The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint

However, she is a determined, hardworking girl who learns in her own way. In one part of the book, she runs away from her caretakers when faced with the prospect of school. Growing up and school are seen in a negative light, viewed as constricting and contrary to Lillian's wandering and carefree lifestyle. In Lillian's world, spirits, both good and bad are very real, and potions, magic, and witches-both human and animal- are a key part of Lillian's journey. The Cats of Tanglewood Forest celebrates nature in its beauty and freedom, perhaps a little too much. Lillian is a spirited, bright, brave young heroine with a refreshing sense of innocence about her. There are strong themes and valuable lessons of family loyalty, friendship, and selflessness throughout, as well as many examples of characters helping one another. Charles Vess' colorful, detailed illustrations only add to this book's charm. the fox, Joen the bear man, and Aunt Nancy Creek, this story excites and captures the reader. De Lint writes with a lyrical bounce and a beautiful blend of detail and rapid plot development. The Cats of Tanglewood Forest reads like a fairy tale, full of marvelous characters and plot twists and turns. She must once again find a way to undo her actions and bring her forest world back into balance. The animals no longer remember her, and tragedy worms its way into her happy life. However, the consequences of Old Mother Possum's solution are not what Lillian expects. Desperate to return to her aunt and to her life as a girl, she must journey to the home of Old Mother Possum in an attempt to reverse the effects of the magic. As she lays dying, the wild cats gather about her, forced to invoke deep magic to save Lillian's life. It is on one of these escapades that the girl falls asleep under a huge beech- and is bitten by a deadly snake. Her mornings are spent tending to her chores, and leaving out milk for the wild cats her afternoons find her running about in the woods, as wild as the creatures she so loves. Lillian Kindred lives a peaceful, magical life in the country with her aunt.

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles de Lint