The nine lives of Aristotle

The Nine Lives of Aristotle by Dick King-Smith, illustrated by Bob Graham, tells the story of a small, fearless kitten living with a kind witch named Bella Donna. Aristotle rushes headfirst into every possible danger — tumbling down chimneys, spilling milk jugs, falling into rivers, and escaping dogs and trains. Each time, Bella Donna rescues him, patient and calm, as if she knows that cats really do have nine lives to spare.

Bob Graham’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations balance King-Smith’s wry humor with warmth and quiet detail. The witch’s cottage feels lived-in — part magic, part mess — full of herbs, bats, and the ordinary clutter of care. Even in Aristotle’s wildest moments, the drawings keep the tone light, showing affection rather than fear.

What makes the book memorable isn’t the chaos but the tenderness beneath it. The story begins as a comic sequence of near-misses and ends with a quiet acceptance — Aristotle finally grows up, deciding that one life, lived fully and safely, might be enough.