The Night-time Cat and the Plump, Grey Mouse

If you thought that schools go all quiet at night, once its students have left, Erika McGann’s tale will prove you most wrong: in this picturebook, the corridors of Trinity College are not only the stage of a chasing game between a hungry cat and a cheeky mouse, they are also full of (friendly) ghosts of times gone by. As cat Pangur Bán searches between the stacks of books for his speedy prey, the reader is treated to a nightly tour of the college’s haunts and its bookish history. Jonathan Swift, Queen Elizabeth I, Oscar Wilde and many other Trinity related ghosts appear in turn and though they do not help Pangur Bán on his dinner quest in the least, they do provide informative fun to the reader. With patterns evocative of the Book of Kells’ illuminations and luminous shades of blue, yellow and pink, Lauren O’Neill’s illustrations beautifully accompany this story. The cartoonish features of the characters are expressive and bring an added touch of fun and dynamism to the story. Young readers will enjoy identifying the famous ghosts and their creations as well as spotting the grey and plump and oh-so-juicy mouse hiding in every single spread. Last but not least, the biographies at the end of the book are a very nice touch and will undoubtedly generate further reads, and why not, a visit in person to Pangur Bán’s favourite hunting grounds

* Children’s Books Ireland *

We decided to review “The Night-time Cat and the Plump Grey Mouse – A Trinity College Tale” by Erika Mc Gann and illustrated by Lauren O’Neill as a family. We all love reading and I am lucky enough to read both at home and school daily. Upon initially looking at both the cover, and cover page, of our new exciting book, we were curious about the time of day. What time of the day was the story set in and what characters might come to life? The story is set at night was the conclusion from the darker colours! “ A Mhamaí, the cat is called the Night-Time cat!” they all chanted at once … When we are introduced to Pangur Bán, my youngest, Dáithí, who is 5 ¾ years old, pointed out that he is bán as he has bán all around him. He loved “reading” the pictures for me! … The illustrations in this book help guide the reader and listener along the long, high halls of Trinity College. They weave a fantastic story laced with images of historic figures that have attended this university… We loved this glorious fun way to explore Trinity College with its “hauntingly” ( Muireann, 12) beautiful illustrations on a “spooktacular” (Tiarnán, 9)  journey through the university dark grounds! We are introduced to many of the historical and literary people who have been very much involved in shaping this country. My son Tiarnán, was fascinated by Queen Elizabeth 1st and Jonathan Swift, as he had read about both of them previously. I had told my children about Pangur Bán and his escapades from the Book of Kells when we were in Trinity a couple of summers ago. They were delighted to see him as the main character in the story. Written from the perspective of Pangur Bán, the journey through the story is thrilling, funny and very well written, giving life to the characters and buildings in contrast to the night-time scene. It embraces both Trinity College’s history, and helped us all imagine what life was like fadó, fadó. Dáithí pipes up at the end of it, “Could he (Pangur Bán) be hungry as he hasn’t eaten a long time like the other people?” Reading the illustrations made his understanding and ours a lot more entertaining too! A wonderfully written story, perfect for either day-time or night-time reading with bedside chats or even with your own cat curled up on your lap’ by Julie Anne de Brún, Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn, Co. na Gaillimhe

https://www.seomraranga.com/2019/12/book-review-the-night-time-cat-and-the-plump-grey-mouse/

* Seomra Ranga *

a fun romp of a tale which is greatly enhanced by O’Neill’s spirited and witty illustrations

* Irish Independent *

lovely

* Sunday Independent *

O’Brien Press has been producing beautiful books for the last 45 years … a sweet story that your little ones will remember into adulthood

* Sunday World *

What better way to explore Trinity College than this beautifully illustrated, ghostly romp through its' night-time grounds! We meet many of the historical and literary people who have impacted our lives and this incredible library and university right in the heart of Dublin in this charming, action filled tale. Told through the eyes of Pangur Bán (my absolute favourite vignette from The Book of Kells), the journey is exciting, funny and wonderfully written, showing real character and warmth. Not only does this picture book give us a quick lesson in Trinity’s' history, it opens wide the doors of the imagination. A perfect story to share as we enter this ghostly season

* Fallen Star Stories *

an ingenious collaboration between Erika McGann and Lauren O’Neill whose richly coloured illustrations bring a gentle, inspiring tale alive

* Irish Examiner *

Erika McGann has created a thrilling Trinity tale. The somewhat terrifying tale is complemented by Lauren O’Neill’s distinctive and expressive illustrations from amusing features to imposing facades. Not to be read after dusk

* RTEjr's Book Cl