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
Insightful sensitive book
Clever idea to make history come to life by getting the ship's cat to tell the tale from his point of view. Made it accessible to likes of me who isn't into real serious stuff but combo of facts & the way the cat sees everything made it easy entertaining read. Surprised we never heard of this bit of history in class as the cat & ship seem from google searches to be infamous. Highly recommend to anyone who likes animals. Reinforces importance of them on humans who are struggling & feeling down.
Based on a true story this is a great read for catlovers young and old
This is a great read for cat lovers young and old. I enjoyed reading this imaginitive narrative, written from the viewpoint of a cat. Not just any old cat but Simon the morale-boosting ship's cat on board the HMS Amethyst during WW2. Simon PDSA Dickin Medal, the equivalent of the animals’ Victoria Cross, and became the first and only cat to have been given such a decoration. Badly injured during an attack on the ship that became known as the Yangtze Incident that killed the Captain and 46 sailors, simon recovers and carries on with his role as a ratter, killing the rats who were eating the vital rations and comforting the sailors who survived.
I'll be buying copies for my grandchildren to read when they are a bit older.
Simon Ships Out
Probably would not normally read this but having seen it mentioned I decided I had to give it a go and I was not disappointed!
The way Simon and Peggy and the other animals talk to each other, the drama of the situation is brilliant. Such an emotional ending! Well done Jacky, well worth reading!
Good book that leaves you wanting to read it again!
This book was well written. Especially because the narrator is a cat. If I could, I'd give it four and a half stars. The only reason I wouldn't give it five is that the book is a little choppy.
