Nobody’s Nothing.

Today, I review Nothing, a Mick Inkpen book that I feel has been overshadowed by his Kipper series, but which is in itself a gem of a tale about discovering identity, self-esteem, love, family and friendship. The story revolves around a tattered toy cat who mistakenly thinks its name is Nothing after it’s abandoned when the occupants of the house he’s in move out.

In a quest to find out who he is, Nothing embarks on a journey of self-discovery, aided along the way by numerous animals. Finally, he’s led back to the family in whose attic he once dwelled, where he is warmly embraced. Nothing discovers that he is something. He is restored to his former plush glory by the patriarch who remembers him as a beloved toy from his childhood and given a new lease of life as the new baby’s soft toy. This heartwarming tale with its gorgeous illustrations will tug at your heartstrings and remain a favourite in your child’s library for years to come.