In the world of this story cats are supposed to fly but Caramba simply cannot.
"It worried him a lot. 'Every cat in the world can fly ... except me'."
"What could he say? That he was afraid to fly? That flying made him dizzy? That he had tried over and over again and failed every time?"
At first his friends Bijou and Bug tease him but then they offer to help. Unfortunately while giving Caramba the experience of flying, they let him go and he plunges into the ocean. BUT wait - Caramba does have a talent - he can swim.
"What are you doing?' cried Bijou. 'Cats can't swim! Everyone knows that!' 'Well I can,' said Caramba."
This would be a perfect book to read to your preschool or Kindergarten group - it celebrates difference and talents and self-belief, friendship and even kindness. Caramba was published in 2005 but there is a 2022 paperback edition that is still available OR better yet head into your public or school library because they might have this book along with other titles by Marie-Louise Gay - fingers crossed.
I have now discovered there is a sequel:
On the final day of my visit to Canada for the IBBY Congress in Ottawa this month we visited several libraries including The Greenboro Branch of the Ottawa public library service. They offer so many rich programs and even loan membership cards so families can visit museums and art galleries and even the National park for free. Now that's an idea I'd love to see adopted here.
As we entered the library we spied a cart of library discards - books for just CAN$1 and my friend saw this book Caramba - she knows I love art by the Canadian illustrator Marie-Louise Gay.
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