Why I wrote The Cats Who Wanted More
I have worked in the public sector for 20 years, the latter decade within the field of public health. Inequalities across society are well documented and there is a wealth of evidence that shows people living in the poorest areas of the country have a lower life expectancy and worse outcomes than those living in wealthier areas. I regularly meet families who are trying their best, juggling low paid jobs with high-cost childcare. Add disability, mental health or caring responsibilities to that mix and it’s no wonder why so many people are struggling.
However, you don’t need to work in the area to know what is happening all around us. On a daily basis there is yet another story in the news about the astronomical pay packages of top CEOs, enormous profits being made by corporations contrasted with rising numbers of people entering poverty, relying on food banks and having to choose between heating, eating, and meeting bills. These stories are often juxtaposed with others on benefit claimants and immigration numbers, all contributing to underlying tension within a society already bubbling with frustration and looking for someone to blame.
Inequalities are avoidable and unfair differences.
This means we can do something about it.
Katie Sahota
The solution to the problem isn’t straightforward, but as with all good public health interventions, you need to start as early as possible. The Cats Who Wanted More is a satirical children’s picture book with the underlying message that excessive greed is bad. The cats figure out a way to take ALL the food, while setting the rats and mice against each other. But before long, the rodents figure out what has been going on and take their revenge.
Who knows… the future CEO of a FTSE 100 company might have The Cats Who Wanted More as their bedtime story tonight and it will plant the seed for a brighter, fairer future…
