Local author's 'Super Cat' returns with sequel children's book

The adventures of Super Cat continue via Longboat Key author Wilma Davidson's pen.

She and illustrator Diana de Avila are celebrating the recent publication of "Super Cat Chit Chat," the follow-up to "Super Cat! Splat! Splat!" published in early 2024.

The original children's book follows caped crusader Max, a tabby cat who works to recover from a serious fall.

"It's an interactive story for children, where Super Cat — whose name is Max, short for Maxine — has an accident," said Davidson, who is the president of the local Pen Women chapter. "It shows how she approaches life after the accident."

Photo by Dana Kampa

Davidson explained the illustrated story is based on the true story the co-authors told in "Soldier, Sister, Savant," published in 2021 by the Pen Women Press. The memoir details how a traumatic brain injury started a journey of artistic savantism complicated by other health concerns.

De Avila, a fellow Pen Women member, wrote to the Observer about the "Super Cat" series that, "We work incredibly well together, so these books are a joy to create."

While Max's toughness is an admirable trait, the cat also shows incredible optimism.

"She has this incredible power of looking at life and finding the good things," Davidson said of the titular feline. "So, she of course needed a cape."

Davidson said seeing youngsters, prompted by "Super Cat," work to process and understand challenging moments in their own lives has been one of the most rewarding parts of publishing the original story.

Photo by Dana Kampa

When asked why they wanted to tell the story in a way that is accessible to readers of all ages, Davidson said her co-creator is a strong believer that God would not give her anything she couldn't handle. They both found it meaningful to share a message lauding bravery in the face of adversity in a whimsical yet nuanced art form.

"Trauma is not absent from kids' lives," Davidson said. "We felt that it would make a really good message to kids who have suffered whatever they are dealing with to have courage."

Now, Max is back in the second installment.

The follow-up story focuses on Super Cat's observations made while resting and recovering from surgery. Specifically, Max reflects on the changing ways in which people communicate amidst ever-evolving technological advancements.

"Humans would be wise to know — Talking helps everyone to grow," Max reflects in the book. "Go ahead — take time to jabber. Find the reward in your chatter!"

Davidson said she and de Avila were delighted to collaborate again on what they plan to be the second book in a trilogy.

One difference readers may notice is the first book was prose while the follow-up is in verse. It wasn't a planned decision, but Davidson said she believes, especially in this genre, authors need to play with form and have fun too.

Some of the most earnest initial feedback they've gotten on the book comes from families excited to see a cat that looks like their own in the illustrations.

Of course, some of the first and most important reviewers were her now 7- and 10-year-old grandchildren, Emily and Ben.

"They were my test group, and the rhyme really seemed to work because the kids could expect how the line might end," she said. "They really engaged with the book when they knew what the last word could be. They gave it two thumbs up."

Davidson said the gears are already turning for the third installment in the series. Without giving too much away, she anticipates it will center on the value of listening.

"Maybe it's the teacher in me that says there needs to be a moral in every story," Davidson laughed.

One thing that has surprised her with both books is how deeply adults also connected with the themes even in children's book form.

Upcoming Pen Women projects

The Super Cat series isn't the only creative endeavor Davidson has underway.

She and fellow creatives from the National League of American Pen Women Sarasota Branch are hoping to put the final touches on a collaborative project by this fall.

The collection focuses on the concept of death, interpreted through visual art and short stories. Some sections sit with heavier emotions while others incorporate humor and other intertwining emotions that may seem conflicting on the surface.

Davidson said the branch does plan to publish the book publicly.

The project isn't the only news coming from the local branch. The group is also slated to host the next national biennial gathering in 2028. She said that, even though it will be a significant undertaking, members are eager to showcase the phenomenal talent of the area's artists.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Even residents who are not currently members of the Pen Women should start sharpening their pencils, Davidson said. The national organization is preparing to host a public poetry competition.

Local branches will run their own contests and select winners to go to the national stage.

She said the contest intends to celebrate the artist in everyone, and the public outreach coincides perfectly with the local club's broader outreach efforts in recent years through projects like the local art scavenger hunt.

Anyone interested in potentially applying to be a member is invited to reach out. Visit SarasotaPenWomen.org.