The Dog and The Pram - A Jimmy James Story

About the Book

The Dog and the Pram is a story for young children. It is based on a real golden tabby cat – the author’s family pet called Jimmy James, who was a direct descendant of the legendary feral cat known as Maisie of Fleet Street, whom the Daily Express dubbed, “the cat that Hitler couldn’t bomb”. Jimmy James was a worthy successor and lived a long, much-loved life of many adventures. As always, such tales have been told and retold in family circles and have probably grown in the telling. In words and pictures, this book recounts just one of the many stories about this remarkable cat. It should appeal to any young child who likes animal stories. The tale shows how Jimmy James rushes out bravely at a naughty dog and saves two babies in a pram. The words have been tried, tested and enjoyed by 4- and 5-year-olds in an ethnically mixed North London primary school. The pictures, by a 12-year-old girl, have been described as “…very clever – quite charming and exactly right for the style of the story and its intended age group.” The author is himself delighted with them and cannot picture the story without them.

About the Author

I am from a large North London family. My mother was one of seven and my father was one of eight. There are children and cousins everywhere! Furthermore, I have always worked with children, as a teacher, headteacher and now education consultant and inspector. I have never lived far from my roots. Always I have been in places to the north and west of London and currently I am in a Hertfordshire town. My grandfather was once known as the "Tailor-Poet." This described his trade and recognised the publication of a little volume known as Kenwood Poems, written in and around the grounds of the famous Kenwood House at Highgate. I suppose that knowing this has always made me want to write things down. The Jimmy James stories are no exception. These tales have been knocking around in various formats for ages. They are a part of my life. Then I came across Grafton, where I was encouraged to produce them. The Reception staff read them to the children who liked them a lot but wanted to see some pictures.

I had already known Chloe-Leigh for two years at least by this time. She lived not far away with her parents and sister. She was the catalyst, the one whose first inclination is to be helpful. "I'll do some pictures," she agreed and now we have OUR book.