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The Cat Who Came in off the Roof
In the tradition of The Cricket in Times Square comes this charming tale of courage, friendship, and what it really means to be human. This classic, which originated in Holland and has withstood the test of time worldwide, will appeal to readers young and old—and dog and cat lovers alike!
An act of kindness brings shy reporter Mr. Tibble into contact with the unusual Miss Minou. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes stories about cats. Fortunately, Minou provides him with real news. She gets the juicy inside information from her local feline friends, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Tibble is appreciative, but he wonders how she does it. He has noticed that Minou is terrified of dogs and can climb trees and rooftops with elegance and ease. . . . It's almost as if she's a cat herself. But how can that be?
An act of kindness brings shy reporter Mr. Tibble into contact with the unusual Miss Minou. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes stories about cats. Fortunately, Minou provides him with real news. She gets the juicy inside information from her local feline friends, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Tibble is appreciative, but he wonders how she does it. He has noticed that Minou is terrified of dogs and can climb trees and rooftops with elegance and ease. . . . It's almost as if she's a cat herself. But how can that be?
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
85 people are currently reading
1894 people want to read
About the author
Annie M.G. Schmidt
324 books222 followersAnna Maria Geertruida Schmidt was a Dutch writer.
Although she wrote a variety of poems, songs, books, plays, musicals, and radio- en television drama, she is known best for her children's literature, for which she received the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1988. She committed suicide a day after her 84th birthday and was buried in Amsterdam.
Although she wrote a variety of poems, songs, books, plays, musicals, and radio- en television drama, she is known best for her children's literature, for which she received the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1988. She committed suicide a day after her 84th birthday and was buried in Amsterdam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
January 1, 2022
Review first posted on www.FantasyLiterature.com:
Annie M.G. Schmidt, who died in 1995, was a beloved and well-respected author in the Netherlands, her native land. In 1988 she won the Hans Christian Anderson Award, the most distinguished international award in children’s literature, which is granted to authors and illustrators whose body of work has made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. Unfortunately, until now Schmidt’s work has not been published in the English language, so she is not well known in the U.S. That may change with the 2016 publication of her 1970 book, The Cat Who Came In off the Roof (Dutch title: “Minoes”), translated by David Colmer.
Tibble, a painfully shy reporter, is on the verge of losing his job with the Killenthorn Courier newspaper: his editor is tired of his articles about cats (“there’s never any news in them!”). The problem is that Tibble is too introverted to approach and talk to people and find out actual news in his town. On his way home he helps an attractive young redheaded woman who has been treed by a furiously barking German Shepherd. When he finds her later that evening rummaging for food in his garbage bin, soaked with the rain and stuffing a large fish skeleton into her mouth, he feels sorry for her and invites her into his home to dry off and share a meal.
This mysterious young lady, who introduces herself as Miss Minou, tells Tibble that she can talk to cats because ... she was once a cat herself. Tibble considers her “totally bonkers,” but he has to admit she has an unusual ability to communicate with his cat Fluff. So he lets her stay the night, curled up in a large box lined with fresh newspaper. On her way to bed, Minou mentions that another cat, Cross-Eyed Simon, told her that his owner, a schoolteacher, is depressed because no one in town has remembered his twenty-fifth anniversary as head teacher at the local school.
And suddenly Tibble has his first legitimate news story. His editor is delighted, and Minou develops an awesome ability to glean all the latest news from the local population of cats, who watch what their owners do and say.
... although some cats are more helpful than others:
The Cat Who Came In off the Roof has an original, quirky flavor that may derive from its European origin and setting. For example, most of the main characters are adults rather than children. The various cat characters are particularly appealing and memorable, including the Tatter Cat, a stray who views humans with deep distrust but is Minou’s primary source for interesting news, and the misguided School Cat (“I’ve got some news… Henry the Eighth got divorced.”). Minou’s Aunt Sooty turns up occasionally to offer her suggestions and advice:
This charming fantasy novel is written at a middle grade level, but the humor and deft characterization of the local cat population will endear it to adults as well as children. It’s a simple but heartwarming tale, and a must-read for anyone who loves cats!
I received a free copy of the ebook from the publisher in return for a review.
Annie M.G. Schmidt, who died in 1995, was a beloved and well-respected author in the Netherlands, her native land. In 1988 she won the Hans Christian Anderson Award, the most distinguished international award in children’s literature, which is granted to authors and illustrators whose body of work has made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. Unfortunately, until now Schmidt’s work has not been published in the English language, so she is not well known in the U.S. That may change with the 2016 publication of her 1970 book, The Cat Who Came In off the Roof (Dutch title: “Minoes”), translated by David Colmer.
Tibble, a painfully shy reporter, is on the verge of losing his job with the Killenthorn Courier newspaper: his editor is tired of his articles about cats (“there’s never any news in them!”). The problem is that Tibble is too introverted to approach and talk to people and find out actual news in his town. On his way home he helps an attractive young redheaded woman who has been treed by a furiously barking German Shepherd. When he finds her later that evening rummaging for food in his garbage bin, soaked with the rain and stuffing a large fish skeleton into her mouth, he feels sorry for her and invites her into his home to dry off and share a meal.
This mysterious young lady, who introduces herself as Miss Minou, tells Tibble that she can talk to cats because ... she was once a cat herself. Tibble considers her “totally bonkers,” but he has to admit she has an unusual ability to communicate with his cat Fluff. So he lets her stay the night, curled up in a large box lined with fresh newspaper. On her way to bed, Minou mentions that another cat, Cross-Eyed Simon, told her that his owner, a schoolteacher, is depressed because no one in town has remembered his twenty-fifth anniversary as head teacher at the local school.
And suddenly Tibble has his first legitimate news story. His editor is delighted, and Minou develops an awesome ability to glean all the latest news from the local population of cats, who watch what their owners do and say.
... although some cats are more helpful than others:
“Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament,” the School Cat said. “Make sure it’s in tomorrow’s paper.”So Minou stays with Tibble and feeds him news scoops while he feeds her fish. This arrangement works out well for everyone involved, although Tibble has some trouble with trying to break Minou of overly cattish habits like rubbing up against people and stalking birds and mice. Minou herself is torn: she can’t decide whether she wants to remain a human or ― assuming she ever gets the chance ― go back to being a cat. But when the local cats find out that Mr. Ellmore, the president of the local Animal Lovers’ Association, is not only cruel to animals (when no one else is looking, of course) but is committing criminal acts, it will take the combined efforts of cats and humans to try to bring his nefarious deeds to light.
“Thanks,” said Minou. He’d been sitting in on the history lesson again.
The Cat Who Came In off the Roof has an original, quirky flavor that may derive from its European origin and setting. For example, most of the main characters are adults rather than children. The various cat characters are particularly appealing and memorable, including the Tatter Cat, a stray who views humans with deep distrust but is Minou’s primary source for interesting news, and the misguided School Cat (“I’ve got some news… Henry the Eighth got divorced.”). Minou’s Aunt Sooty turns up occasionally to offer her suggestions and advice:
"Wash yourself with spit. Lick yourself. That is the beginning and end of all wisdom."In its original Dutch form, The Cat Who Came In off the Roof was the 1971 winner of Dutch Zilveren Griffel (Silver Pencil) literary award for children’s literature. It was the basis for the popular 2001 Dutch film Minoes, which was later dubbed and released in an English version under the titles Miss Minoes and Undercover Kitty.
This charming fantasy novel is written at a middle grade level, but the humor and deft characterization of the local cat population will endear it to adults as well as children. It’s a simple but heartwarming tale, and a must-read for anyone who loves cats!
I received a free copy of the ebook from the publisher in return for a review.
April 18, 2024
Tibbe is a shy newspaper reporter who mostly writes about cats. He likes to think that he cheers people up by writing about cats instead of wars or other bad and depressing news. But his boss doesn’t agree with him and tells him to write about something else for a change. Something that requires him to actually talk to people. And it needs to be good, or he’ll lose his job.
Minoes is now a young lady. But until recently, she was a cat. While talking to some cats on a roof, she smells a delicious fish. So she drops down from the roof through a window and into Tibbe’s kitchen.
They both need help. He needs good articles to save his career. She needs a place to stay and time to figure out who she is now that she’s become human. They need each other. And her ability to talk to cats gives her a wealth of interesting news to tell Tibbe.
The plot is very straight forward but also very endearing and charming. You can guess what will happen in the end pretty quickly, yet you can’t help but look forward to the satisfying conclusion. And it’s the characters that are the core of this story. It’s easy to connect with the shy and introverted Tibbe who clearly takes a liking to Minoes and wants to help her. But he struggles with her cat-like behavior as it occasionally gets them both into trouble. And it’s hard not to root for the quirky Minoes who’s struggling with her identity as she still feels like a cat. But as the story progresses, she begins to accept her human side too.
Minoes (The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof) is a very famous Dutch classic. I remember loving the movie as a kid, so I wanted to give the original book a shot. And I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it. It’s a fun, quick and easy read with a lot to love. Though you’ll probably like it more if you’re a cat person.
Minoes is now a young lady. But until recently, she was a cat. While talking to some cats on a roof, she smells a delicious fish. So she drops down from the roof through a window and into Tibbe’s kitchen.
They both need help. He needs good articles to save his career. She needs a place to stay and time to figure out who she is now that she’s become human. They need each other. And her ability to talk to cats gives her a wealth of interesting news to tell Tibbe.
The plot is very straight forward but also very endearing and charming. You can guess what will happen in the end pretty quickly, yet you can’t help but look forward to the satisfying conclusion. And it’s the characters that are the core of this story. It’s easy to connect with the shy and introverted Tibbe who clearly takes a liking to Minoes and wants to help her. But he struggles with her cat-like behavior as it occasionally gets them both into trouble. And it’s hard not to root for the quirky Minoes who’s struggling with her identity as she still feels like a cat. But as the story progresses, she begins to accept her human side too.
Minoes (The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof) is a very famous Dutch classic. I remember loving the movie as a kid, so I wanted to give the original book a shot. And I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it. It’s a fun, quick and easy read with a lot to love. Though you’ll probably like it more if you’re a cat person.
November 11, 2015
Unpopular opinion here, but I didn't really care for this book. I was a nanny for many years and I have read my fair share of children's books. What I have come to learn is that just because a book is for children doesn't mean it has to be overly simple or lazy.
Unfortunately I found this book to be just that. The writing was very stilted and while the plot had potential I found it to be rather boring. I realize that I am far from the target audience, but there are just so many other children's books out there that are entertaining for the parent and the child that I don't feel the need to settle for yawn inducing books.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Bin
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2015
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
I thought this was a delightful read and would recommend to anyone that has kids or just loves to read children's books such as I do :)
Poor Mr. Tibble works for the Killenthorn Courier and his boss has told him he will be fired if he doesn't go out and get real stories. All he writes about are cats and anything nice. He's too shy to go around talking to people and finding stories for the paper.
One day when he's walking home he is talking to a man and out of the blue runs a woman being chased by a dog and she flies up a tree at an incredible speed. Mr. Tibble soon gets her down but wonders how in the world did she get up that tree so fast.
That same night he is pacing his attic apartment talking to his cat Fluff about being fired if he can't come up with something. Later on that night he hears a noise in the kitchen and he finds the lady digging through his garbage can! She said her name is Minou and he fixes her something to eat and finding out her story.
Her story is so incredible that he can't believe it until she helps him with his job and he becomes a great writer for the paper.
Mr. Tibble and Miss Minou go through a bunch of stories and scrapes together along with a large assortment of friends.
I loved it, it's such a sweet little story and it even has some good lessons about the caring of animals in the book.
*I would like to thank NETGALLEY and RANDOM HOUSE for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
I thought this was a delightful read and would recommend to anyone that has kids or just loves to read children's books such as I do :)
Poor Mr. Tibble works for the Killenthorn Courier and his boss has told him he will be fired if he doesn't go out and get real stories. All he writes about are cats and anything nice. He's too shy to go around talking to people and finding stories for the paper.
One day when he's walking home he is talking to a man and out of the blue runs a woman being chased by a dog and she flies up a tree at an incredible speed. Mr. Tibble soon gets her down but wonders how in the world did she get up that tree so fast.
That same night he is pacing his attic apartment talking to his cat Fluff about being fired if he can't come up with something. Later on that night he hears a noise in the kitchen and he finds the lady digging through his garbage can! She said her name is Minou and he fixes her something to eat and finding out her story.
Her story is so incredible that he can't believe it until she helps him with his job and he becomes a great writer for the paper.
Mr. Tibble and Miss Minou go through a bunch of stories and scrapes together along with a large assortment of friends.
I loved it, it's such a sweet little story and it even has some good lessons about the caring of animals in the book.
*I would like to thank NETGALLEY and RANDOM HOUSE for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
January 23, 2016
What good fortune that Delacorte Books for Young Readers chose to reissue Annie M.G. Schmidt’s The Cat Who Came in off the Roof, a charming tale of a timid newspaper reporter and the clever but mysterious woman who comes to his rescue! Originally published in Dutch in 1970, this children’s story has lost none of its charm in the ensuring five decades.
In danger of losing his job for typing out nothing but stories about cats, the excruciatingly shy Mr. Tibble has been directed to get past his reluctance to interview folks and bring home some real news to the Killenthorn Courier, the town’s newspaper. A chance encounter with a pretty redhead named Miss Minou gives Tibble the big break he needs; so as not to spoil things, let’s just say that Miss Minou is able to find out scoops due some very unusual abilities. I know that readers — be they young or simply young at heart — will find Miss Minou and Mr. Tibble as irresistible as I did!
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
In danger of losing his job for typing out nothing but stories about cats, the excruciatingly shy Mr. Tibble has been directed to get past his reluctance to interview folks and bring home some real news to the Killenthorn Courier, the town’s newspaper. A chance encounter with a pretty redhead named Miss Minou gives Tibble the big break he needs; so as not to spoil things, let’s just say that Miss Minou is able to find out scoops due some very unusual abilities. I know that readers — be they young or simply young at heart — will find Miss Minou and Mr. Tibble as irresistible as I did!
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2020
"Het mooiste kattenverhaal dat de Nederlandse literatuur heeft voortgebracht" staat op de omslag van dit heerlijke boek en daar ben ik het helemaal mee eens.
Een klassieker uit 1970 die ook zeker in de boekenkast van 2020 thuishoort.
Een klassieker uit 1970 die ook zeker in de boekenkast van 2020 thuishoort.
February 7, 2021
Misschien ben ik in een extra nostalgische bui vandaag, door de sneeuw, maar ik werd dus ook helemaal nostalgisch van dit boek :D echt een heel leuk verhaal. Had de film al heel vaak gezien, maar het boek nog nooit gelezen. Het was trouwens voor jongere kinderen geschreven (qua stijl) dan ik verwachtte, maar ik zat er al heel snel helemaal in. Hoe de katse manieren tot in de kleinste details worden door verwerkt, de kleine grapjes en het is ook gewoon een heel lief verhaal. Ook een leuk detail in een kinderboek (uit de jaren 70). Tibbe die zijn buurman excuses aanbiedt omdat hij geen sigaretten in huis heeft voor het bezoek 'Maar ik heb wel pepermuntjes?'
November 14, 2017
A fantasy story about a cat who becomes a woman when she eats something out of the rubbish bin outside "The Institute". When Tibble, a newspaper reporter, rescues Minou from a tree after being chased by a dog, she moves into his attic apartment. When Tibble is almost fired from his job for only writing about cats, his boss gives him one more chance. Minou is still able to communicate with cats. She hears what's going on around town by speaking to them and passes the information on to Tibble. He is now able to write breaking news stories, thus keeping his job. But when he has a story about a local bigwig doing something wrong with only cats for witnesses, he has to decide if he will write the story or not. He finally decides he will and then must decide whether he will stand by it or not. Minou is also given the opportunity to turn back into a cat and must decide if she wants to change back or stay a human being.
A cute book with talking cats! This book was originally written in Dutch and has been translated to English. There is a little bit of mystery, quest for the truth, a cat-lady, and a whole host of cat characters. Throughout the story Tibble is trying to get Minou to become less "catish" but he eventually accepts her for what she is. An early chapter book that readers in early junior would enjoy, especially if they like cats. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
A cute book with talking cats! This book was originally written in Dutch and has been translated to English. There is a little bit of mystery, quest for the truth, a cat-lady, and a whole host of cat characters. Throughout the story Tibble is trying to get Minou to become less "catish" but he eventually accepts her for what she is. An early chapter book that readers in early junior would enjoy, especially if they like cats. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
January 24, 2016
Cute cat story
This is a good book about a woman who used to be a cat. The author is supposed to be the children's book author that everyone in the Netherlands reads. She has won the Hans Christian Anderson Award. I am not sure if this is not the best example of her work, or if the translation is not the best that it could be, because although it was a pleasant read, it was just that, pleasant.
The story is of Minou, the former cat, and the human that takes her in Mr. Tibbles, who writes for the local town newspaper. He only wants to write about cats, because he is so shy, and since Minou can talk to cats, and the cats want to help him, they feed him news stories, which works out better than writing about cats.
As I said, there is nothing wrong with the book, and it is cute, but It isn't likely something I would reread, as I would the Moomin books, or E. Nesbit.
This is a good book about a woman who used to be a cat. The author is supposed to be the children's book author that everyone in the Netherlands reads. She has won the Hans Christian Anderson Award. I am not sure if this is not the best example of her work, or if the translation is not the best that it could be, because although it was a pleasant read, it was just that, pleasant.
The story is of Minou, the former cat, and the human that takes her in Mr. Tibbles, who writes for the local town newspaper. He only wants to write about cats, because he is so shy, and since Minou can talk to cats, and the cats want to help him, they feed him news stories, which works out better than writing about cats.
As I said, there is nothing wrong with the book, and it is cute, but It isn't likely something I would reread, as I would the Moomin books, or E. Nesbit.
August 9, 2024
bij derde lezing
De verlegen journalist Tibbe krijgt een juffrouw inwonen, Minoes, die vroeger kat is geweest en zich nog steeds vaak als kat gedraagt. Zij helpt hem via de "katten-persdienst" aan nieuws. Fantasievol, met schitterende vondsten, geweldige personages (zowel mensen als katten), en een spannend en lief einde. Een heerlijk boek!
bij vierde lezing
En deze klassieker nóg maar 's gelezen. En weer een heerlijk boek, waarvan het eind zo verrekte jammer is dat je het uithebt, zeker als je er maar een paar uur eerder aan was begonnen. Zowel de lieve 'katse' hoofdpersoon als het boek zijn om te zoenen.
bij vijfde lezing
Na het zien van een stukje van de film is de wil weer zeer groot om dit magistrale kinderboek nog eens te lezen. Tibbe en de Jakkepoes en natuurlijk vooral Minoes zelf zijn onvergetelijke karakters en de scenes van een verzopen Minoes met een visgraat, Minoes en de muis en Minoes met de sleuteltjes het keer op keer herlezen meer dan waard.
bij zesde lezing
Hoe vaak kan je een meesterwerk lezen voor het verveelt? Ik lees Minoes voor de vierde keer in acht jaar en het is nog steeds ongekend genieten. Het boek zit barstensvol subtiele humor en nog subtielere maatschappijkritiek en de hoofdrol, Minoes, is een vondst. Haar mengeling van kat en mens maakt haar een even origineel als onweerstaanbaar personage. Ik geloof dat ik verliefd ben op Minoes...
De verlegen journalist Tibbe krijgt een juffrouw inwonen, Minoes, die vroeger kat is geweest en zich nog steeds vaak als kat gedraagt. Zij helpt hem via de "katten-persdienst" aan nieuws. Fantasievol, met schitterende vondsten, geweldige personages (zowel mensen als katten), en een spannend en lief einde. Een heerlijk boek!
bij vierde lezing
En deze klassieker nóg maar 's gelezen. En weer een heerlijk boek, waarvan het eind zo verrekte jammer is dat je het uithebt, zeker als je er maar een paar uur eerder aan was begonnen. Zowel de lieve 'katse' hoofdpersoon als het boek zijn om te zoenen.
bij vijfde lezing
Na het zien van een stukje van de film is de wil weer zeer groot om dit magistrale kinderboek nog eens te lezen. Tibbe en de Jakkepoes en natuurlijk vooral Minoes zelf zijn onvergetelijke karakters en de scenes van een verzopen Minoes met een visgraat, Minoes en de muis en Minoes met de sleuteltjes het keer op keer herlezen meer dan waard.
bij zesde lezing
Hoe vaak kan je een meesterwerk lezen voor het verveelt? Ik lees Minoes voor de vierde keer in acht jaar en het is nog steeds ongekend genieten. Het boek zit barstensvol subtiele humor en nog subtielere maatschappijkritiek en de hoofdrol, Minoes, is een vondst. Haar mengeling van kat en mens maakt haar een even origineel als onweerstaanbaar personage. Ik geloof dat ik verliefd ben op Minoes...
June 13, 2022
5 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover
Lieve, lieve poes minoes of eeee, tja je weet wel.
Quote blz 19/20 :‘Pardon meneer,’ zei ze. ‘Ik zat hier op uw dak met uw kat Fluf. En het rook zo heerlijk. Zodoende ben ik door het dakraam geklommen. Hij zit nog buiten.’
Ze sprak heel keurig en damesachtig. Maar wat was ze nat. Het rode haar viel in pletterige sliertjes om haar hoofd en haar mantelpakje was druipnat en gekreukeld.
En ineens had hij zo’n medelijden met haar. Precies een zielige halfverzopen poes. Een aanloopkat!
Juffrouw Minoes was vroeger poes. Ze spint, krabt, geeft kopjes en houdt nog steeds van vogeltjes. En ook al is ze nu een gewone juffrouw, ze spreekt nog prima ‘kats’. Dat laatste komt Tibbe goed van pas. Via Minoes en haar kattenvrienden hoort hij heel wat verborgen en geheime zaken en daarover schrijft hij in de krant. Maar soms geeft dat ook problemen… Grote problemen… en hoe ze elkaar ontmoette?
Tibbe ontdekt op een dag een juffrouw in een boom. Hij redt haar van een woedende hond.
Een echte klassieker, dit verhaal van Annie M.G. Schmidt. Hoewel misschien een klein beetje verouderd (wie gebruikt tegenwoordig nog het woord ‘juffrouw’ voor een jongedame?), is het boek gewoon tijdloos leuk. En daardoor ook leerzaam want de woordenschat van voorlezer en lezer wordt weer vergroot. Zeker kinderen die van katten houden, zullen enorm genieten van dit boek vol katse kenmerken.
Lieve, lieve poes minoes of eeee, tja je weet wel.
Quote blz 19/20 :‘Pardon meneer,’ zei ze. ‘Ik zat hier op uw dak met uw kat Fluf. En het rook zo heerlijk. Zodoende ben ik door het dakraam geklommen. Hij zit nog buiten.’
Ze sprak heel keurig en damesachtig. Maar wat was ze nat. Het rode haar viel in pletterige sliertjes om haar hoofd en haar mantelpakje was druipnat en gekreukeld.
En ineens had hij zo’n medelijden met haar. Precies een zielige halfverzopen poes. Een aanloopkat!
Juffrouw Minoes was vroeger poes. Ze spint, krabt, geeft kopjes en houdt nog steeds van vogeltjes. En ook al is ze nu een gewone juffrouw, ze spreekt nog prima ‘kats’. Dat laatste komt Tibbe goed van pas. Via Minoes en haar kattenvrienden hoort hij heel wat verborgen en geheime zaken en daarover schrijft hij in de krant. Maar soms geeft dat ook problemen… Grote problemen… en hoe ze elkaar ontmoette?
Tibbe ontdekt op een dag een juffrouw in een boom. Hij redt haar van een woedende hond.
Een echte klassieker, dit verhaal van Annie M.G. Schmidt. Hoewel misschien een klein beetje verouderd (wie gebruikt tegenwoordig nog het woord ‘juffrouw’ voor een jongedame?), is het boek gewoon tijdloos leuk. En daardoor ook leerzaam want de woordenschat van voorlezer en lezer wordt weer vergroot. Zeker kinderen die van katten houden, zullen enorm genieten van dit boek vol katse kenmerken.
July 30, 2015
Wederom een schitterend pareltje van Annie M.G. Schmidt over een poes die een mens word en een reporter die door de tips van de mens geworden kat hele goede artikelen begint te schrijven. Deze reporter woont in en dat geeft een paar hillarische scenes. De dochter des huizes speelt hierin ook een rol. Natuurlijk wordt de reporter verliefd op de mens geworden kat. En heeft dat een toekomst? Lees het zelf in dit leuke boek. Zeker ook een boek om voor te lezen maar natuurlijk kan de jeugd vanaf ik denk 8 jaar het zelf ook lezen.
September 25, 2015
Een poes die een mens wordt. Dat komt uit de fantasie van Annie M.G. Schmidt. Het boek was voor mij jeugdsentiment. Voor mijn kinderen is dat nu. En de film Minoes wordt bij ons ook regelmatig bekeken.
June 13, 2021
Paprasta ir smagi knygutė apie tai, kad su katėmis ir katinais visada verta elgtis gražiai =^.^=
January 19, 2018
First sentence: "Tibble! Where's Tibble? Has anyone seen Tibble? The boss wants to talk to him. Where's he got to? Tibble!"
Premise/plot: Don't mistake Tibble for a cat; he's a very human reporter for a newspaper. If he can keep his job that is. Tibble's news stories don't qualify as "news" according to his boss. But his reporting takes a turn for the better after he befriends a young woman, Miss Minou. He first sees her up a tree. Up a tree?! Yes, she'd been chased there by a mad dog. And that isn't the only odd thing about Minou. She also likes to climb in and out of windows, hang out with cats on the roof, and sleep curled up in a box. The premise of this one: Minou used to be a cat; now she's a human. She can still communicate with cats--hence why Tibble is suddenly good at his job. All the cats in town are talking to Minou about their humans, what they see and hear.
My thoughts: The Cat Who Came In Off the Roof is newly translated into English; it was originally published in Dutch in 1970. This is an odd little fantasy for children. But overall I liked it.
Tibbles meets Minou when she "came in off the roof" and into his window. If Minou were still a cat, it wouldn't be odd that he takes in a stray. He keeps her because she's super useful to him. Not that knowing her is without risk: Minou doesn't make a good impression on most people. For one thing, she rubs herself against people--literally. Tibbles keeps trying to train her to be more human and less cattish.
I think this would make a lovely cartoon special.
Premise/plot: Don't mistake Tibble for a cat; he's a very human reporter for a newspaper. If he can keep his job that is. Tibble's news stories don't qualify as "news" according to his boss. But his reporting takes a turn for the better after he befriends a young woman, Miss Minou. He first sees her up a tree. Up a tree?! Yes, she'd been chased there by a mad dog. And that isn't the only odd thing about Minou. She also likes to climb in and out of windows, hang out with cats on the roof, and sleep curled up in a box. The premise of this one: Minou used to be a cat; now she's a human. She can still communicate with cats--hence why Tibble is suddenly good at his job. All the cats in town are talking to Minou about their humans, what they see and hear.
My thoughts: The Cat Who Came In Off the Roof is newly translated into English; it was originally published in Dutch in 1970. This is an odd little fantasy for children. But overall I liked it.
Tibbles meets Minou when she "came in off the roof" and into his window. If Minou were still a cat, it wouldn't be odd that he takes in a stray. He keeps her because she's super useful to him. Not that knowing her is without risk: Minou doesn't make a good impression on most people. For one thing, she rubs herself against people--literally. Tibbles keeps trying to train her to be more human and less cattish.
I think this would make a lovely cartoon special.
January 10, 2017
First book read in 2017! Not a bad start of the year... Funny story about this book, my boyfriend was vacationing with his family to Paris on the new year's and visited the Shakespeare and Co. bookstore. He thought, Oh, I know my girlfriend loves books, so I'm gonna buy her one. But he knows that I read so much, that he's afraid I will have already read the book he'll choose. So what does he do? He goes to the children's section and buys the book he think I'll love most. And, since he knows I looooove cats, he buys one that has the word cat in the title. What an amazing man.
Anyway, moving on to the book itself. This is a translated children's book about a shy reporter (didn't know those existed) who loves cats, and meets a cat who was turned into a human. The story revolves around his adventures writing articles with the help of the city's cats and his relationship with the cat-turned-human.
It's a fun, light read, I love the cat premise, and although I expected it to suck since it's such a short book with a weird idea, it was executed quite well. The language is fun, the plot is quite predictable and not that hard to follow but still fun to read anyways. Just the perfect read when you're not in the mood to think, and the perfect read for cat lovers.
Anyway, moving on to the book itself. This is a translated children's book about a shy reporter (didn't know those existed) who loves cats, and meets a cat who was turned into a human. The story revolves around his adventures writing articles with the help of the city's cats and his relationship with the cat-turned-human.
It's a fun, light read, I love the cat premise, and although I expected it to suck since it's such a short book with a weird idea, it was executed quite well. The language is fun, the plot is quite predictable and not that hard to follow but still fun to read anyways. Just the perfect read when you're not in the mood to think, and the perfect read for cat lovers.
February 2, 2016
There is something utterly charming about this story and I remember thinking, about a chapter in "this can't be American". It's not. And I think childrens fiction writers should read this and take note: WARNING RANT TO FOLLOW
This is a book about two adults and a network of cats. Too often kit lit assumes that children cannot handle stories about adults or they (the adults) are missing from the story entirely and the children know best about everything, suffer alone, usually prevail only because they are special or chosen in some way, and then the adults return at the end to scratch their heads in amazement that the children are so brilliant.
The story is wonderful. There is a child in the story who is brave and smart and talented, but she is not the main protagonist. Instead, this is a coming of age story for one Mr. Tibble and a story of what it means to have a home for one Miss Minou. Mr. Tibble is a bit of a coward and must learn to overcome that when he sees a situation that requires him to be brave. Some of the adults in this story are terrible, and some are really quite good. What is most reminded me of was the feeling I had while reading 101 Dalmations.
Well done.
This is a book about two adults and a network of cats. Too often kit lit assumes that children cannot handle stories about adults or they (the adults) are missing from the story entirely and the children know best about everything, suffer alone, usually prevail only because they are special or chosen in some way, and then the adults return at the end to scratch their heads in amazement that the children are so brilliant.
The story is wonderful. There is a child in the story who is brave and smart and talented, but she is not the main protagonist. Instead, this is a coming of age story for one Mr. Tibble and a story of what it means to have a home for one Miss Minou. Mr. Tibble is a bit of a coward and must learn to overcome that when he sees a situation that requires him to be brave. Some of the adults in this story are terrible, and some are really quite good. What is most reminded me of was the feeling I had while reading 101 Dalmations.
Well done.
April 14, 2022
This is cute and sweet and adorable. A perfect idea of if a cat became human, this is how she would act. It is a nicely written story that has quirky characters and the soft idea of a plot and tension that makes it an easy read, especially when you are kind of struggling to read books.
December 26, 2022
Minoes is a wonderful story about a cat who becomes a woman but keeps her feline behaviour, causing strange and funny situations. Since she can still talk to cats, her ability helps shy journalist Tibbe to find news to write about, and eventually leads to important events in the town. The story is a joy to read from beginning to end.
The film version with Carice van Houten stays pretty faithful to the book and she is wonderful acting as a cat would.
The film version with Carice van Houten stays pretty faithful to the book and she is wonderful acting as a cat would.
August 13, 2020
The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof is a sweet little "tail" (I couldn't resist the bad pun). The translation in the beginning was a bit stilted but then the writing settled down and I was able to enjoy the story.
October 1, 2023
'Het is een beetje ingewikkeld,' zei Minoes. 'En het is soms erg verwarrend om twee wezens door elkaar te zijn. Half poes en half mens.'
'Ach...' zei de dokter. 'Het is ook erg verwarrend om helemáál mens te zijn.'
'Ach...' zei de dokter. 'Het is ook erg verwarrend om helemáál mens te zijn.'
January 25, 2018
My first dutch. It was fun but I would say I only understood, like, 20 percent? I enjoyed it nevertheless.
November 24, 2023
NEDERLANDS: Dit is de negende keer dat ik dit boek lees, vier keer in het Frans en vijf keer in het Nederlands. Het is een van mijn favoriete boeken over katten.
Tibbe is een verlegen journalist. Hij is bang om met mensen te praten en voelt zich alleen op zijn gemak bij katten. En als hij voor de krant schrijft, schrijft hij het liefst over katten. Maar daar houdt de redacteur van de krant niet van, die nieuws van algemeen belang over mensen eist. Dan komt Minoes in zijn leven, wordt zijn secretaris en organiseert een kattenpersdienst.
FRANÇOIS: C'est la neuvième fois que j'ai lis ce livre, quatre fois en français et cinq en néerlandais. C'est l'un de mes livres sur chats préférés.
Thomas est un journaliste timide. Il a peur de parler aux gens et ne se sent à l'aise qu'avec les chats. Et lorsqu’il écrit pour le journal, il préfère écrire sur les chats. Mais cela ne plaît pas au rédacteur en chef du journal, qui exige des informations d'intérêt général sur l'être humain. Puis Minouche entre dans sa vie, devient son secrétaire et organise un agence de presse des chats.
ENGLISH: This is the ninth time I have read this book, four times in French and five in Dutch. It is one of my favorite books about cats.
Tibble is a shy journalist. He is afraid to talk to people, and he only feels comfortable around cats. And when he writes for the newspaper, he prefers to write about cats. But the editor of the newspaper is against it, and demands news of general interest about human beings. Then Minou enters his life, becomes his secretary and organizes a Cat Press Agency.
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la novena vez que he leído este libro, cuatro veces en francés y cinco en holandés. Es uno de mis libros favoritos sobre gatos.
Tibbe es un periodista tímido. Le da miedo hablar con la gente, y sólo se siente a gusto con los gatos. Y cuando escribe para el periódico, prefiere escribir sobre gatos. Pero eso no le gusta al director del periódico, que le exige noticias de interés general sobre seres humanos. Entonces, Minusa entra en su vida, se convierte en su secretaria y organiza un servicio de prensa de gatos.
Tibbe is een verlegen journalist. Hij is bang om met mensen te praten en voelt zich alleen op zijn gemak bij katten. En als hij voor de krant schrijft, schrijft hij het liefst over katten. Maar daar houdt de redacteur van de krant niet van, die nieuws van algemeen belang over mensen eist. Dan komt Minoes in zijn leven, wordt zijn secretaris en organiseert een kattenpersdienst.
FRANÇOIS: C'est la neuvième fois que j'ai lis ce livre, quatre fois en français et cinq en néerlandais. C'est l'un de mes livres sur chats préférés.
Thomas est un journaliste timide. Il a peur de parler aux gens et ne se sent à l'aise qu'avec les chats. Et lorsqu’il écrit pour le journal, il préfère écrire sur les chats. Mais cela ne plaît pas au rédacteur en chef du journal, qui exige des informations d'intérêt général sur l'être humain. Puis Minouche entre dans sa vie, devient son secrétaire et organise un agence de presse des chats.
ENGLISH: This is the ninth time I have read this book, four times in French and five in Dutch. It is one of my favorite books about cats.
Tibble is a shy journalist. He is afraid to talk to people, and he only feels comfortable around cats. And when he writes for the newspaper, he prefers to write about cats. But the editor of the newspaper is against it, and demands news of general interest about human beings. Then Minou enters his life, becomes his secretary and organizes a Cat Press Agency.
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la novena vez que he leído este libro, cuatro veces en francés y cinco en holandés. Es uno de mis libros favoritos sobre gatos.
Tibbe es un periodista tímido. Le da miedo hablar con la gente, y sólo se siente a gusto con los gatos. Y cuando escribe para el periódico, prefiere escribir sobre gatos. Pero eso no le gusta al director del periódico, que le exige noticias de interés general sobre seres humanos. Entonces, Minusa entra en su vida, se convierte en su secretaria y organiza un servicio de prensa de gatos.
September 4, 2019
This was a pretty good read about a girl named Ms Minou who is really a cat who helps a journalist named Mr Tibble save his job at the newspaper he works at. Want to read more? Be sure to check this book out wherever books are sold.
August 12, 2025
tibbe in mijn hart❤️
July 6, 2020
***3.75 Stars***
This was a really cute and light-hearted read about the beautiful world of cats and humans.
The plot revolves around a writer named Tibble who works at a small newspaper firm. He is shy and is not doing so well in his job because all he writes about are cats. One night he meets a cat-like lady named Minou. She helps him write his stories because she gets the news from all the cats in town, and Tibble discovers all kinds of things in his town.
This is the perfect children's story. It's full of surprises and lessons. The writings style is quite simple and easy to read.
I really enjoyed it because it was so fast paced and never dull. The writing for an adult audience was a bit weak, but once you get over that, it's the cutest little novel you'll ever read.
If you like cats as much as I do, then this is for you.
This was a really cute and light-hearted read about the beautiful world of cats and humans.
The plot revolves around a writer named Tibble who works at a small newspaper firm. He is shy and is not doing so well in his job because all he writes about are cats. One night he meets a cat-like lady named Minou. She helps him write his stories because she gets the news from all the cats in town, and Tibble discovers all kinds of things in his town.
This is the perfect children's story. It's full of surprises and lessons. The writings style is quite simple and easy to read.
I really enjoyed it because it was so fast paced and never dull. The writing for an adult audience was a bit weak, but once you get over that, it's the cutest little novel you'll ever read.
If you like cats as much as I do, then this is for you.
December 8, 2018
I discovered the existence of this book thanks to a bookstore in the train station of where I currently live, of all the books they had displayed in English, this one caught my attention, it had a nice cover so I went to look at it and even read a bit. That "bit" turned out to be around twenty something pages in the end, I was waiting for my fiancé to come with the train and since it was cold I stood there in the bookstore reading away about Miss Minou and Mr. Tibble. I did not buy the book that day though.
Few days later my fiancé surprises me with a random present that he had left in my school backpack when I was not watching. I had told him about the book and how lovely it seemed, but it was rather expensive so I did not buy it, however, he knows I love reading, in his sweetness he gave me this book as a gift.
The book is easy to read and has a fun and original story to tell, without being the most special thing I have ever read, I truly enjoyed it. In the beginning I thought it would not really offer much apart from the daily lives of Mr. Tibble, Miss Minou, all the cats from the town and the town itself, in fact, reading about the rather mundane adventures of all these characters already proved to entertain me. But it does actually develop a more central story, since Mr. Tibble writes news articles in the local newspaper it is maybe natural that at some point some kind of bigger "scoop" is under the making, it was very interesting to see where it was all going to, and how it would develop.
*Spoiler ahead* But I did wonder one thing... Miss Minou was originally a cat, I can imagine that if you are born being a cat, you would want to return to your original state, have quite some struggles as well, humans live so differently than cats. When I saw the hardships that the cat/lady went through I really felt sad for her, she made a marvelous cat, its human form just made her really cute, and helped Tibble quite a lot! Cats know a lot.
The way the author portrays cats is splendid, they are indeed like that! So cold and self sufficient as well as kind and warm. It is so unusual to be able to give voice to a cat, I imagine the cat I used to have would have a similar way of speaking to the ones in the book, not as Miss Minou, but maybe as the Metropole cat.
A lovely, one day, read.
Few days later my fiancé surprises me with a random present that he had left in my school backpack when I was not watching. I had told him about the book and how lovely it seemed, but it was rather expensive so I did not buy it, however, he knows I love reading, in his sweetness he gave me this book as a gift.
The book is easy to read and has a fun and original story to tell, without being the most special thing I have ever read, I truly enjoyed it. In the beginning I thought it would not really offer much apart from the daily lives of Mr. Tibble, Miss Minou, all the cats from the town and the town itself, in fact, reading about the rather mundane adventures of all these characters already proved to entertain me. But it does actually develop a more central story, since Mr. Tibble writes news articles in the local newspaper it is maybe natural that at some point some kind of bigger "scoop" is under the making, it was very interesting to see where it was all going to, and how it would develop.
*Spoiler ahead* But I did wonder one thing... Miss Minou was originally a cat, I can imagine that if you are born being a cat, you would want to return to your original state, have quite some struggles as well, humans live so differently than cats. When I saw the hardships that the cat/lady went through I really felt sad for her, she made a marvelous cat, its human form just made her really cute, and helped Tibble quite a lot! Cats know a lot.
The way the author portrays cats is splendid, they are indeed like that! So cold and self sufficient as well as kind and warm. It is so unusual to be able to give voice to a cat, I imagine the cat I used to have would have a similar way of speaking to the ones in the book, not as Miss Minou, but maybe as the Metropole cat.
A lovely, one day, read.
July 15, 2014
I loved this book for it's warm characters and fairy tale style. I read it because my 11 year-old daughter was enjoying it so much. Here's her review:
I loved this book because it is funny and sweet and not like usual books! Here are five things that made me want to read it even before I opened it:
1) The title is bold and big and bright and colourful and caught my attention
2) The picture on the front is really cool
3) It is a perfect length (not too long not too short) which means I can read it quickly enough to remember what’s happening but not so fast that I am finished too soon.
4) The blurb made me want to read it. My favorite line on it was “catty is not the right word, it’s called cattish.”
5) It’s about a cat and I love cats.
