Book 2 in the Kitty in the City Series
Children's Book
A chapter book for ages 5–7
Date Published:
06-18-2025
Publisher: Crimson Dragon Publishing
Broadway’s favorite singing cat is back on the scene—and this
time, she’s headed to Central Park! In Katy in Central Park, Katy is
ready for a quiet day with her owner Lilian… until their picnic basket
is suddenly snatched.
With her best cat buddy Weasel at her side, Katy
dashes through the park’s winding paths, determined to solve the
mystery. But is everything really what it seems?
This charming chapter
book, written and illustrated by Ella English, is full of fun, friendship, and
feline flair—plus an important lesson about thinking twice before making
snap decisions.
🎉 Bonus alert!
At the end of the book, young readers can dive into a
bundle of Did You Know? facts about Central Park.
Did you know Belvedere
Castle is perched high above Turtle Pond and used to house a weather station? Or that Central Park Zoo is home to snow leopards, sea lions, and red pandas?
There are over 280 species of birds in the park, and the entire park is 843
acres—that's about 640 football fields!
✨ Book
launches June 18—International Picnic Day!
Celebrate by grabbing a
blanket, heading to Central Park, and sharing a storytime picnic with Katy the
singing cat!
Interview
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Definitely. In Katy in Central Park, the big message is: don’t jump to conclusions. Katy makes some fast assumptions that spiral into full-on zoo-flavored chaos. It’s about learning to pause, assess, and really listen. In Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby, the heart of the story is about courage and identity—what it means to belong, especially when your past is full of secrets.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Keeping my ideas in check! I’ll sit down to write one simple scene, and next thing I know there are snow monkeys throwing pizza or zombie mermaids plotting something sinister underwater. My brain doesn’t really do “quiet.” The trick is shaping all that chaos into an actual story.
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve written four published books so far:
1. Katy on Broadway
2. Katy in Central Park
3. Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby
4. Selena Flowers and the Phantom Tides
The Selena Flowers books are part of my middle grade fantasy series, The Merblood Saga—a magical, mysterious adventure filled with mermaids, curses, ancient secrets, and one unforgettable zombie aunt.
My favorite? Tough call—but Selena Flowers and the Phantom Tides might win for its darker twists, deeper magic, and more time with Aunt Ada, who knits sweaters for her squid and delivers sea puns like a champ.
If you had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
For Katy, the singing kitty with Broadway dreams? I’d go with someone like Ariana DeBose—she’s got charisma, killer vocals, and can handle high drama and high comedy. For Selena from The Merblood Saga, maybe Lana Condor—she brings warmth, quiet strength, and that spark of mischief.
When did you begin writing?
I’ve been writing stories since I was old enough to hold a pencil (and draw cats in the margins). But I started writing professionally when my own kids—and my cat, Mouse—inspired me to turn their favorite bedtime stories into real books.
How long did it take to complete your first book?
Katy on Broadway took a few months from idea to polished draft. I already had the characters in my head (thanks, Mouse), so once I sat down, it poured out. The illustrations took longer—but totally worth it!
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
So many! I grew up loving Roald Dahl for his wild imagination and Beverly Cleary for how real her characters felt. More recently, authors like Jessica Townsend (Nevermoor) and Lisa Thompson (The Goldfish Boy) really remind me how powerful middle grade can be.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Dialogue! I love when my characters start talking and I feel like I’m just eavesdropping. Katy’s dramatic monologues crack me up. And Aunt Ada’s sea puns? Pure joy.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Penguins. Pizza. Music. Mayhem.
(That’s Katy in Central Park, if you couldn’t tell.)
Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?
Right now, I’m working on Book 3 in the Kitty in the City series. Let’s just say Katy might end up in Times Square with a stolen trumpet, a marching band, and one very suspicious raccoon. After that, I’ll be diving back into The Merblood Saga for Book 3, where Selena will uncover even more secrets beneath the waves—and face a chilling new enemy.
Ella English is a British author and illustrator known for her children's books, particularly her Kitty in the City series and the Merblood Saga. She writes and illustrates imaginative stories, often with themes of dreams, adventure, and friendship. After moving from London, Ella English now lives in Baltimore, USA, with her two daughters.
Contact Links
Twitter:
@authorella1
Author Instagram:
@ellaenglishauthor
Publisher Instagram: Instagram
@Crimsondragonbooks
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ellaenglish
Purchase Links
Posts
0 Comments