Sam Francisco and the Cat Disco; Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Binny Talib

Are you ready to breakdance, can-can, hip-hop and head-bang until morning? The best feline DJ is in town and it's time to get the party started.

Sam Francisco and friends are ready to party, to get their groove on and to dance the night away. They’ve got the tunes, their best moves, the milk and the glow sticks. There’s only one problem…a grumpy neighbour. Buzzkill Bill is determined to put an end to the noisy nighttime shenanigans. But Sam Francisco has a plan of his own and he is going to keep the party going for as long as possible…

Discoing cats, party poopers and the possible answers to why felines sleep all day and where they sneak out to at night make for a smash hit picture book that will go down a storm with groovers, movers, cat-kiddies and music-loving little ones.

Toes will be tapping, bodies will be shaking and heads a-bobbing as dancing cats bring a community together with partying and good-times triumphing over grumpiness and mild adversity. With the coolest DJ in town taking readers on a whistle-stop tour of musical genres, the party is in full swing as Sam Francisco and friends threaten to do for cats what a certain Mr Maclary did for canines. Yes Sarah and Binny, we definitely need more from Queen-Bee Jean, Blaze McFades, Frederick Fish Pie and Cosmo Wildcard. I also need to know what happened to Billy Bob Bananas’ pyjamas!

Overflowing with fun and funk and featuring a brilliant ensemble of sharply dressed, fantastic characters, this vibrant and energetic exploration of music, dance and the joys of freely expressing oneself will be loved by littlies. Sarah Tagholm beats a great rhythm with energetic rhyming prose that is perfect for reading aloud and the colourful artwork of Binny Talib exudes fun and charm by the bucketload.

Guaranteed to get everyone dancing like there’s no tomorrow. Best not to be read just before bed or you might end up pulling an all-nighter, just like Sam Francisco and his partying pals.

Recommended for 3+.

With huge thanks to Affirm Press for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.