Lena Fati

Lena Fati - Author of Precel & Malinka: Ham, a Wacky Trap, and Letting Go — A Cat's Tale

Hello! My name is Lena, and I’ve always loved cats—those at home, those in the backyard, and those in books. I used to simply take care of them, but now… I’ve written a story about Precel and Malinka - my favourite imaginary (though not entirely imaginary) cats.

Caring for a cat has taught me something profound—understanding and respecting individuality. Cats are who they are. You can’t force them to eat something they don’t like. They won’t come to cuddle on your lap just because you feel like it. And when you open the door for them to come inside, they suddenly decide they need to lick their paw twice.

When you’re irritated or anxious, they’ll run away because that state doesn’t suit their nature. In those very moments, a glance at a cat lying there, calm and blissful, not caring about a thing… and you start to wonder: is there really anything worth getting upset about? Maybe it’s better to just lie down beside them?

Is there anything more beautiful than waking up to the sound of rhythmic purring, when the first thing you see that day is a pair of contentedly half-closed eyes and a fluffy, smiling face?

Once cats experience human love and kindness, they'll always long for it. That's just how those tender feline hearts are!

Many beautiful moments with cats have become quiet life lessons for me. And perhaps that’s exactly why I wrote this book—to pay tribute to them and say, “Thank you.”

Precel and Malinka are more than just characters in a book—they’re a blend of traits, emotions, and adventures of many real cats I’ve met. Each one was unique, each brought something special—and it’s that very uniqueness I tried to capture in my story.

While writing this book, I wanted to create a story that feels close to both children and adults. One that brings a smile, touches the heart, and maybe even leaves behind a quiet “Yes, I know that feeling” or “My cat does that too.”

This isn’t a story written to please the masses or fit into trends. This children's tale came to life one evening when, while calling my cat for dinner, I stumbled upon a playful word game for the first chapter (Hamlin/ham, lean). I started writing, and immediately, I could see Precel in my mind—his dreams of ham, his irrepressible optimism, and his childlike naivety. A cat like that wouldn’t survive on his own in the world, so I gave him a sensible and understanding companion, Malinka, who balances his recklessness.

I hope that Precel and Malinka become more than just characters to you—that they become companions you like, understand, and truly care about.

If you have a cat—this book is for you. And if you don’t yet—maybe after reading it, you’ll feel the urge to welcome such a wonderful creature into your home… Or at least, you might find yourself loving cats just a little bit more?

Discover Precel & Malinka on Amazon! This illustrated tale of cat siblings is available in ebook, paperback, premium hardcover — and also in Polish, for bilingual families and curious little language explorers.