Bill Clinton had a cat called ‘Sox’ and so too does Lèo Forest, the illustrator of ‘Satchmo and Lou’ – a wonderful new children’s book launching on December 04 – and it’s just in time for a beautiful gift for Xmas for your child or grandchild. Or even you!!
The difference between Bill’s cat and Lèo’s is that Lèo’s “Sox” (“Chausette” in French) is a Main Coone, descendant of the tiger family, as are Satchmo and Lou, two mischievous Main Coone descendants, rescued from a rubbish bin at Melbourne Tullamarine international airport.
Illustrated by Paris-based, illustrator extraordinaire, Lèo Forest, who specialises in illustrations of cats, and written by Melbourne-based Margot McDonald, ex film and television producer, the story tells of the good fortune of these two mischievous cats, Satchmo and Lou, who find their way from the bin to a beautiful home and hence manage to charm all who come in contact with them.
McDonald says, “apparently, we’re living in a time when children’s reading is at its lowest in twenty years.”
In the hope to change this, the first Booker Children’s Prize has recently been created.
Sir Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the inaugural Chair of Judges for the Prize, says “reading – especially shared reading – really helps build the apparatus of happiness inside a child. When you share a story, when you share a book, you’re giving a child a hug that will last them the rest of their lives. It’s a magic bullet for resilience and happiness.”
Satchmo and Lou is a bitter sweet story with a certain humour that doesn’t speak down to children and hopefully will expand their world of caring and tenderness.
Margot and Lèo met by Instagram; when Margot saw that Lèo’s speciality was cats, “and not just your ordinary cat,” she says, she contacted him by Insta, sussed his interest, sent him her story and so began nine months of collaboration with neither of them speaking the others language.
They both agree the outcome has been extremely successful. Even the framer of the original illustrations – also an illustrator and owner of three (cats), was moved to almost tears as he slowly worked through the images.
Forest says, “When I was able to read the story of Satchmo & Lou, I found it funny and touching at the same time. Two Maine Coon siblings who had the extraordinary chance to stay together, live a happy life, have some adventures, and rediscover their animal instincts in nature. It’s also the story of two cats in a person’s life. This is the first time I am illustrating a children’s book. I have always wanted to do this. Margot’s beautiful story was a great excuse for me to give it a try.”
The original illustrations will be for sale with a Limited Edition of 4 Prints.
Satchmo and Lou will be available in the French language in March/April 2026 English Version available now via linktr.ee/satchmoandlou
For further information, please contact mlight@netspace.net.au
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