Looshkin: The Adventures of the Maddest Cat in the World; Jamie Smart

Mrs. Alice Johnson is thrilled when she brings home a new addition to the family. But this is not one of the beautiful and cute kittens that lives at the front of the pet shop, this is the odd, freaky one that is kept out the back. And this lonely and unwanted feline is definitely not your average cat, this is Looshkin…and Looshkin is absolutely bonkers! Ordering pigs, releasing squirrels from the attic, causing Bear all sorts of problems, upsetting Great Auntie Frank, destroying the house and opening a portal to the realms of the underworld are all in a day’s work for ‘the maddest cat in the world’…

How best to describe this graphic novel come comic book…wild, wacky and wonderful! Looshkin finds his forever home with Mrs. Johnson, her brilliant scientist husband who has invented such wonders as a jet-pack and a tractor that runs on potatoes, their daughter - who if the other toys are to be believed is not at all sweet and all things nice, and her brother who is into scary movies and owns a book of spells. It is the perfect place for a less than ordinary cat.

Looskhin operates in a world all of his own, his brain is quite literally on another wavelength. Not even Professor Frumples - The World’s Leading Expert On Cat Psychology - can unpick the workings of Looshkin’s mind. From confusing a mail order shark for an otter, to freezing the house much to the delight of an escaped fat duck…or is it a penguin, to bringing a very literal birthday train into the living room, there’s always mayhem when Looshkin is around and he is sure to leave a very noticeable trail of destruction in his wake.

The book features lots of short individual comic adventures full of lively scenes that are exploding with colour. Each ‘story’ begins with “This Episode” with random Looshkin interactions popping up throughout. Expect, “What is This Biscuits?, Can I Use Your Toilet?, An Important Message and Let’s Play…Pig or Fish?”. All very random, all ridiculously good fun.

Readers will be howling with laughter at Looshkin’s never ending crazy antics. It is an outrageously silly read.

Recommended for 7+.