Our Story
From a maternity leave daydream to a growing independent brand. This is the story of Black Cat Publications.
Meet the Maker
Hi, I'm Emily
I'm a mum of three from Hertfordshire with a lifelong love (and slight obsession) of cats, a head full of rhymes, and a desk permanently covered in coloured pencils.
The idea for Black Cat Publications started back in 2011, during maternity leave with my first child. I wanted to create the kind of book I wished I could find for my own little ones. Rhymes that were genuinely fun. Illustrations that were bold and colourful. Stories that both kids and parents would actually enjoy reading together.
For over a decade, that idea lived in notebooks and sketchpads while I balanced family life and a full-time office job. But the dream never went away. After years of writing, drafting, illustrating and determination, I finally self-published my first book in 2024.
Today, Black Cat Publications is home to the Guess, Boo! rhyming series, Ruggi the Monster, colouring books, a growing range of poster prints, greetings cards, coasters and more. Everything is written and illustrated by me, with heart, humour and a dash of mischief.
The name? Dedicated to my own fur babies, of course. They supervise every creative session from the comfort of my desk chair.
The Journey
How We Got Here
The Spark
During maternity leave, Emily first dreamed up the idea for a rhyming children's book. Between nappies and night feeds, the concept for Guess, Boo! was born.
Dreaming & Drafting
Years of writing, illustrating, rewriting and refining. Balancing a full-time office job, three children and a creative dream that wouldn't go away.
The Launch
Emily self-published her first works and Black Cat Publications was officially born. The Guess, Boo! series, Ruggi the Monster and a growing range of prints hit the shelves.
Growing Every Day
With 10+ original titles, 170+ poster designs, greetings cards, coasters and more, Black Cat Publications continues to grow. New books and products are in the works.
What We Stand For
Our Values
These are the principles behind everything we create at Black Cat Rhymes.
Heart First
Everything starts with genuine passion. No mass production, no shortcuts. Each piece is created with real love and care for the families who will enjoy it.
Original Artwork
Every illustration is hand-drawn and original. Bold colours, curious creatures and playful details that make each product truly one-of-a-kind.
Sparking Imagination
Our books are designed to light up little minds. Rhymes that stick, characters that feel like friends, and stories that inspire a love of reading.
A Dash of Mischief
Named after Emily's beloved cats, the brand carries their playful spirit in everything. Expect puns, wit and the occasional cheeky surprise.
For the Whole Family
From bedtime reads for toddlers to kitchen prints that make grown-ups smile, there's something for every member of the family (and the pets).
Quality Matters
We take pride in the quality of every product. From the paper our books are printed on to the colours in our poster prints, every detail counts.
Come and Say Hello
Whether you have a question, want to chat about a custom order, or just fancy saying hi, we'd love to hear from you.