"Every day, rain or shine, Mrs Cockle sells balloons on a London street corner. She makes just enough money to keep herself and her beloved cat Peter. Of course Peter loves Mrs Cockle too, but he loves fresh fish for his dinner even more. When he disappears in search of his favourite food poor Mrs Cockle pines for his company and grows thin - so thin that a puff of wind blows her - and her balloons - away ..."--Back cover.