Bella Arabella

by Liza Fosburgh, Catherine Stock (Illustrator)

After spoiled, rich Arabella Fitzgerald becomes a cat she learns about the unfairness of the world and about the need to grow up and face reality

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

1930 - 2016 CHERRY PLAIN, NY Elizabeth (Liza) Fosburgh passed peacefully on January 6 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA. Born in Moultrie, GA in 1930, Liza had been a resident of Cherry Plain, NY, for more than 50 years, though she never lost her charming southern accent. The daughter of Dr. Henry Turner Edmondson and Elizabeth Forman Camp, Liza graduated from Stuart Hall School (Staunton, VA) and Mt. Holyoke College. She then served as an editor at Town and Country magazine in New York City before marrying Pieter Fosburgh in 1957 and moving to upstate NY. Here she edited the women's page of the Albany Times Union and was a freelance writer as well. At the Times Union, she also wrote the Prudence Penny, celebrity chef column for the newspaper. Pieter, who was a well-known conservationist and editor of the NY State Conservationist magazine, died in 1977, after which Liza dedicated herself to raising her children and to a career as an author and editor. Liza was the author of nine books, including children's, young adult and adult novels, as well as three cookbooks. Her children's book, Bella Arabella (1985), became nationally known through adoption by school systems and remains popular today, its success stemming from the artful blending of her love for children and for animals, for which she was well known. She also edited the Country Roads Press series of travel guide books. Liza raised two sons, Pieter (Whit) and James (Jamie), now of Washington, DC and Winchester, MA respectively, and remained devoted to them and her five grandchildren throughout her life. Almost as important to her, though, were her dogs, and there were always two or three or four lounging on sofas in her home or hanging off the side of the boat as she rowed across an Adirondack pond. Liza's publishing of cook books was a natural outgrowth of her penchant for entertaining and her writing and editing skills. She loved nothing more than to gather friends and family around a dinner table for good conversation and good food. With a wide circle of friends throughout Rensselaer (NY) and Berkshire (MA) counties, there was never a shortage of opportunities. Liza was active for many years in the Lenox Garden Club, and was a past president; her interest in gardening was evident from the expanses of flowers surrounding her Cherry Plain home. In recent years, she also greatly enjoyed participation in the T-Club which provided intellectual and social stimulation. Those wishing to can make a donation to the Sonsini Animal Shelter in Pittsfield, MA as a fitting memory to Liza who was a long-time supporter and patron of the organization.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Arabella Fitzgerald, a pampered young girl who lives with her mother in a mansion on the Hudson River, is dismayed to learn that her new stepfather intends to send her to boarding school. While pouring out her troubles to her beloved cat Miranda, Arabella is amazed to discover that Miranda can speak to her, and that she can escape her troubles by becoming a cat. But Arabella, now Bella the cat, soon discovers that life as a feline is not entirely problem-free...

While some of the scenes in Bella Arabella have a charm that will appeal to the cat-lover (the book comes recommended by Cleveland Amory), I found the resolution a little pat, and the tone almost preachy. This tale has also been told in Eric Christian Haugaard’s picture-book fairytale, Princess Horrid , which I prefer.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I remember correctly, a girl becomes a cat in order to avoid going to boarding school...? I read a lot of books about girls turning into cats to escape their troubled lives. (Make of that what you will.)

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorites as a kid. It's about a girl who turns into a cat. That's pretty much all you need to know.

I wrote her a letter when I was eight, and this is the one I got back:

March 6, 1992

Dear Kathy,

Thank you so much for your very nice letter. I am so glad you like Bella Arabella so much, rating it number 2 on your top list. You are indeed a very big reader, and I am flattered you think so highly of my book.

I liked your poem about the New Year a lot. You have real talent.

I also love cats. I have had them for many years (at present, four), and I continue to be fascinated by them. They have such distinct personalities.

Keep up your good reading habits. I hope the remainder of your school year will be very happy.

Sincerely,
Lisa Fosburgh

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite lovely and charming

[ИN · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book! who doesn’t want to turn into a cat! pure nostalgia

[Katelyn Brinkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember this book that much, I read it a long time ago. I think it was good. Arabella turned into a cat and she liked it at first, but she soon found out she didn't like the food and she couldn't sleep in her room, she was miserable. Then in the end... You'll have to read it to find out. ;)

[Valancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have very vivid memories of this book that I read as I child, but couldn’t remember the title forever! It was also conflated in my memory with the Abandoned by Paul Gallico. After rereading the Abandoned I realized that it was two different books I was recalling. Must track down a copy of this now...

[Ariell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a young girl and remember enjoying it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a present from my mother on my 10th birthday. :)

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the way the author takes you on a journey with this little girl and her very special cat.