(Found) Can't remember the name! Book with people changing into animals??

[HelloHurricane]

So, I've been googling like mad trying to find this book. I already posted in another website hoping someone would know the name of this book. No dice. Hoping someone here could help me... I read this book like five years ago and I was in about the beginning of middle school. Unfortunately I have no clue what the name/author is, and I really can't remember much of the plot!

So here's what I remember:I have a slight memory that this boy moves into a new place for some reason? And then he find his Uncle (I think its his uncle?) who was like a magician or something. Basically the man turned himself into a cat, but once he was a cat he started thinking like a cat, so he never turned himself back into a man. I believe everyone thought he was dead or something, when really he was just living as a cat!
There are many other instances in the book where other people are turned into animals, and then take on that animal's thought process while they are that animal. i.e. Once the man was a cat all he thought about was sleeping and crap, thus he never thought to change back into a man

So yeah, I know that's pretty vague. I feel like there was some sort of rescue mission going on the the book, like maybe the boy's friend went missing? Maybe? I remember one point where someone had changed into a bird, and they had to fly somewhere very quickly, as something important was happening, and they struggled to keep their mind from thinking like a bird...

I know I got it from the juvenile section of the library if that helps even a bit. It's not aimed at YA readers, but younger than that.

Hopefully one of you can help me? Maybe? Yes? Please? Anyways thanks!

 

[HoopyFrood]

There are a few aspects of this that really sound like the Animorph books -- the uncle, not so much, but someone does turn into a cat, and a bird (gets stuck as a bird, in fact), and they often do have to fight with the animal's instincts when they first take on the form. There's a rescue mission to save a guy's brother...This was all in the first book.

But this was ultimately a long running series, not just one book, and things like the ruddy great alien that gives them the power to morph, stuff like that, you probably would've remembered...

 

[HelloHurricane]

No, I know it's not the Animorphs series.... Thank you for reading and suggesting though!
On another note, I know it's not The Magician's Nephew either. People seem to mention that to me the moment I say "Uncle". Haha

 

[Somni]

Perhaps these, the Magician's House series by William Corlett. Starts with The steps up the chimney. The children change into a bird, otter and a fox as best I remember.

 

[HelloHurricane]

Thank you - but someone has just found the right book for me!
It's The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristen Kladstrup, in case anyone was wondering.
Thank you all for your help!