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Adventures of Dinky the Cat
(Naughty heroes, misunderstood villains, and the importance of universal kindness)
A rhyming picture book filled with fun, adventure, peril and salvation. A charming tale that explores the importance of kindness, understanding and looking out for each other.
Dinky is a feline wonder! She is brave, clever and at times a little cheeky! By night she quietly helps out those who need it, while also taking the chance to play a crafty prank or two on Horrid Harry – the village grump.
But when her adventures take her to the top of a tremendously tall tree, Dinky learns a valuable lesson about the importance of kindness and consideration for all. For there’s good in everyone, isn’t there? Sometimes it just needs a helping hand getting out…
(Keep an eye out for Dinky’s furry little friend, can you spot him?) 
“Wonderfully crafted. The perfect feel-good bedtime story” – Katharine James, BBC
Book Themes
Based flimsily on a true story
Aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old, the book centres around the importance of kindness as a first instinct.
The book also draws on a number of other themes – including, in no particular order:
- The importance of determination and grit
- That there is good in everyone
- That a problem shared is a problem solved
- The concept of ‘paying forward’ good deeds and thoughtfulness
- The importance of helping those who might not be able to help themselves
- Being brave
- Thinking things all the way through
- That your actions have a ripple effect, impacting those around you, who in turn create their own ripples that have been influenced by your actions – and so on.
About the Author
Duncan Spencer
When I was 12 years old, our family cat – Dinky – went missing. For two days we searched high and low, only for Dinky to be finally spotted up a tree in the local churchyard. The fire brigade were called, and Dinky was eventually rescued.
At the time we talked about how it would be fun to write a story about Dinky’s narrow escape someday, and so – when the pandemic struck and I was in need of a project – I thought I’d give it a go.
While I have always loved writing, and particularly in rhyming couplets, producing a children’s book had just always been a dream – and one that is a world away from my everyday life in the corporate world.
The story is set in the beautiful fishing village of Coverack in Cornwall, UK. A place of great family significance, with many cherished memories of family holidays there as a child and now with my own children.
I have taken great inspiration from my wife, our two boys, their cousins and my god children when writing this book. Thank you all.
I am pleased to have supported local children’s charities through the book, which I will continue to do on an ongoing basis.
It has been a wonderful experience creating Dinky The Cat, and I hope you enjoy her adventures!
The book is beautifully illustrated by the super talented and wonderful Becky Stout, of Stout Crafted Limited
Buy
Adventures of Dinky the Cat
(Naughty heroes, misunderstood villains, and the importance of universal kindness)
Available online in hardback and paperback from major book retailers and Amazon, who also offer an e-book version.
Links to a selection of retailers who distribute in the UK and internationally:
Amazon:
Foyles:
Waterstones:
Contact
If you would like to contact the author, please complete the below form:
