The Truck Cat

The Truck Cat is a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found. 

With illustrations by multi-award-winning artist Danny Snell and words by award-winning new voice Deborah Frenkel, The Truck Cat is the perfect book to inspire kindness and compassion in young children everywhere.

Some cats are house cats. Some are apartment cats.
But Tinka is a truck cat. Tinka lives everywhere.

Along with his human, Yacoub, Tinka travels roads wide and narrow, near and distant. But no matter how much they travel, home feels very far away – for both of them.

Yacoub drives his truck to make a living, learning the landscape of a new country along the way, and longing for connection. When Tinka and Yacoub are unexpectedly separated, they are determined to find their way back to each other – and, in doing so, might find more than they expected …


Awards & acclaim

• A #1 bestselling picture book
• Children's Book Council of Australia, Book of the Year Awards, Notable Book
• Australian Book Industry Awards, Winner of the Children's Picture Book of the Year
• NSW Literary Awards, Shortlisted for the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature

Praise for The Truck Cat

‘In The Truck Cat, Deborah Frenkel’s beautiful writing takes the reader on a gentle and often amusing ride. Yacoub’s story is one of resilience, yearning and sighs of sadness. Tinka the cat makes sure there is sunshine and smiles along the way. Danny Snell’s gorgeous colour palette splashes movement and life on every page. From vignettes to double page spreads, the combination of art and text presents a heartfelt, hopeful story of finding home … A must-read picture book’ Sandhya Parappukkaran, award-winning author of The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name
 
‘At a time when the world is in turmoil, much of it due to ignorance, intolerance and bigotry, there could not be a more timely choice for a book that will bring children right across the country together, in a glorious celebration and a move towards greater acceptance and empathy.’ Just So Stories
 
‘an excellent picture book. It combines great storytelling with poignant and heartwarming emotions of loss, companionship and love. It is pitched perfectly to entertain and move young readers, as well as to gently open their hearts and minds.’ Paperbark Words
 
‘Who knew so much love could be encapsulated in only 30 pages?! A picture book for all ages, and for everyone, human or feline’ Readings, Best Picture Books of 2024
 
‘This impactful story is shared through the blend of Danny Snell’s beautiful illustration and Deborah Frenkel’s heartfelt words and is a touching reminder that “home is everywhere.”’ Our Bookish Days
 
‘Themes of immigration, belonging, identity and home, run strong through this narrative. It tugs at the heartstrings and is so thought provoking … This is a book that adults and children will admire and want to read over and over.’ Get Kids Booked

‘The Truck Cat is everything a good picture book should be. It is understated yet unpredictable and delivers a story that grows in the reader’s mind over time, always inviting a revisit ... The story splits into two threads, then comes together at the end to meaningfully bind themes of home, belonging and the migrant experience.’ NSW Literary Awards

About National Simultaneous Storytime

Now in its 25th year, National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) has grown and grown, and in 2024 attracted over TWO MILLION registered participants!

NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) with the aims of encouraging young children to read and enjoy books as well as teach them the value of literacy.

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. ALIA and Hardie Grant Children's Publishing are thrilled to announce that The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell is the NSS title for 2025.

Get ready to join in on the fun when NSS sweeps the country yet again on Wednesday 21 May 2025.

Head to for more information.

'At a time when the world is in turmoil, much of it due to ignorance, intolerance and bigotry, there could not be a more timely choice for a book that will bring children right across the country together, in a glorious celebration and a move towards greater acceptance and empathy.

[Truck driver] Yacoub is, like many others, an immigrant and feels the distance between both his homeland and his adopted land heavily, given the barriers of distance and language and customs. Meeting Mari, who has rescued his precious [cat] friend Tinka, is like a renewal of spirit for Yacoub. It is not just a connection with his old life but an invitation to a new one, one that will embrace not only his adopted country but create an entire new identity for him, with a family and home.

My biggest commendation to ALIA for this choice and my total admiration to both creators, Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell, who have given us  this very special book.' – Sue Warren, Just So Stories

Deborah Frenkel is a Melbourne-based writer of everything from books to billboards and even the words on the back of cereal boxes. Her writing for children includes picture books about nature, imagination, and different kinds of belonging.

As a child Danny Snell was a reluctant reader, so it was pictures rather than words that drew him to the wonder of books. Danny went on to study graphic design and illustration at the University of South Australia and he now works as a picture book illustrator and author. His books have won a number of awards including the CBCA Eve Pownall Award, the Environment Award for Children's Literature, and the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award. Danny lives in Adelaide with his partner, his two daughters and a sleepy old cat. And yes, he loves to read.

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