1. Ageing
2. Animals
3. Art techniques
4. Companionship
5. Death
6. Family
7. Friendship
8. Jealousy
9. Loneliness
10. Older people
11. Sadness

‘John Brown, Rose and Midnight Cat’ is about an elderly lady whose husband has died. She and her dog, John Brown, enjoy a close relationship. When a black cat appears outside, Rose wishes to let him in. John Brown refuses until Rose issues an ultimatum.

In his book, ‘Drawn from the Heart: a Memoir,’ Ron Brooks describes his inspiration for this book. An endpaper he created for ‘Aranea,’ his and Jenny Wagner’s earlier book together, featured an elderly lady in tears, cradling the head of a dog dressed in her husband’s vest. That illustration triggered thoughts of death for both creators.

The real interpreter of a book’s meaning is the reader. The text here is economical and matter-of-fact yet different interpretations are possible. The intricate cross hatching overlaying dusky rose, soft greens and cream surroundings invite close scrutiny and raise questions.

Initially, there is a sense of peace reflected by the daytime interior scenes with its cosy chairs, portraits on the wall and cherished items on shelves and in glass cupboards. Life looks comfortable. Outside at night- time the midnight cat visits. Rose pours milk for the cat. John Brown tips the milk out. Both text and illustrations reflect the emotional turmoil both John Brown and Rose experience. ‘We don’t need you, cat,’ John Brown warns while he tells Rose, ‘You don’t need a cat. You’ve got me’. When Rose tells John Brown she will stay in bed ‘All day and for ever,’ the subsequent double page spread reveals a thoughtful John Brown, snuggling up to one of Rose’s bedroom slippers.

John Brown asks Rose if the midnight cat will make her better. She replies, ‘Oh yes! That’s just what I want’, and so John Brown lets the midnight cat in. A next to final scenario shows Rose and the midnight cat facing each other while John Brown gazes intently at the reader. The final image shows the cat, on its own, staring intently at the reader.

First published in 1977, ‘John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat’, has achieved classic status appearing in various English editions and translations. ‘John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat’ won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year in 1978 and the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards — Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature in 1979.

1. CopyrightAgency Reading Australia teaching resources by Janet Fellowes for ‘John Brown Rose and the Midnight Cat’ https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/john-brown-rose-and-the-midnight-cat/
2. The Learning Profession 27 Apr 2017 ‘On John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat: An introduction to Narrative writing’ by Rebecca Lee https://thelearningprofession.com/2017/04/27/on-john-brown-rose-and-the-midnight-cat-an-introduction-to-narrative-writing/
3. SLAP HAPPY LARRY 27 May 2020 ‘John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat (1979) Picture Book Analysis’ offers a detailed analysis of words, illustrations, and story intent https://www.slaphappylarry.com/john-brown-rose-and-the-midnight-cat-1979/
4. NGV Melbourne ‘Bunyips and Dragons’ 4 Aug 2015 Ron Brooks in his studio talks about stories and art generally with specific reference to some of his books https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJycrXNsGjs
5. The Canberra Times 8 Jul 1978 review by Belle Alderman of ‘John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat’ by Jenny Wagner and Ron Brooks https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110895874?searchTerm=john%20brown%2C%20rose%20and%20the%20midnight%20cat