John Brown, Rose, and the Midnight Cat. Jenny Wagner.

A meticulously ordered life is disrupted when a black cat refuses to follow the rules of its new home. Told with restraint and quiet tension, this picture book explores resistance, patience, and the slow work of understanding across species. The cat is neither cute nor compliant, but observant, deliberate, and entirely itself. Through spare text and expressive illustration, the story captures how real change often begins with discomfort — and how coexistence is learned, not granted. A classic of Australian children’s literature that rewards both first readings and thoughtful revisits.