed illustrations of cats.