The Diary of a Killer Cat (The Killer Cat Series Book 1)

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Told through the eyes of a cat, you get to hear his rational for killing other things and pretty much thinking his way is the right way for everything. Many Hamilton units come with interactive Grammar Presentations integrated into the overall teaching and textual context. Alternatively it is useful in demonstrating writing from the point of view of others, especially as children can often be quite one-sided in their thinking. It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common. Because let's face the facts here, Tuffy is able to be such an unrelenting hunter and "killer cat" because Ellie and her family in The Diary of a Killer Cat are shown by Anne Fine as obviously having no qualms whatsoever regarding letting their pet freely and continuously roam outside and with there even being a designated cat door so that Tuffy can freely enter and exit at will.

The Killer Cat Series by Anne Fine - Goodreads The Killer Cat Series by Anne Fine - Goodreads

I’m the English Coordinator at a small little school and I took on the task last year of developing a guided reading programme for KS2 as I noticed this was missing from the school. A cat’s eye view of a week in which his family fail to appreciate the results of his hunting - and blame him for killing next door’s rabbit when all he has done is to dig up the corpse. These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath.The story is about Tuffy the cat who kills a few animals like birds and even the neighbours pet rabbits which his owners are shocked and put the rabbit back into the cage after they have cleaned it up. The Diary of a Killer’ Cat is unique in that it is told from the viewpoint of a cat- but not just any cat- a funny, sarcastic, wisecracking cat. I guess if you want your child to read about how doing whatever you want is okay and then lieing to cover it up is okay, then read it. Fine’s excellent use of humour is sure to keep children very engaged, as they get into the mindset of Tuffy as he embarks on various antics, mainly the killing of other innocent animals.

Diary of a Killer Cat guided reading pack by Anne Fine Diary of a Killer Cat guided reading pack by Anne Fine

Another writing task that could be initiated in using this book, could be one that involves writing in a different form. The illustrations in this book can also be used in which to inspire creative writing (writing in a different form again).

A great read which will have children and adults alike waiting for the next bit of mischief had by Tuffy the cat. It’s some good fun for kids, because later on the poor cat gets blamed by the dead of the neighbour’s pet rabbit and what happens next was quite hilarious. Each day “killer” Tuffy brings another dead animal which terrifies young Ellie and angers Ellie’s father so much he nails the cat flap shut. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny.