Scaredy Cat by Alex Falase-Koya ill. Ken Wilson-Max

ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Jul 2026

Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9781382062954

See also by Alex Falase-Koya: MARV And The Mega Robot [ACHUKA Book of the Day 4 Feb 2020]

Love this picture book and can’t wait to share it with my grand-daughter when she comes to visit next week. Ken Wilson-Max’s illustrations catch a timid rescue cat’s permanently on-edge expression perfectly. Alex Falase-Koya’s pacing of the story is just right for a picture book. Art the cat is soon nuzzling up beside Gabe the boy to listen to him talking about his comic book.

Gabe is a very shy child, especially at school. But when Gabe’s parents adopt a cat who is even shyer than Gabe, everything begins to change.

Whilst the rest of the family’s attempts to engage with their new pet only send it into hiding, it is Gabe who senses what the cat, Art, needs. Gabe sits quietly reading his favourite comic and slowly, slowly the cat comes out of hiding to join him.

As Gabe and Art bond, both grow in confidence and assurance. So much so that when it is Gabe’s turn to stand up in front of the class and tell them about his favourite book, he surprises himself, and his schoolmates, with his newfound confidence.

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Originally published at https://www.achuka.co.uk on July 15, 2026.