Simon Ships Out
How one brave, stray cat became a worldwide hero
Simon Ships Out by Jacky Donovan. Uniquely quirky look at HMS Amethyst true story told thru humorous voice of Able Seacat Simon the ship's cat. Simon Ships Out: How one brave, stray cat became a worldwide hero is a warm hearted and humorous look at a horrific war incident which most people today are unaware of. Able Seacat Simon was, at the time of the Yangtze Incident, a worldwide hero and photos of Able Seacat Simon appeared in the worldwide media, on television, Pathe News and even eventually Able Seacat Simon's obituary was posted in Time Magazine.
Simon Ships Out: How one brave, stray cat became a worldwide hero is narrated by Able Seacat Simon himself and is a witty, heartwarming tale of an exceptionally brave and wonderful cat.
Able Seacat Simon was, and still is, the only cat ever to have won the PDSA Dickin Medal, awarded to animals for bravery in war situations. It has currently been won by 65 animals - horses, dogs and pigeons - but Able Seacat Simon remains the only cat to have been honoured with it. His memoir Simon Ships Out: How one brave, stray cat became a worldwide hero is enticingly told and published in time for a significant anniversary of the Yangtze Incident in which Able Seacat Simon was involved.
The Simon Ships Out: How one brave, stray cat became a worldwide hero by Jacky Donovan is available in both kindle and paperback format. It is suitable for adults and children. Simon Ships Out: How one brave, stray cat became a worldwide hero makes a perfect present for catlovers and animal lovers. It will entertain anybody who enjoys an exciting, adventurous, humorous and emotional tale of one exceptional cat's ability to be a hero and a source of great compassion to the crew of HMS Amethyst during the Yangtze Incident.
I hope you enjoy Able Seacat Simon's story and recommend it to all cat lovers and animal lovers.
What readers are saying about me
Real life story brought to life in a truly imaginative way
What a fabulous idea to bring the true story of ship's cat Simon heroism in 1949 to life for the 21st century by creating a book which makes it sound as if he himself is telling the story! I googled him and he was mega famous across the entire world after WW2 and he appears on heaps of websites. But this book really makes his story ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY COMPELLING for a catloving and dogloving audience. Peggy the ships' dog - who also genuinely existed - plays an amazing role too.
Simon makes some wonderfully clever observations about the behaviour of mankind, has some really quirky turns of phrase and really made me laugh on several occasions at his cuteness or weird way of describing things. It really did make you wonder whether we humans are a bit daft at times with some of the things we do and it takes a cat to point that out!!
Simon is amazing. A must read
Simon Ships Out is absolutely a beautiful book to offer to your teen and absolutely to yourself. I have purchased this book and fell in love with Simon, the fictional and the non-ficitonal Simon. Simon is a real cat, meaning that this story is taken and written from true events which makes this book even more remarkable! I fell in Love with Simon right at the beginning of my reading and I would have wanted to continue reading and reading!
A hero, Simon showed me what real courage is! He is an inspiration and he learnt me to keep my head up high in any situation and that in life when we never give up, miracles do happen!
This book is indeed for people who love cats but also great for teens since this book is straight to the point and highly understandable. This book is terrific for anyone who loves getting their hands on a book based on a true story with a remarkable end!
Lovely story
What a lovely story! The author has put thought into showing Simon's transition from young and naive street cat to a worldly wise one. His language starts off a little strange and almost childlike but as the book progresses he and his way of speaking really mature. It was funny to see how his encounter with Lilette, a female cat, seemed to turn him into an adult cat! The story is well developed, imaginative and flows beautifully. I found it to be extremely enjoyable, very well done - technically excellent writing, good concept & plot. It shows just what an impact an animal can have on people's mental well-being, just like Streetcat Bob has done for his owner James Bowen. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves to open a book and get lost in a completely new world. 5 big stars!!
