Skippy Blackfeet

Skippy Blackfeet feels safe behind the cemetery walls, hidden from the dangers of the outside world.

Out there, dogs bark, and cars blare and blast. Out there, people chase him away with the spray of a hose, or the shake of a rolled-up newspaper. Under the shelter of his agapanthus bush, the little black cat is often hungry and lonely ... but at least he's safe.

When nine-year old May visits the cemetery to lay flowers on her Nonna's grave, she gets separated from her mother.

She's frightened and tearful, until she meets Skippy Blackfeet whose presence is as calming as a bowl of fresh cream.

When Mum agrees to let May bring Skippy Blackfeet home, their adventures have only just begun.

For starters they need to win May's dad over. He does not like cats. Especially black cats. Then there's the fierce neighbourhood dog, birthday party bungles, tumultuous trips to town, fireworks and thunderstorms, and everything in between But it soon becomes obvious that Skippy Blackfeet and May go together like milk and sardines, and together they can face any challenge.

Skippy Blackfeet is a heartwarming tale of friendship, acceptance, and belonging that will appeal to anyone who has every questioned their place in the world.

About the Author

Rebecca Fraser is an award-winning Australian author of genre-mashing fiction for children and adults. Her work has won, been shortlisted for, and honourably mentioned for numerous awards including Adaptable, The 2023 Readings Prize, Aurealis Awards, Australian Shadows Awards, Ditmars, and Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor’s Writing Award. Rebecca’s publications include four middle grade novels, a collection of short fiction, and over sixty short stories, poems, and articles in various anthologies, journals, and magazines. Rebecca has served as a convenor and on the judging panel of nationally-recognised literary competitions, and delivers author talks and workshops in both physical and online capacities. She’s proud to be an Ambassador for Australia Reads and a participant in the Australian Author Pen Pals program.

About the Illustrator

Jennifer Horn is a Brisbane-based illustrator and children’s writer. Her fairytale debut picture book The Precious Plum was shortlisted for the 2022 Little Pink Dog's Authorstrator Prize. She illustrated the real-life-inspired picture book The Boy From The Sea and an entry in the anthology, Our Australian HeART. With a background in architecture and film, Jen draws on her experiences to create whimsical illustrations. She is a pen-and-paper sketcher, and brings the line drawings into Photoshop to colour and polish. Jen has a black cat too! She tried to coerce him to model for more of the sketches, but he's too self-conscious.