The Paw Thing by Paul Jennings

This week as I prepared for assignment two, I have been reading books by the Australian author Paul Jennings. The Paw Thing was a favourite from my childhood, but I never really had the chance to analyse it before. I noticed how Jennings cunningly utilises techniques such as foreshadowing to intrigue the reader and make the plot understandable. As with any other Paul Jennings short novel, it ends with a twist. After the cat Singenpoo does not chase mice, he is not fed by Mac, (the take away shop owner), and is also accused of reading and disclosing the secret recipe to the rival take away shop next door. Singenpoo is eventually sent to be put down. The young worker, (who's name we never discover) saves the cat and feeds him secretly. When Mac's shop is overrun by mice, a healthy Singenpoo rescues the day and is made a hero and the accusations of Singenpoo disclosing the recipe are dropped. Mac lastly discovers a paw print on his secret recipe book. Cats can not read?! Or can they!?

The Paw Thing is suitable for children ages 9-13. For older readers the use of foreshadowing by Jennings makes the plot identifiable and not intriguing. Therefore, it would be a great piece of literature for younger children as they will still be able to let their imaginations do the wandering.

 

Paul's biography

By Emma Windebank