Babette

by Clare Turlay Newberry

Eight-year-old Chatty discovers a Siamese kitten, whom she names Babette, outside her apartment door, but when her upstairs neighbor reclaims the little cat, it does not mark the end of their relationship

Genres: Cats, Picture Books, Childrens, Christmas, Animals

29 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1937

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this story of a lonely little girl who meets a neighbor's kitten as much as I did the author's Marshmallow, although it was still very cute. Baby bunnies>kids, I guess.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who can resist Clare T. Newberry's illustrations? She must have studied Chinese or Japanese painters, because, like them, she's able to create the essence of cat in a few strokes and with only one or two soft colors. This story, written in 1937, is about an 8-year-old girl, Chatty, and her mother, who live, apparently, in a one-room apartment. I was surprised to find, in the beginning of the story, that on Saturdays, when there is no school, Chatty is left alone while her mother goes to work. Nowadays that's considered neglect, but times were different then, and they seem to be too poor to afford much, including a babysitter. On this particular Saturday Chatty finds a Siamese kitten at her doorstep, and takes it in and feeds and plays with it all day long until her mother gets home and reminds her that the kitten must belong to someone. It does, and Chatty then becomes friends with Mr. Todd, the man who owns the kitten and the mama cat. But when Chatty learns that Mr. Todd will be moving to California right after Christmas, her world crumbles. What will she do without her furry playmate? Read and find out, and enjoy those captivating illustrations. Recommended!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently came across Newberry’s book Marshmallow and liked the illustrations so much, I borrowed all her other books our local library had. This book came closest to the style of illustration in Marshmallow. I think it’s due to featuring a mostly white Siamese kitten, so you can see the lines better. It’s a relatively simple style, I think done in charcoal, in black and white with touches of a single color. I tried copying a few with a brush pen, but I can never get the weight or the proportions quite right. I’m trying to learn to draw. I haven’t taken an art class since grade school, but find copying illustrations from children’s books a good way to experiment with different styles.

I also enjoyed the story for being so different from how we live now. Published in 1937, it centers on an 8-year-old girl who is the daughter of a single mother. They live in an apartment, and because her mother works Saturdays, Chatty stays home alone, with no adult supervision. Not even a friendly neighbor to check in on her. When a kitten comes to the door one day, she is delighted. But she soon learns it is an expensive Siamese belonging to a neighbor, and must be returned.

I won’t say more to avoid spoilers, but I enjoyed the various references to technology of the time. The wireless (radio), an electric plate kept in the cupboard her mother uses to cook on, and the radiator—which you still find in older houses (including the one I grew up in).

[Sarah Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story about one little girl who is lonely and wants a playmate. One day a kitty comes scratching at the door and she wants to keep her and names her Babette. She quickly finds out that she belongs to the man upstairs, and he has the mama cat too. When the man sees she loves the kitty, he lets her come and take care of the mama cat and kitten while he’s at work on Saturday. Right before Christmas she finds out the man is moving away, thinking she will never see Babette again and is sad. When Christmas eve comes, she goes to sleep and wakes up to presents under the tree. She’s excited, but her mom quickly tells her that her real gift is over here and points her to the neighbor who is holding a meowing package, which is Babette. It becomes the best Christmas ever, as he gives her Babette to keep. A great story of Siamese cats and one little girl love of a cat, and what can happen if you show just how much you love a cat. My favorite part of the book was when the young girl explains all that she got for Christmas including Babette. Such soft and real illustrations that make the mom and kitten come to life. This is a great read for cat lovers, as you may find yourself petting the pages because of how cute the cats are.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book about an adorable Siamese kitten.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about one of my favorite breeds...the cat in the box as present was not very humane in my eyes....that's why it only got three stars. Her drawinsg are WONDERFUL.

[Jacqueline115 · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a cute story and beautiful illustration