Catwitch

by Lisa Tuttle

Having been taught reading, writing, and a little magic by his owner, Jules the kitten is persuaded by fairies that appear through the television set to return with them to fairyland and help save their captive prince.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Cats, Magic, Animals

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1983

About the author

(Wife of Colin Murray) aka Maria Palmer (house pseudonym).

Lisa Tuttle taught a science fiction course at the City Lit College, part of London University, and has tutored on the Arvon courses. She was residential tutor at the Clarion West SF writing workshop in Seattle, USA. She has published six novels and two short story collections. Many of her books have been translated into French and German editions.

Reviews

[Lara Messersmith-Glavin]

This book was another childhood favorite for a variety of reasons: one, it was under "restricted circulation" in my grade school library, as a number of incredibly fearful and pathologically ridiculous Christian parents criticized its magical message and deemed a "Satanic influence" on the minds of young readers; two, it is beautiful both in image and text. It was eventually banned by the school, and mother, in her infinite good wisdom and uniquely well-situated position as a library volunteer, rescued the infamous volume from its fate in the burnpile and (after secretly recommending it to a number of curious and brave children) took it home for us to enjoy on our own.

It is a gorgeous children's classic about an orphaned kitten that is taken in during a thunderstorm by an amazing witch, and who becomes a familiar with particularly strong magical gifts. The illustrations are lush and psychedelic, some of which have been burned permanently into my mind's eye. It's unfortunate that Goodreads doesn't have an image available - I recommend tracking this one down.

Hooray for reading banned books!

[Amber]

Witches! Fairies! Cats who can speak and wear hats! and best of all....UNICORNS?!

I found this book in one of my childhood haunts - the public library. Every summer my grandmother would drive me there so that I could rack up "points" that would earn me entrance into pizza parties during the next school year! What a deal, considering my nose was stuck in a book regardless of potential pizza rewards...

I was right at the reading level where I found myself grabbing thicker, chapter books and toying with the idea of venturing into the "grown up books" when I came across "Catwitch" for the first time. Plucking it from the shelf because of the title, I found myself quickly drawn in by the cover and the illustrations as I flipped through the pages. The illustrations in this book are lovely, pastel, detailed...you can identify the bundles of herbs hanging from the rafters, you can read the spines of the books on the shelves.

I hope to purchase this book before I have kids...aw, hell. I just want to purchase this book NOW!

Update: Dec 9 2022 - I have a four year old AND a copy of Catwitch. Life is pretty sweet!

[Leigh Bardugo]

A childhood favorite that I still have on my shelf. A haunting, humorous story, beautifully illustrated— I'd love to see this back in print. But why isn't the amazing Lisa Tuttle credited as well?

[Abigail]

When an adventure-seeking kitten named Jules is taken in by a witch, he soon discovers that his new companion has some troubles of her own. As Eva Eden struggles to remember the Great Spell needed to make her a famous actress once again, both she and Jules are threatened with eviction by their evil wizard-landlord, Alexander Wylie. A trip to Faery, the search for a missing faery prince, the discovery of the Alicorn, and a final confrontation Wylie, round out the adventures in this profusely illustrated "picture-book-novel."

It is possible, that had I read Catwitch as a child, I might have found myself more involved in the story-line. But despite its promising packaging, the writing felt a little flat to me, and the plot itself seemed ridiculous. The real charm of this novella is the many illustrations by Una Woodruff, for which the "story" seems to be a mere vehicle. In this sense, Catwitch feels like a precursor of works such as Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time and Voyage of the Basset . Recommended to young readers who enjoy copiously illustrated works of fantasy.

[Farhan Rahman]

As you may have guessed, this book is about a cat. Who is also a witch. Jules is a kitten who longs for adventure, so he leaves his brethren behind and ends up familiar to a witch (a fading starlet looking to regain her glamor). There's a nefarious real estate developer, a fairy court, and yes, even a unicorn brought to life in absurdly lush illustrations.

I adored this book and must have reread it hundreds of times as a kid. It's one of those books where the illustrations reveal something new with every close perusal. Plus the story has a real sense of darkness and magic, and a plot twist that left my impressionable mind reeling

This is certainly a book which will attract key stage two readers and early key stage three children.

[Willa Guadalupe Grant]

Great magic story from the UK- the best part is that the evil sorcerer looks like Raymond Buckland! LOL

[Nicole]

Just found this used on Amazon for a reasonable price--looking forward to sharing it with my daughter when she gets to an age where she can read children's books!

