The Cat That Scratched

This second Long and Paul collaboration, a follow up to The Dog That Dug, is served up in the same irresistible combination of galloping couplets and teasing refrain. The cat will do anything to rid herself of a flea, including hoovering herself, going through a car wash and enduring the primping to end all primpings at the hairdressers. But '"Ha ha ha," said a voice, all tiny and teasy, "To get rid of me won't be nearly that easy."' The 'bothersome bug' and 'tortuous titch' (Long loves alliterative insults) eventually meets its end on the claw of an escaped lion. The plot is not as tight as The Dog That Dug but Korky Paul's unrivalled talent for conveying furious mayhem in two dimensions is given great scope. This will entertain kids from infant to top junior. I itch every time I read it.