A SCOTS library cat will soon be rubbing shoulders with The Gruffalo – after landing his own publishing deal.
Jordan, a black and white tabby, has amassed a following of thousands on social media after ditching his Catholic friar owners to spend most of his time at Edinburgh University library.
He is so popular with students that he even has his own library card, complete with photograph and expiry date.
Now he will reach new heights of fame after the Scottish publishers of children’s classic The Gruffalo and David Walliams’ children’s novel have announced a book dedicated to the feline.
The book, due to grace the shelves of book stores by Spring 2016, is a first-person account of the famous feline’s day-to-day life.
It includes reference to his favourite places to visit, as well as his preferred lunchtime treats.
Edinburgh-based Black & White Publishing took to Facebook to make the announcement, much to the joy of students.
They wrote: “We’re delighted to tell you that in Spring 2016 we will be publishing ‘Library Cat: The Observations of a Thinking Cat.’
“It’s a story about Library Cat, about his favourite turquoise chair in the library and his favourite food (bacon rind).
“But, more importantly, this is a story about Library Cat’s thoughts and his own search for completeness in this fractured world.
“We’re delighted – and frankly a little star-struck – to be working with such a witty and iconic feline.”
The publishing group has produced more than 30 titles from award-winning children’s imprint Itchy Coo, whose portfolio includes the Scottish version of Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo.
Other well-known titles include Roald Dahl’s The Eejits and they are also set to publish David Walliams’ book Billionaire Bairn – the Scottish version of Billionaire Boy which received widespread praise.
The nine-year-old cat first arrived at the Catholic Dominican Chaplaincy as a kitten, but never took to life as a mouse catcher with men of the cloth.
Despite being named after a 12th Century saint, Jordan preferred the company of trendy young students, and an easy life in the well-heated library.
Every day, Jordan leaves the friary and crosses Edinburgh’s leafy George Square in the old town, to the university’s main library.
There, he enjoys being petted by students from across the globe, and even has a favourite turquoise chair near the door.
Students say he helps them to relax before exams, and the Facebook page set up in his honour has more than 6,000 “likes”.
