Edmund the Fulham Palace cat catches a new children’s book – WIN a free copy!

Friendly feline Edmund is the resident mouser at the former home of the Bishops of London.

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Rafi (pictured), age 9, likes The Palace Cat and has written a review published further down this page

Ever spotted an intriguing black cat strutting around the grounds of historic Fulham Palace or lazing in the sun outside the kitchen garden walls?

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Cover artwork from The Palace Cat book

If so, that friendly feline is Edmund, the resident mouser at the former home of the Bishops of London. He has now been immortalised in his very own story.

New children’s book The Palace Cat tells an exciting tale of time-travel and true events from Fulham Palace’s rich, centuries-old history.

The Palace Cat: Adventures in Time at Fulham Palace follows the adventures of children Tom and Matilda as they chase after the very real Fulham Palace cat, Edmund.

What’s the story?

Tom, Matilda and Edmund meet plant-mad Bishop Compton, who lived at the historic site more than 300 years ago and created a fabulous botanic garden in the grounds.

In the story, the trio also spot the thieves who stole Queen Elizabeth’s salt cellar and attend a garden party, where an emu runs amok.

Combining exciting storytelling with factual events, the aim of the book is to help younger visitors to the free attraction in Bishop’s Avenue to engage with its history and inspire them to visit time and again, explained art director Suzan Aral.

“The Palace Cat was a joy to work on,” she said. “With a project that involves an iconic London palace, time-travel, a queen, a cat and an emu – what’s not to like?

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Illustration of Matilda and Tom, two characters from the book

Rich history

“Working closely with the Fulham Palace team, we designed each page with great care so we could weave in as much visual detail as possible including long lost architectural features and finds from the grounds that are now on display in the Palace museum.”

Suzan collaborated with illustrator Jo Williamson and author Imogen White for the book project, which was developed during lockdown.

Author Imogen White said: “Getting to step through time at Fulham Palace with a magical pussycat has been such a joy. The rich history and true events uncovered at the Palace made for a rip-roaring story – wonderfully brought to life by Jo Williamson’s fabulous illustrations.

“Best of all, I love how the real Palace cat, Edmund, can be found patrolling the grounds today – in his role as chief mouser!”

WIN A FREE COPY

To celebrate the launch of the book, Fulham Palace has teamed up with H&F Council for a drawing competition celebrating Edmund, The Palace Cat.

Five copies of The Palace Cat are up for grabs for talented local children sharing their own drawings of the now-infamous Edmund.

Enter drawings by email to press.office@lbhf.gov.uk by Sunday 15 November 2020.

For more details or to book free timed visitor tickets to Fulham Palace, visit the Fulham Palace website.

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Bishop Compton illustration (pictured right) from The Palace Cat book

The Palace Cat review

By Rafi, age 9

I like the book The Palace Cat because Edmund can time travel through Fulham Palace and him and the children, Tom and Matilda, meet lots of people on their adventures.

I love the drawings because they are very imaginative, showing the exciting journey that Edmund and the children go on.

They meet Queen Elizabeth I, the plant collector Bishop Compton and a man who hides in trapdoors. There is also a tiny mouse on every page that you have to find in the picture.

I highly recommend this book for other children because it is very funny and Edmund is so cute, in the book and in real life!

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