The Lighthouse Cat :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review

In an old lighthouse, where a twenty-four-candle lantern lights a sparkling blue-green sea, dwell a solitary keeper and his little companion -- a cat called Mackerel. Together the two climb up, up, up to watch over the nighttime sea and down, down, down to eat and play.

On one stormy night, the quick rush of a fierce wind darkens every candle. Soon an errant fishing boat, lost in the raging black sea, signals distress. Sure enough, it is the sudden glow of twenty-four flashing yellow lights that guide the boat away from danger. Just what could those new lights be?

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Customer Reviews

We really enjoyed this book

2008-09-07
This book has beautiful illustrations, lots of alliteration which makes it fun to read, and an interesting story line with a twist at the end. I'm glad we added it to our home library.

Charming, and Informative

2008-01-07
Lovely book about a cat named Mackerel who lives in a lighthouse. Perfect for a child who has a cat (or wants one...) and who lives by the sea, or visits the beach (or dreams about it...). Beautiful illustrations and a story full of imagery, plus real information about lighthouses.

Lighthouse Cat

2007-11-16
A nice child's book with good illustrations and an orginal story.

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Exquisite illustrations make this book a treat

2007-09-27
Several years ago, a Chinese friend asked me if my cats' eyes glowed in the dark. At the time, I laughed and replied that it would be like the Blackpool illuminations in my bedroom each night if they did. I was therefore amused by the lighthouse being lit up by the eyes of 12 assembled cats to save a fishboat from being dashed against the rocks. This is a very original story and well written. Sue Stainton creates a detailed image of the lighthouse and its environment which is further complimented and given life by Anne Mortimer's delightful illustrations. From experience, I feel that tabby cats are one of the hardest varieties of cats to paint but she always does it perfectly and Mackerel looks real enough to stroke. Setting the story in a real village and real lighthouse also makes the story more special. Well done to both writer and artist for a winning picture book!

Gorgeous New Children's Book

2004-09-14
Mackerel and his two-legged friend, the lighthouse keeper, reside in an old lighthouse, where a twenty-four-candle lantern is lit, directing ships away from the rocks. Mackerel clims up, up, up with his beloved owner every day, to spend time watching over the sea at night, and in the day, the two head down, down, down, to eat and play. However, on one stormy night, the rapid, howling wind blows out all of the candles in the lighthouse, and a small fishing boat is lost in the sea, without any light to direct him. Mackerel summons eleven of his feline friends, and soon, twenty-four yellow lights appear, flashing left and right, that guide the small fishing boat away from danger.

THE LIGHTHOUSE CAT is a lovely book that will be cherished by all, young and old. The illustrations are utterly remarkable, and the story is beautiful. The lovely prose will have readers of all ages itching to read this book again and again, while cat readers will be racing out to purchase their very own copy of THE LIGHTHOUSE CAT. A must read!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper