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Katje : The Windmill Cat
Based on a true story over 500 years old, this is the story of Katje, the windmill cat, who lives with the miller. When he gets married Katje is driven from the house, and moves into the windmill. When a storm breaks the dyke, Katje performs an extraordinary feat of courage, and is welcomed home.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 17, 2011
Based on the true story of the 1421 Elizabeth's Day Flood in South Holland, this is the story of Katje, the windmill cat, who is not welcomed by the miller's new wife but eventually saves the day.
I love the illustrations here! Nicola Bayley really knows cats and does a lovely, charming job portraying them in her work. I especially loved this one because we have a calico cat ;-) They bumped this up to a four star for me.
However, the story made me rather sad. I don't think there is anything exactly wrong with the way it was told, and there is a happy ending BUT, being such a cat-lover myself, the miller's wife's lack of understanding about Katje upset me. It was so sad to see Katje pushed out of bed to make room for the wife, or swept out of the house because she made pawprints on the floor. It didn't make sense, when the miller and Katje had been so close before and he still clearly cared about her, but I guess he just wanted to cater to the wife? Also, I sometimes find myself annoyed with stories where an animal (or person) is highly disliked until it does something to help the person who had been mean to it in the first place--I know it is meant to show that people can change, but sometimes it just irks me since it seems like the cat (or whatever) is only appreciated because of what it did, not because of its true self (just a personal pet-peeve...)
If nothing else, reading this story made me appreciate my husband even more. When we got married, I knew that I was also getting a very pampered princess step-cat in the bargain. And while Pandy and I sometimes had trouble adjusting to one another (I think Katje was a bit more amiable than Pandy about the whole "having to share daddy" thing), I'm glad we stuck with it. She still loves daddy best, but we never pushed her out of the bed and now she sleeps on my side ;-)
I love the illustrations here! Nicola Bayley really knows cats and does a lovely, charming job portraying them in her work. I especially loved this one because we have a calico cat ;-) They bumped this up to a four star for me.
However, the story made me rather sad. I don't think there is anything exactly wrong with the way it was told, and there is a happy ending BUT, being such a cat-lover myself, the miller's wife's lack of understanding about Katje upset me. It was so sad to see Katje pushed out of bed to make room for the wife, or swept out of the house because she made pawprints on the floor. It didn't make sense, when the miller and Katje had been so close before and he still clearly cared about her, but I guess he just wanted to cater to the wife? Also, I sometimes find myself annoyed with stories where an animal (or person) is highly disliked until it does something to help the person who had been mean to it in the first place--I know it is meant to show that people can change, but sometimes it just irks me since it seems like the cat (or whatever) is only appreciated because of what it did, not because of its true self (just a personal pet-peeve...)
If nothing else, reading this story made me appreciate my husband even more. When we got married, I knew that I was also getting a very pampered princess step-cat in the bargain. And while Pandy and I sometimes had trouble adjusting to one another (I think Katje was a bit more amiable than Pandy about the whole "having to share daddy" thing), I'm glad we stuck with it. She still loves daddy best, but we never pushed her out of the bed and now she sleeps on my side ;-)
September 27, 2011
Pictures: Gorgeous and just wonderful.
Story: Made me very sad and very angry, even though there is a happy ending to this historical fiction tale. Hated the new wife for quite some time! Hated that a loving cat, a treasured family member, was pushed aside, first for the wife, then for the new baby. I’m too sensitive for this sort of tale. My sadness persisted even after things turned around and the cat was once again appreciated.
It’s a lovely book though.
There is also an interesting author's note at the end of the book.
Story: Made me very sad and very angry, even though there is a happy ending to this historical fiction tale. Hated the new wife for quite some time! Hated that a loving cat, a treasured family member, was pushed aside, first for the wife, then for the new baby. I’m too sensitive for this sort of tale. My sadness persisted even after things turned around and the cat was once again appreciated.
It’s a lovely book though.
There is also an interesting author's note at the end of the book.
April 2, 2020
Using a historical legend from the Netherlands about a cat and human infant who survived the terrible fifteenth-century St. Elizabeth's Day flood together as her starting point, Gretchen Woelfle weaves a heartwarming tale of family change and adjustment in Katje, the Windmill Cat, one in which the feline of the family finally finds her place. Devoted to her human, Nico the Miller, Katje was a much-indulged only cat, until the day Nico came home from the village with his new wife, Lena. A tidy soul who liked to clean, Lena had little patience for Katje (or anyone else) tracking flour into her house. When Nico and Lena's baby was born, the new mother, constantly worried about this and that (would Anneke's cradle tip over? would the cat make her sneeze?), drove Katje away from the infant. Retreating to the mill, Katje lived for a time in 'exile,' until a catastrophic flood, and Katje's balancing act, in saving little Anneke, convinced Lena that this was one cat she wanted around.
Unlike some of the friends who recommended this one to me, I was not unduly put off by Lena's initial resistance to having Katje around, nor did I find her conspicuously cruel. If anything, I thought this was probably a fairly realistic depiction of how a new housewife, one determined to keep her new domain clean (and boy, what an incredible amount of work that involved, before the advent of modern conveniences like electricity and heated water!), would react to an animal companion being allowed free reign in the house. Lena's actions, in separating Katje from her newborn baby, Anneke, also didn't strike me as maliciously intended, but rather as the result of a first-time mother's almost paranoid worry - would Katje make the baby sneeze? would she tip over the cradle? Of course, Katje's sadness, in being parted from her long-time human companion, Nico, was very poignant, and I felt that the integration of a new member (Lena) into the family could have been handled better, but I was very cognizant, while reading, of how recent an attitude that is, and how reliant on the contemporary idea of animals as part of the family.
In any case, the sad set-up pays off in the end, because Katje's balancing act on Anneke's water-borne cradle, saves the day, and all is happily resolved. This too, while disturbing to some, seemed realistic to me. Sometimes, people need something extraordinary to happen, in order to be jolted out of their previous ideas and ways of looking at things. In short, the narrative of Katje, the Windmill Cat really worked for me, and in combination with the artwork, which was simply gorgeous, made for a lovely reading experience. Nicola Bayley, who also illustrated The Mousehole Cat , knows her kitties, and that really comes through in the artwork here! I also liked some of the little details in the paintings, and the delft-looking tiles that form a vertical border, on the page. Highly recommended, to all young cat lovers, and to readers who enjoy fairy-tale style stories, where things change for the heroine because of momentous events.
Unlike some of the friends who recommended this one to me, I was not unduly put off by Lena's initial resistance to having Katje around, nor did I find her conspicuously cruel. If anything, I thought this was probably a fairly realistic depiction of how a new housewife, one determined to keep her new domain clean (and boy, what an incredible amount of work that involved, before the advent of modern conveniences like electricity and heated water!), would react to an animal companion being allowed free reign in the house. Lena's actions, in separating Katje from her newborn baby, Anneke, also didn't strike me as maliciously intended, but rather as the result of a first-time mother's almost paranoid worry - would Katje make the baby sneeze? would she tip over the cradle? Of course, Katje's sadness, in being parted from her long-time human companion, Nico, was very poignant, and I felt that the integration of a new member (Lena) into the family could have been handled better, but I was very cognizant, while reading, of how recent an attitude that is, and how reliant on the contemporary idea of animals as part of the family.
In any case, the sad set-up pays off in the end, because Katje's balancing act on Anneke's water-borne cradle, saves the day, and all is happily resolved. This too, while disturbing to some, seemed realistic to me. Sometimes, people need something extraordinary to happen, in order to be jolted out of their previous ideas and ways of looking at things. In short, the narrative of Katje, the Windmill Cat really worked for me, and in combination with the artwork, which was simply gorgeous, made for a lovely reading experience. Nicola Bayley, who also illustrated The Mousehole Cat , knows her kitties, and that really comes through in the artwork here! I also liked some of the little details in the paintings, and the delft-looking tiles that form a vertical border, on the page. Highly recommended, to all young cat lovers, and to readers who enjoy fairy-tale style stories, where things change for the heroine because of momentous events.
April 13, 2012
Found this book yesterday, when visiting a museum. I knew the story, because it is part of the folklore tales of my country. It's a lovely book to read to kids who are learning to read. When their reading abilities improve it is a good story to read themselves. Illustrations, so important to stimulate fantasy, are wonderful, even I got a bit emotional when I finished the book. Based on events during the Saint Elizabethflood, 5 November 1421.
This story also has given its name to one of the most famous places in the Netherlands: Kinderdijk, which has a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List Watch and read about Kinderdijk
This story also has given its name to one of the most famous places in the Netherlands: Kinderdijk, which has a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List Watch and read about Kinderdijk
August 11, 2009
I told my kids this story wasn't true while I was reading it--turns out it was! (or was at least based on a true event)
January 8, 2020
We so enjoy picture books based on true stories! Also the Dutch setting of the story is part of our heritage. ❤️
September 24, 2019
Tear jerker exploring rapid change and upheaval. Based on a true story
Read
September 26, 2024“On November 5, 1421, St. Elizabeth Day, a violent storm blew in from the North Sea, breaking through the dikes and flooding a small village in South Holland. Katje the Windmill Cat is based on a true story of the Elizabeth’s Day Flood. A cat and a little baby did live through that terrible flood.”
Inspired by this true story, Gretchen Woelfle created an absolutely charming story about Katje and the baby she saved that day. Inspired by the Old Dutch Masters, Nicola Bayley researched the art of that time and drew inspiration from the classic blue and white tiles. The resulting pictures are both classical and comfortable. Absolutely perfect for a picture book that will be read aloud to little ones snuggled in your lap.
When the story opens, Katje lives a comfortable life with Nico, the miller, in a Dutch village by the sea. While Nico grinds the flour, Katje keeps the windmill free of mice. They have a happy life.
One day, Nico doesn’t go to the mill. Instead, he goes into town and comes home with a wife, Lena. Lena and Katje are not comfortable together, and things get worse when Anneke is born. Katje moves out of the house and into the mill permanently. But Katje loves Anneke and sneaks into the house at night to sit atop her cradle and rock her to sleep.
One terrible day, a storm rages through the town and Nico has to stay at the mill constantly grinding flour so that as the windmill works in the wind, the grinding stone will not cast off sparks and set the mill on fire. When Lena brings him his breakfast, Katje sneaks out of the mill to visit Anneke at the house.
Nico is not home when the dike fails and the sea comes rushing through the village sweeping whole houses out to sea. But Katje is. Despite the terrible storm, Katje stays with Anneke.
This gorgeous book would appeal to children and adults alike. I may be building a Windmills and Dikes Wonder Box, and if I do, this will certainly go into it.
August 11, 2018
The moral of the story is about the importance of the cat performing a heroic action that saved the baby. The message gives children an idea that it is important to think of others and not just themselves.
The story also teaches children about the history on November 5 1421 on st Elizabeth's day where a violent storm from the North Sea broke through the dikes flooding a small village in South Holland. The idea of Katjie the windmill cat is a true story, this teaches the children about the stronger dike built around the village named after kinderdijk which men's children's dike in Dutch to honour the baby who was saved by the cat.
I would recommend this book because it taught about a different part of history that took place in Holland . The illustrations in the book are basic which helped me to picture the bad weather in south Holland in the small village.
August 5, 2025
I like this picture book for the Netherlands when reading your way around the world with students. It's based on a true event. 'On November 5, 1421, St. Elizabeth's Day, a violent storm blew in from the North Sea, breaking through the dikes and flooding a small village in South Holland. Katje, the Windmill Cat... is based on a true story of that flood. A cat and a little baby did live through that terrible flood.'
Although the miller's wife initially takes the cat's place in bed, then tries to keep her from the baby, after the cat rides out the storm in Annike's cradle, keeping her safe and warm, she regains her rightful place in the home. The illustrations are lovely and keep the climactic event from being too scary. I enjoyed the artistic touch of the blue and white tiles decorating each page as well.
Although the miller's wife initially takes the cat's place in bed, then tries to keep her from the baby, after the cat rides out the storm in Annike's cradle, keeping her safe and warm, she regains her rightful place in the home. The illustrations are lovely and keep the climactic event from being too scary. I enjoyed the artistic touch of the blue and white tiles decorating each page as well.
October 21, 2019
I loved this story from Holland about a cat who finds her place in her miller family, and whose family fully accepts her as part of their family, too.
Based on a true story about a baby and cat who survived the sea flood in 1421 when a dike broke.
Based on a true story about a baby and cat who survived the sea flood in 1421 when a dike broke.