[Erin]

It is literally a book about a cat that is a witch. HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE THIS. New favorite children's book.

[Mishea Obiji]

This book brings back so many memories. I absolutely loved the artwork as a child and today, although I didn't actually read through the entire book until I was an adult, as it was a bit long for a little child. It was everything I've always enjoyed throughout my life, fairies, unicorns, dark and spooky haunted houses, it's one of the books that inspired me to write and illustrate my own. so much love.

[Lily]

Straight up can’t believe there are people out there rating this less than 5 stars. My favourite book bar none when I was a child, which I’ve re-read half a hundred times as an adult. Beautifully told and more beautifully illustrated; I have no idea how I’ve managed to hang onto my birthday-gift copy from 1983, but I’m so glad I did. Everything about it is magical.

[Ali]

This was my favorite book when I was little and I was thrilled to find my copy again. I may be an adult, but I still loved reading it. The illustrations are so beautiful and it’s such a great story. I wish they would start printing it again so today’s children could read this beautiful book.

[Karen Hands]

This was a childhood favourite! The story is simple, but has fun fantasy elements of a cat becoming a witch's assistant and visiting the land of Faery. The illustrations are beautiful and are the best part of the book really.

[Michelle Keil]

Early inspiration for my penchant for talking cats. This book really does have everything.

[Rebecca Anne]

I adored this story as a child. I treasure the book.

[Erth]

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

[Rina]

I read this book when I was 8 with my mum's help and it's one of my favourite books to this day.
This book is probably why I'm such a die-hard fantasy reader all these years later. Witches, fairies, wizards, potions and secret undercover magic society, Catwitch is choc-a-block with every fantasy element imaginable!
I remember this being my first chapter book (I was so proud) and the long story makes it even more enchanting. Lisa Tuttle's characters had me adoring Jules and Edna every step of the way, I couldn't help but get more and more attached to them with every page.
The story begins with Edna adopting Jules as her familiar and the contrast between Jules & Edna's found family to the unpredictable world around them created such a sweet and cozy opening to the story. Una Woodruff's gorgeous illustrations made the story even more charming.
I adore Catwitch, and my everlasting impresson will be a charming and cozy story filled with adventure and magic. I still get the warm-and-fuzzies whenever I see the cover.

Catwitch is a brilliant introduction to fantasy for young readers and I can't recommend it enough.

[Kazzmatazz]

I loved this book as a child, but unfortunately went to a Catholic school where it was deemed 'restricted' in our library. I was only allowed to check it out twice, but often went back to the library to sit and read it repeatedly. The illustrations were gorgeous and the story imaginative and rich.

[Robinbp]

what a wonderful book!
the images and wonderful fantasy story kept me glued in all throughout the 79 pages.
hard to find, i still have my original copy and i never had to search a library for it but if i could still buy it, i'd get a copy for most of the young kids i know to share the inspiration with them.

[deanna]

since my aunt kiya gave me this book in kindergarten, it remains my all time favourite story...it encouraged me to practice drawing and has filled me with the belief that the magic of nature and personal belief are mystifying and supernatural

[Juliette]

This is a fantastic long out-of-print classic. The illustrations are well done and include fairies, unicorns, cat witches! What more could you want? Keep your eyes peeled for this delightful book at thrift stores.

[Connie Mester]

Gorgeous illustrations!! If you have children that appreciate stories about magic (witches, fairies, unicorns, etc.), I would definitely recommend this one. The book is out of print, but I borrowed a copy from the library.

[Jessi]

This one gets 5 stars for the illustrations if for no other reason. I'm still hoping to one day be able to afford the sometimes astronomical price tag for this BEAUTIFUL out of print book.

[R.L. Martinez]

Lovely illustrations and a charming story combine to make this a wonderful edition to any child's library. Wish they would bring it back into print!

[Robin Ferguson]

I love kids books. With a name like Catwitch it immediately caught my attention.

[Shirleyleishmanlives]

Gorgeous!

[Krystl Louwagie]

A cute story about a cat who wants to have adventures, but is also a loyal and good companion. Plus, magic and unicorns.

[Leilani]

I read this book as a child, and was captivated by the illustrations in particular. If children like the illustrations in Graeme Base's books, I think they will enjoy the ones in Catwitch.

[Mizzy Mint]

I found this at a used book store in hardcover and it is so cute. It's about a cat that wants to be a witch. It's beautifully illustrated and so very cute.

[joshy ya!]

weird