An interview about Jack Jack the Cat Loose in London, presented by The Children’s Book Review in partnership with Wendi Schuller.
Today, we chat with Wendi Schuller, author of Jack Jack the Cat Loose in London. This globe-trotting adventure follows a mischievous ginger cat into royal parties, pirate ships, and hidden corners of London.
With a love for travel and a knack for finding hidden gems, Wendi Schuller brings London’s magic to life in Jack Jack the Cat Loose in London. In our chat, she reveals who inspired Jack Jack’s adventures, why both kids and adults connect with his escapades, and how her stories spark curiosity, courage, and a love of exploration.
Jack Jack just celebrated his first anniversary! What has surprised you most about readers’ reactions to this mischievous ginger cat over the past year?
Wendi Schuller (WS): What surprised me the most was what I didn’t expect – how much adults also enjoyed the book. The woman at the Puppet Theatre started crying when she saw it in the book. They liked it at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair. I’m friends with Carl, the doorman in the book. We meet up for lattes when I’m in London.
From kids, the feedback I get is that they have fun going on the cat’s adventures. The zoo and Tower of London are special hits. The setting (London) is not important as much as the cast of characters he meets. The children liked the animals.
You mention that real Londoners helped inspire Jack Jack’s sneaky adventures into exclusive places. Can you share a specific example of how a local’s suggestion made it into the story?
(WS): The couple in front of Buckingham Palace are my good friends. Diana and Barrie got invited because he oversaw voting in the different boroughs of London. Of course, a cat can’t sneak in with guards and the crowds. They didn’t go in that way. Barrie told me about a small door in the wall behind the palace. I found it, and a cat could sneak in. They told me the Queen greets guests on the grounds around Buckingham Palace. Then she goes into a private tent.
Having explored over 70 countries yourself, what made London the perfect setting for Jack Jack’s debut adventure? As both a world traveler and cat lover, how much of Jack Jack’s curious, daring personality reflects your own approach to exploring new places?
(WS): You got me! Yes, my sense of adventure and curiosity are represented in Jack Jack. Cats are curious, so I felt it was a good fit. I go off the beaten path – whether I’m in Sicily or in a maze in Marrakesh. Jack Jack manages to explore hidden parts of London and interact with the locals. Just my thing.
Jack Jack manages to slip into everything from royal parties to pirate ships. What research did you do to ensure these London locations were authentic yet accessible for young readers?
(WS): The places are fun and easily accessible for young readers. John, whom I’ve known for decades, is pictured in the book at his souvenir stall at Picadilly Circus. The pirate ship has a gate that is open during park hours. A Hyde Park ranger knelt down and measured between the bars to see if Jack Jack could squeeze in there after dark. Same at the London Zoo. The staff insisted he’d have to sneak in at the East Gate and measure the bars.
The book targets ages 5-8, a crucial time for developing curiosity about the world. How do you balance adventure and education without making the story feel like a geography lesson?
(WS): My motto is to have fun. Life is too short not to build fun into your education. That is how I wrote the book. Mrs. Bath’s enthusiasm and treats helped history be interesting instead of boring. History and geography come alive when experiencing it first-hand, whether at an exhibit in a museum or walking around The Tower of London.
You have such a diverse background—nursing, hypnotherapy, and working with children. How do these experiences influence the way you write for young audiences?
(WS): My experiences influence the way I write by encouraging parents and youngsters to set out and explore. It doesn’t matter if it’s in your city or across the ocean. If a culture interests a child, then get books or movies on it. This encourages children to experience other places. We watched the Alfred Hitchcock film The Man Who Knew Too Much. We used frequent flier miles and went to that setting, Marrakech.
Why did you choose a cat as your globe-trotting protagonist? What is it about cats that makes them perfect adventure companions for young readers?
(WS): A real cat named Jack inspired me to have a cat as the main character in a book. I wrote articles for adults, which were published globally, and the book, The Global Guide to Divorce. It was a new step to write for children.
I have taken photos of cats around the world. They are off on an adventure or have a smug look returning from one. Twice when I went to Ephesus, Turkey, the assistant guides were cats who stayed with each tour group. The second time, I took cat treats so I could tip the diligent assistant guide. It was a hit.
Jack Jack’s next adventure takes him to Marrakesh. What draws you to these international settings, and how do you decide which destinations will captivate young readers?
(WS): I like adventure, and adventures seem to follow me. I’ve had wanderlust since childhood, and my mother was the same way. I also like exploring on my own at famous destinations. I have to travel. I got antsy during COVID, and people asked me if I was alright. I dream about going to foreign sites. Places that captivated my young sons are a good indicator of what would be fun for others. They love London.
The illustrations play a huge role in picture books. How involved were you in bringing Jack Jack’s visual world to life, and what was that collaboration like?
(WS): My illustrator lives in Belarus. It’s too strange how we got together to be a coincidence. I take photos of people, places, animals, etc., that I want in a book. Sometimes I make a quick sketch and email it. Maryia nailed London’s places. She is amazing.
Is there anything about Jack Jack, his adventures, or your journey as a children’s author that we haven’t covered but you’d love to share with readers and parents?
(WS): Part of my writing of children’s books is to support saving wildlife and their habitat. The London Zoo is doing a great job. I want children to realize there is a lot of good in the world. Jack Jack made great connections and accepted help along the way. My real-life friend, Nick the DJ, was the hero. I’ve been a guest on his radio show.
Learning about different people, places, and cultures is fun and educational. I want to nurture children’s curiosity.
About the Book
Jack Jack the Cat Loose in London
Written by Wendi Schuller
Illustrated by Maryia Kapitsa
Ages: 5-8 | 58 Pages
Publisher: Austin Macauley (2024) | ISBN: 978-1035830855
Publisher’s Book Summary: Jack Jack isn’t your average ginger cat; he thrives on thrill and mischief. Dive into the heart of London with him as he leaps from the decks of pirate ships to the opulent halls of royal parties. Along the way, he encounters a cast of eccentric personalities and finds himself woven into their captivating tales. Explore London like never before, with Jack Jack – the city’s most adventurous feline – as your guide.
Buy the Book
About the Author
Wendi Schuller is a world traveler, author, and speaker who channels her global adventures into charming children’s stories. Her books include Jack Jack the Cat and The Adventures of Margo, Girl Detective, which inspire curiosity, courage, and creativity.
Wendi has explored over 70 countries and incorporates these experiences into her work as a writer and international motivational speaker. Her diverse background includes nursing, hypnotherapy, and working with children. She brings these unique perspectives into every story she tells.
Learn more at jackjackthecat.com.
This interview—Interview with Wendi Schuller, Author of ‘Jack Jack the Cat Loose in London’—was conducted between Wendi Schuller and Bianca Schulze.
