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The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint
In a forest where old magic still pads softly between the trees, a kind-hearted girl stumbles into a tangle of secrets—and cats who may be more than they seem. Whimsy, folklore, and quiet courage intertwine as she learns what kindness can awaken. The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is a gentle, enchanting journey for readers who love their fairy tales with paws and wonder.
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In The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, did you enjoy ...
... folklore-laced woodland magic, shapeshifting kindness, and a child protected by ancient beings?
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
If you loved how Lillian is rescued by the cats and Old Mother Possum’s old magic—how the forest itself feels storied and benevolent—then you’ll be swept up by The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Xan the witch, a bog monster named Glerk, and a tiny dragon rally around Luna much like the Tanglewood creatures circle Lillian after the snakebite. It has that same myth-touched warmth where enchantment isn’t about rules so much as love, promises, and the living memory of the woods.
... a brave child journeying with a constant animal companion who mirrors her soul?
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
In The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, Lillian’s bond with the forest creatures—especially when she’s turned into a kitten—makes the animal world feel like family. In The Golden Compass, Lyra travels with her daemon, Pantalaimon, an ever-present animal companion who changes shape as nimbly as Lillian moves between girl and cat. If those intimate, voice-at-your-shoulder animal ties made your heart lift, Lyra and Pan will feel like coming home.
... a wonderstruck quest where a young girl’s courage and kindness reshape her destiny?
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Lillian’s journey—seeking to set things right after her snakebite and transformation—echoes in September’s daring trip through Fairyland. Like Lillian meeting Old Mother Possum and the forest folk, September’s choices carry real weight, and each magical encounter nudges her toward who she’s meant to be. If you loved watching Lillian grow through trials into a wiser, gentler version of herself, September’s tale will charm you.
... a deep-forest adventure where the wild is sacred, speaking through animal guides and ancient powers?
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
If Lillian’s fierce love for the Tanglewood and the way the land answers—cats gathering, old magic stirring—stayed with you, Wolf Brother will resonate. Torak navigates a living wilderness with a wolf as his closest ally, much as Lillian moves through a forest that listens and responds. The story treats the natural world with the same reverence you felt when Old Mother Possum’s aid was as much the forest’s will as her own.
... gentle, small-town magic rooted in place and brimming with hope?
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
Beyond Lillian’s dangers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest glows with kindness—cats risking themselves, a possum-witch mending fate, a forest that ultimately wants you well. A Snicker of Magic carries that same tender spirit: Felicity uncovers quiet enchantments in Midnight Gulch, where magic flickers in everyday life and healing comes through community. If the hopeful warmth of Lillian’s story soothed you, this will, too.
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