And the book was just as good as I hoped. I loved how Minou was a cat who had transformed into a lady because it gives us the view of what a cat is, in a human’s form. Annie M. G. Schmidt is very clever at showing what makes cats different from humans by showing a human doing these things and having people (and cats) think that is a bit weird. The way Minou does both human things and cat things works really well because it means she can talk to cats to find out news for Mr Tibble and she can also talk to humans. She has human traits and catty traits – or, as she corrects Tibble, ‘cattish traits’.
I loved how Minou slept in a box and she could climb on the roof and up trees. I wanted everything to work out in the end for Minou and Mr Tibble because they were both very nice and I would like to meet them.
Overall I thought this book was awesome, interesting, exhilarating, fun and it make me think harder about what cats are like! I am very grateful to Annie M.G. Schmidt for writing this book and I wish she was still here to write lots more. She deserves all the awards she won and I really want to see the film version of the book and to read some more of her books (as long as they are also translated into English! I might not enjoy them so much if they are not!!).
I loved this book because it is funny and sweet and not like usual books! Here are five things that made me want to read it even before I opened it:
1) The title is bold and big and bright and colourful and caught my attention
2) The picture on the front is really cool
3) It is a perfect length (not too long not too short) which means I can read it quickly enough to remember what’s happening but not so fast that I am finished too soon.
4) The blurb made me want to read it. My favorite line on it was “catty is not the right word, it’s called cattish.”
5) It’s about a cat and I love cats.
And the book was just as good as I hoped. I loved how Minou was a cat who had transformed into a lady because it gives us the view of what a cat is, in a human’s form. Annie M. G. Schmidt is very clever at showing what makes cats different from humans by showing a human doing these things and having people (and cats) think that is a bit weird. The way Minou does both human things and cat things works really well because it means she can talk to cats to find out news for Mr Tibble and she can also talk to humans. She has human traits and catty traits – or, as she corrects Tibble, ‘cattish traits’.
I loved how Minou slept in a box and she could climb on the roof and up trees. I wanted everything to work out in the end for Minou and Mr Tibble because they were both very nice and I would like to meet them.
Overall I thought this book was awesome, interesting, exhilarating, fun and it make me think harder about what cats are like! I am very grateful to Annie M.G. Schmidt for writing this book and I wish she was still here to write lots more. She deserves all the awards she won and I really want to see the film version of the book and to read some more of her books (as long as they are also translated into English! I might not enjoy them so much if they are not!!).
June 22, 2010
Pertama... saya pernah nonton film "Didier", filmnya Alain Chabat di mana dalam semalam seekor anjing yang dititipkan pada seorang pencari bakat olahraga berubah menjadi sesosok pria. Ya, secara dadakan, siluman anjing yang tak bisa bicara bahasa manusia itu pun diajari jadi pemain sepakbola... :p
Kedua... saya membaca I Was A Rat karangan Philip Pullman. Seorang bocah laki2 berkeluyuran mencari rumah manusia yang mau menampungnya dengan masih menyimpan memori sebagai tikus. Bukan tikus sembarang tikus, dia tadinya adalah salah satu tikus yang ditugaskan mendampingi "Cinderella" ke pesta dansa istana.
Ketiga... kini ada Juffrow Minoes, cewek Belanda. Dia bingung, sebagai kucing rumahan berbulu oranye, kok dia bisa berubah jadi gadis muda? Gayanya rapi, tuturannya santun, tapi lebih senang tidur meringkuk di kardus, kabur memanjat pohon setiap dikejar anjing, dan mupeng berat tiap ada godaan murai berkicau. Tapi Minoes punya jasa besar bersama kucing2 di kota (favorit saya si Kucing Sekolah yang sotoy karena demen nongkrong di jendela kelas saat pelajaran sejarah!)... menyelamatkan karir Tibbe sang jurnalis dan menyelamatkan kota dari ancaman kapitalis rakus yang menyebalkan.
Cerita2 seperti ini mungkin moral ceritanya adalah: "kacang tuh tidak boleh lupa akan kulitnya, tapi kalau kacang sudah dilepas dari kulit, berjuanglah untuk menjadi kacang terbaik" :D
Kedua... saya membaca I Was A Rat karangan Philip Pullman. Seorang bocah laki2 berkeluyuran mencari rumah manusia yang mau menampungnya dengan masih menyimpan memori sebagai tikus. Bukan tikus sembarang tikus, dia tadinya adalah salah satu tikus yang ditugaskan mendampingi "Cinderella" ke pesta dansa istana.
Ketiga... kini ada Juffrow Minoes, cewek Belanda. Dia bingung, sebagai kucing rumahan berbulu oranye, kok dia bisa berubah jadi gadis muda? Gayanya rapi, tuturannya santun, tapi lebih senang tidur meringkuk di kardus, kabur memanjat pohon setiap dikejar anjing, dan mupeng berat tiap ada godaan murai berkicau. Tapi Minoes punya jasa besar bersama kucing2 di kota (favorit saya si Kucing Sekolah yang sotoy karena demen nongkrong di jendela kelas saat pelajaran sejarah!)... menyelamatkan karir Tibbe sang jurnalis dan menyelamatkan kota dari ancaman kapitalis rakus yang menyebalkan.
Cerita2 seperti ini mungkin moral ceritanya adalah: "kacang tuh tidak boleh lupa akan kulitnya, tapi kalau kacang sudah dilepas dari kulit, berjuanglah untuk menjadi kacang terbaik" :D
September 2, 2016
This wonderful tale about a cat turned human is one of mutual friendship, caring, and kindness. Miss Minou, formerly cat, now human, still has a healthy fear of dogs, and finds herself up a tree. Mr. Tibble, reporter, helps her down, and thus begins an enduring and endearing friendship. Minou helps Tibble gather news stories so he can keep his job as a reporter, and in turn Tibble gives Minou a place to stay while she adapts – sort of – to being human. There is a bad man in this village, and the cats know it, even if the villagers are fooled by his acts of kindness. Though now human, Miss Minou can still converse with cats, and Mr. Tibble is only too glad to listen to what Minou has to say. But can they expose the bad man in time to save Tibble’s job and a mother cat’s kittens? This wonderful story is sure to enchant young and old alike, and the audio version, performed by Katherine Kellgren, is pure delight.
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