January 11, 2020
We made Windmill crafts today so I thought this would be a cute book to read with the kids but it was way too long and I had to shorten it, I feel like it just ends up falling flat for children. It's not really exciting or captivating at all :(
January 25, 2021
My kids and I adored this little story about a cat who loved his family so much, he risked his life to save the baby during a flash flood. Then to read the last page and find out it was based on a true story as well - what a wonderful surprise ending to make this book even that much more lovable!
January 8, 2020
Lovely story inspired by true events.
August 19, 2020
This book is based on a true story about a cat who saved a baby in a flood in 1421 in Holland. It's awesome, and anyone who has a cat will connect with this one. Beautiful illustrations.
July 13, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised. I found that the book as a whole was well written and intelligent.
September 3, 2021
We loved this book!
November 9, 2022
I wish Katie hadn’t needed to prove her worth though.
July 10, 2023
Such a sweet little story!
August 27, 2023
This is such a sweet and beautifully illustrated story of a heroic cat named Katje! I loved it!
January 10, 2024
Heart warming story, based on 1421 flood in Netherlands da and Kinderdjik
May 9, 2024
Booyah cats and based n true story
July 29, 2024
Based on a true story from the Dutch Kinderdijk, which I visited this summer
December 13, 2024
Precious, story of the under appreciated family cat who saved an infant when the flood came. Recommend.
January 19, 2025
A good read to go along with our geography study of Netherlands. Short and simple story with plenty of Holland themes throughout.
October 22, 2025
Incredible book about a true-ish story! Lots of words, so better for an older kid or a night time read. Incredible art. Cannot say enough good things about the illustrations.
November 5, 2016
Why was I crying my eyes out at the end of this story?
April 8, 2023
Pretty story about a loyal kitty!
March 1, 2017
Cute illustrations but the story needs more focus (on the cat). This reminds me of a sad ep of My Cat From Hell actually.
January 12, 2013
(Mommy's review from 3/23/11)
Wow! This is a beautiful, beautiful book! I thought - wrongly - that it would be boring when we first started it so I'm happy we kept going.
Katje (pronounced Katie?) is based on a true story almost 600 years old out of South Holland! In 1421, on Nov. 5th to be exact, a storm coming off of the North Sea flooded a small village. "A cat and a baby did live through that terrible flood." I'm aware that they didn't live through the flood in the manner described in the book but I wouldn't have minded a sentence or two about how they did in fact survive.
After the storm passed the villagers built a new dike to hold back the ocean. They named this the Kinderdijk which is Children's Dike in Dutch. This was to honour the baby - and I hope - the cat.
The fictional story is a good one - Katje lives with a miller and he soon brings a new wife home. The wife isn't as tolerable as the miller and the cat is almost human (how realistic!) in her mannerisms. The end is especially touching with the miller grabbing the baby and the wife grabbing Katje.
Julia's always had a hard time appreciating books based on true stories while, being such a non-fiction lover, I can't stay away. She was able to get more into this true story which I read to her after finishing Katje. Maybe because an animal is involved and she's able to imagine it better? I'll have to find some other stories based on real life with animals in them. :)
Wow! This is a beautiful, beautiful book! I thought - wrongly - that it would be boring when we first started it so I'm happy we kept going.
Katje (pronounced Katie?) is based on a true story almost 600 years old out of South Holland! In 1421, on Nov. 5th to be exact, a storm coming off of the North Sea flooded a small village. "A cat and a baby did live through that terrible flood." I'm aware that they didn't live through the flood in the manner described in the book but I wouldn't have minded a sentence or two about how they did in fact survive.
After the storm passed the villagers built a new dike to hold back the ocean. They named this the Kinderdijk which is Children's Dike in Dutch. This was to honour the baby - and I hope - the cat.
The fictional story is a good one - Katje lives with a miller and he soon brings a new wife home. The wife isn't as tolerable as the miller and the cat is almost human (how realistic!) in her mannerisms. The end is especially touching with the miller grabbing the baby and the wife grabbing Katje.
Julia's always had a hard time appreciating books based on true stories while, being such a non-fiction lover, I can't stay away. She was able to get more into this true story which I read to her after finishing Katje. Maybe because an animal is involved and she's able to imagine it better? I'll have to find some other stories based on real life with animals in them. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews