Tabby McTat

[Fairylightstwinkle]

We love watching the Julia Donaldson story on the BBC every year. This year’s was my favourite one yet, it was beautifully done and I did shed a tear or two.

Who else enjoyed it?

It was a bit sad but well done

Unfortunately dd found it too sad and got upset

Prunella and Pat are definitely a couple!

Fully agree!

Unmoved by it, definitely no tears appearing in the corner of my eye, nothing to see here.

It's definitely one of my favourites now.

I've always thought Prunella and Pat are a couple.

It's interesting and unusual actually, how there are no main character children in the book or film. Prunella and Pat seem to be happily childfree, whereas Fred looks like he's single especially when we see his flat in the film.

The cat family is the main point, and they are a mummy/daddy/children leaving home traditional kind of setup, so Fred, Prunella and Pat in the background are a nice nod towards the fact that different kinds of happy adult lives are possible too.

I think there being no children also probably allows the children watching or reading to identify with the cats more, and they are the main characters so it makes the story more immediate.

Have now watched/read it 4 times in the last 24 hours and am overanalysing

I always thought Prunella and Pat were a couple, and also thought the book was set in London. Doesn't it feature Richmond Park with the parakeets? Or perhaps I've misremembered....

I've been to the Julia and Axle exhibition thats currently on in Manchester and it confirms in the Tabby McTat section the city featured is non-specific.

Will I cry? I ask because I was caught off-guard by The Snowman and The Snowdog yesterday. Horrific.

We've watched Mog's Christmas several times here this week, love it!

I loved it so much that I think Axel should illustrate another edition where the book ends at Christmas!

@PennyPinkPineapple I am usually quite pathetic and cry all the time at books and TV...but Tabby McTat really didn't get me 😬

Either I wasn't watching and missed some crucial part or I've developed a heart of stone, but it just wasn't that sad / moving to me (but I seem to be in the minority). Can only guess that it has something to do with me never having owned a cat..?

@PennyPinkPineapple Raymond Briggs adaptations always do it don't they. Whatever you do don't watch Ethel and Ernest. That absolutely destroyed me although it's amazing.