A Year With Melissa

By Alessandro Caselli and Marzia Bosoni

Respect for the environment, animals and ourselves - this is what the inquisitive Melissa, a 6-year-old girl discusses with Mr Cat, a wise stray cat. Six stories told over the course of one year in the life of the little girl to share a little of the wisdom accumulated by the cat over years travelling the world. Through these stories, the cat asks adults to stop and reflect for a moment on the important subjects such as ecology, pollution, pain and friendship. A children's book that appeals to adults who still know how to find the time to talk with their little ones. And Cats!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Feb 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781547565054

Book preview

For those who love cats.

For those who have green eyes..

For those who offer wise advice...

Introduction

If you don’t believe cats can speak our language, then you should close this book now and put it back on the shelf where you found it.

But if you do believe in fantasy, the magic that shows itself in the little, everyday things and in the effect it can have on an increasingly technological world, then read on. You’ll discover how magic and technology fuse together to help Melissa in her exploration into ecological awareness.

The Cat and the Car

Melissa woke up earlier than usual that morning. The sun’s rays filtered through her window and touched her cheek. Then she heard her father’s voice – he was complaining about the fact he was already late. He hurriedly called to her mother to get his breakfast ready as he rushed off to shave.

Her dad was a very important man in the factory where he worked: he was always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. And as he worked a long way from home, there were days when Melissa didn’t even see him. Her dad left while she was still asleep and came home when she had already fallen into bed. She’d be exhausted from the countless games she’d played with her friends (those mum and dad never did manage to spot), or from boredom, after having been left in front of the television for hours.

Melissa was happy to think she might be able to see her father that morning, so she quickly got up and ran into the lounge. When mum and dad saw her, they hid their tense faces and wished her good morning, hugging her.

Daddy...

I’m sorry, Sweetheart, I don’t have time to play now. I’m very late and have to rush...

Sit on the sofa, added mum, And when Daddy is ready, I shall make our breakfast.

Melissa was a determined child, if not a little stubborn. And she didn’t understand why her dad couldn’t stay for just one minute to be with her, especially as she had hurried out of her comfy bed to say Good Morning to him.

Why do you have to rush off, Daddy?

Her dad shouted his reply from the bathroom, while he prepared his shaving foam – his electric shaver irritated his face and he had to look just right to go to the office.

Sweetheart, you know why, I’ve told you a thousand times already... I have to drive a long way to get to work...

Melissa listened to her father and watched him in the mirror, as he smoothed the shaving foam on his face.

... I have to work so we can have money... Money to buy lots of lovely presents for you... But you’re lucky, you can sleep. Enjoy it though, because life will get harder...

Melissa didn’t care about work, money, presents or sleeping. She just wanted to spend some time with her dad, who by then had started shaving.

Ouch...!

Shaving in a rush is much more dangerous than applying shaving foam in a hurry. Now, her dad had to put a plaster on his face, meaning he’d lose even more time and be in an even worse mood. So, Melissa decided to follow her mum’s advice and went to sit on the sofa in front of the television that constantly chattered in the background.

Fifteen minutes later, her dad had put on a plaster and was ready to leave.

My bosses will give me right telling off..., he said, facing mum. I’ll never manage to clock in at 8.30 – all because of those cheap razors you bought... Don’t I bring home enough money? Can’t we afford the brand of razors that cut my stubble and not my skin? Make sure you look at the offers for your creams and perfume as well!

Mum banged the coffee maker down noisily on the oven but didn’t reply. Melissa was quite used to the bickering between her mum and dad, especially when one of them was anxious about work, which was most of the time.

Her dad had already left the house, when he remembered something. He rushed back and put his head