Five animals, four cats and a dog, are all black and white and are females, but they have two more things in common not apparent at first – they have all been treated badly in different ways by a number of humans and they all have a superpower which helps them to get away from the baddies. Two kind brothers, nine-year-old Diarmuid and seven-year-old Eoghan, rescue the cats Smig, Ebi, Trig and Róisín and the dog, Mags, and persuade their parents to take them all into their home.The animals do not like each other at first, but eventually Mags persuades the cats to abandon their differences and unite together to form The She Team. Her encouraging words, “Don’t get mad, get even!” convince them that they will work together to stop their tormentors from hurting other animals. They are confident that their superpowers will help them achieve their goal.

Susan McGovern lives in Dundalk, Ireland with her husband, Padraig, and their current pets – Mags the dog and two cats, Trig and Smokie. Ebi and Smig are two former members of the household who were much cherished but have sadly gone to Cat Heaven. Roisín lives in Dublin with Susan and Padraig’s grandchildren Diarmuid, Eoghan, and Éanna. And so, you have met most of the cast of The She Team Does Lockdown. The cast does not include Susan and Padraig, who, although slightly mad, are not mad enough to be in The She Team Does Lockdown.

Customer Reviews

5.0

12 reviews

Mary Cotter

My interest in children's books is based on the enjoyment I get from reading aloud to children.
During my career in teaching and working in Barnardos I have had a lot of very enjoyable experience reading to children
I have found if animals are involved in the story it appeals very much to most children
The characters in this book are very strong appealing characters
I discussed it with my neighbours three children aged 8,10 and 12.
This book appealed o all three children. The 12 year old commented that he liked the same characters going right through the book while still telling different stories. The 10 year old who is slightly on the autism spectrum didn't like the image of a cat on each page!
All three had difficulty with the way title as it is displayed. They are very bright children and not slow in giving their opinions They want the book back to read again

Personally I loved the animal characters and it is a book I am looking forward to reading with Penny, my 16 month old G. Granddaughter,
I can see myself giving each animal a different voice in keeping with their character.

I believe these animals might create some further adventures

Congratulations Susan

Mary Cotter
Bébhinn Harris

I really enjoyed this book so I gave it five stars. I read it all in one go because I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I think the way that the animals all worked together against animal cruelty made it a great story. My favourite characters were Mags the dog and Ebi the cat.
Anne Crowley

The concept of three rescue cats and a dog pooling their superpowers to improve the welfare of other animals is very appealing. Add in the human element of two brave, young, caring boy characters and their sympathetic parents and you have a recipe for a successful story. This book touches on thought provoking themes in a child friendly way, in particular cruelty to animals. My daughter read it to her primary school third class and it certainly kept them engaged. They loved the happy ending.
Kate O’Hanlon

“The She Team,” by Susan McGovern.
This is a delightful and thought-provoking book, suitable for children aged 5 to12. It will appeal especially to those many young people who love and respect animals and feel strongly about the need to protect them from cruelty and ill-treatment.
The story is told by cats who have been abused cruelly. They form the She Team to help them stand up for themselves and to act together to fend off the challenges of life.

The writing is easily accessible by this age group and the illustrations are totally charming.
It will provoke debate and discussion by young people who sympathise with the plight of animals who have no-one to look after them but ti also makes the point that the best person to help you is usually yourself.

Strongly recommended.

Kate O’Hanlon.

Educational Consultant and Psychologist.
May 2023.