Pudding Tat is born on the Willoughby Farm in 1901 — just another one of Mother Tat’s kittens. But it turns out that Pudding is anything but ordinary. He is pure white with pink eyes that, though beautiful, do not see well, and hearing that is unusually acute. He finds himself drawn to the sweet sounds of the world around him — the pattering heartbeat of a nearby mouse, the musical tinkling of a distant stream.
Soon the sounds of adventure call to Pudding, too. But before he can strike out into the wide world on his own, he hears a voice — coming from right inside his own ear. A flea has claimed Pudding as his host. The bossy parasite demands that Pudding take him away from the lowly barn and the drunken singing of his fellow fleas. He doesn’t want adventure but a finer life — one where he can enjoy a warm bed and blood flavored not with mice, but with beef tenderloin and cream.
Fortunately for this mismatched pair, the world is an extremely interesting place in 1901. Over the next decade and a half, Pudding and his flea find themselves helping to make history — a journey over Niagara Falls in a barrel, a visit to the Pan-American Exposition on the day President McKinley is shot, a luxurious stay in Manhattan with songwriter Vincent Bryan, a terrifying trip on the airship America, and a voyage on the ill-fated Titanic.
Through each narrow escape, the call to adventure for the cat, and luxury for his disgruntled flea, beckons them on, right to the devastation of a World War I battlefield. Then Pudding is filled with a new longing, one that brings him, with his flea’s help now, full circle and back home.
Shortlisted for the the 2020-21 Chocolate Lily Book Award
Publisher’s Link: Groundwood Books
Buy at Amazon.ca or a local bookstore.
View an interview with Caroline Adderson about The Mostly True Story of Pudding Tat, Adventuring Cat
Praise for Pudding Tat:
“In her latest middle-grade novel, Caroline Adderson blends the right mix of history and fiction while crafting a story of cooperation, resilience, and bravery. Pudding Tat, named for the special dessert Farmer Willoughby brought to his Wellington County barn cats on Christmas Day, is a concern for his mother. White as snow with eyes as pink as his tongue, Pudding is not adept at catching mice or steering clear of danger. When Mother Tat pushes all her kittens – except Pudding – to leave their barn home, the titular hero literally gets a flea in his ear that encourages him to set off as well. With each successive chapter, the relationship between Pudding and his flea develops from one of parasitism to one of mutualism… Because Pudding relies so much on his hearing, he’s often guided by music, which lures him into new circumstances – sometimes fortuitous, sometimes perilous. In the end, the adventurers make their way home, having defied all expectations. Pudding Tat is a modest and heartfelt, albeit accidental, hero – a feline Forrest Gump.”
“For middle-grade readers, nothing could be better than the delightfully madcap and thrilling adventures of Pudding Tat in Caroline Adderson’s playful romp. Pudding, an albino cat born in Welland County in 1901, wants to see the world – and see it he does! With his boon companion, a flea he “hosts,” Pudding goes over Niagara Falls in a barrel, nearly drowns when the Titanic sinks and is on the Western Front for the Christmas Truce of 1914. Adderson not only spins a wonderful tall-tale but the sweet relationship that develops between Pudding and his flea friend unfolds beautifully. Kudos go, too, to illustrator Stacy Innerst, whose chapter drawings give the book just the right sense of history.”
“Pudding Tat, an albino feline with pink eyes, doesn’t let his near-blindness keep him from exploring the world. Alond with an unnamed flea, he finds himself caught up in six adventures, each taking place at historic moments of the early twentieth century. Despite Mother Tat’s worrying, Pudding ventures out from their farm home in Ontario, takes a ride in a barrel over Niagara Falls, witnesses the assassination of President McKinley, explores New York City, takes part in the maiden voyage of an airship, nearly sinks with the Titanic, and is present during the famous Christmas truce of WW1. The friendly, if annoying, flea lodged in Pudding’s ear encourages him to avoid danger and seek comfort, but it is luck that seems to ensure their survival in the end. History-lovers will appreciate the story, and animal-lovers will keep reading to see where Pudding lands. Adderson’s book is especially worthy for showing that a disability need not thwart one’s sens of adventure.”
“A cat with albinism traipses in and out of some of early-20th-century North America’s landmark moments. From an Ontario farm, Pudding Tat makes his way to the bottom of Niagara Falls via barrel; to Buffalo via rail, where he attends the Pan-American Exposition; to New York City via motorcar, where he lives with the lyricist of “In My Merry Oldsmobile”; to the airship America as it attempts the first trans-Atlantic flight in history; to London via steamship before he heads back to North America on…the Titanic. This Forrest Gump of a cat is accompanied by an unnamed, irascible flea who acts as the cat’s guide, compensating for his vision impairment… Lovers of animal fantasy drawn to the book will find themselves taking in some history they likely never would have thought themselves interested in before.”
Kirkus Reviews
“The Mostly True Story of Pudding Tat, Adventuring Cat is a beautifully told tongue-in-cheek story, the ‘mostly true’ in the title and the author’s afterword a warning that a few liberties with the exact historical truth have been taken! It is an inventive and creative tale, the unassuming cat and his go-getter pushy flea being unlikely heroes! As adventurers, they often find themselves in tense situations, but they also have happy times. The fact they end up so many years later where it all began is a lovely and satisfying conclusion to Pudding’s adventures. This mixture of history and animal fantasy by an award-winning author is an involving read that children will enjoy. The Mostly True Story of Pudding Tat, Adventuring Cat would also make a great title for librarians and teachers to use in booktalks. Highly Recommended”
“I love the concept of the book and the idea that the same visually-impaired cat was a part of all these events and changed peoples’ lives. I also found the way Pudding Tat was able to find his way around using his other senses and the flea was very creative. The descriptions were great while not being wordy and I was able to visualize what was going on clearly. I also loved how Caroline Adderson added songs into her writing. I would give Caroline Adderson’s The Mostly True Story of Pudding Tat, Adventuring Cat 9 out of 10. “