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The Cat Club
The Hotel Cat
One wintry day a lonely stray cat wandered into the Royal Hotel. He chased mice so well that he was given the job of Hotel Cat. Tired of always spending time in the cellar Tom ventured upstairs and met the gentle Mrs. Wilkins, a longtime hotel resident who had the ability to communicate with cats. She encouraged Tom to keep an open mind about the hotel guests.
One night, during the winter of New York City's Big Freeze, Tom detected three cats in one of the rooms. It turned out that due to a boiler breakdown in his house, Captain Tinker had brought Jenny Linsky and her brothers Edward and Checkers to stay at the hotel until the boiler was fixed. Other homes experienced boiler breakdowns too and soon other members of the Cat Club could be found staying in rooms at the Royal Hotel. Before long, plans were underway for the Cat Club Stardust Ball, with the help of Tom, who had proved himself helpful and considerate after all. Soon he became a "friend for ever" of Jenny and her pals.
One night, during the winter of New York City's Big Freeze, Tom detected three cats in one of the rooms. It turned out that due to a boiler breakdown in his house, Captain Tinker had brought Jenny Linsky and her brothers Edward and Checkers to stay at the hotel until the boiler was fixed. Other homes experienced boiler breakdowns too and soon other members of the Cat Club could be found staying in rooms at the Royal Hotel. Before long, plans were underway for the Cat Club Stardust Ball, with the help of Tom, who had proved himself helpful and considerate after all. Soon he became a "friend for ever" of Jenny and her pals.
161 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
5 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Esther Averill
27 books53 followersEsther Averill (1902-1992) began her career as a storyteller drawing cartoons for her local newspaper. After graduating from Vassar College in 1923, she moved first to New York City and then to Paris, where she founded her own publishing company. The Domino Press introduced American readers to artists from all over the world, including Feodor Rojankovsky, who later won a Caldecott Award. In 1941, Esther Averill returned to the United States and found a job in the New York Public Library while continuing her work as a publisher. She wrote her first book about the red-scarfed, mild-mannered cat Jenny Linsky in 1944, modeling its heroine on her own shy cat. Esther Averill would eventually write twelve more tales about Miss Linsky and her friends (including the I Can Read Book, The Fire Cat), each of which was eagerly awaited by children all over the United States (and their parents, too).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 5, 2016
This is one of Averill’s popular Cat Club books and was one of my daughter’s favorites growing up. So I decided to give it a re-read for old time’s sake. My daughter loaned me her 20 year old copy telling me to “be careful, mom…it’s a very old special book.” So I gingerly made my way through the sweet story of how Tom finds a home in the Royal Hotel in NYC and becomes the official Hotel Cat. He decides that his night job at the hotel is to make all the other visiting cats feel at home during their stay. He meets Jenny and the other members of the cat club and discovers the importance of community and friendship. The Stardust Ball in the ballroom of the hotel is the crowning glory of the story as all the cat's spend the evening dancing the hornpipe together. This is truly a magical book!
April 10, 2022
Another worthy entry in this delightful series.
September 15, 2021
I enjoyed when the Cat Club had a meeting called the Stardust Ball. Pickles is an honorary member of the Cat Club.
February 20, 2014
This is the last book in the Jenny's Cat Club series.
There are a few children's books that I think are a real treasure and privilege to own. The Jenny Linsky series are some of those books. Although not as well known as Peter Rabbit or Winnie the Pooh, Jenny Linsky and her cat club friends rank as highly as these characters In my opinion.
There are a few children's books that I think are a real treasure and privilege to own. The Jenny Linsky series are some of those books. Although not as well known as Peter Rabbit or Winnie the Pooh, Jenny Linsky and her cat club friends rank as highly as these characters In my opinion.
October 29, 2013
This was another cute read-a-loud. My kids were very happy to listen to another story with all their favorite cats from Jenny and the Cat Club and to meet a new cat character.
I think I enjoyed Jenny and the Cat Club more than this one but it was still a fun book to read.
I think I enjoyed Jenny and the Cat Club more than this one but it was still a fun book to read.
July 16, 2014
I like that the cats don't behave exactly like humans, although they do a little bit.
May 6, 2019
Easy was the life that seemed to lie ahead of Tom down in the cellar of the Royal Hotel... But nights were his own --and he was young.
Few human beings had been kind to him. Mr. Fred was the great exception, but Tom felt sure there would never be another Mr. Fred.
Tom hated all that he had ever seen of pet cats. Back in the days when he was a hungry kitten living on the streets, he had climbed fire escapes and looked through windows. And often he had watched those darlings turn up their noses at platters of fine food and go off and scratch some furniture. Pet cats, he believed, did nothing but behave badly.
Then the grey and white Hotel Cat and the tiger guest touched noses, as a sign of friendship.
"...But nothing delights me more than the faces of happy cats..."
"I am sure that wherever they go, they will try to keep in touch with you." "How can they?" he asked. Mrs. Wilkins answered, "Maybe their master, Captain Tinker, will help them. But, of course, a lot depends on you." "What can I do?" demanded Tom. "Ah, my dear," said Mrs. Wilkins, "you have made great steps forward in your hotel work and gathered power into your paws. Use your power wisely in your work and with your friends, and in the end it may help all of you to become friends forever."
"On the honor of our paws 'n claws. And if we break a promise, chop them off."
"Oh, woe is me! What shall I do?" "My dear, continue to do the best you can, and it may end in something pleasant for everyone to remember."
The Ship's Cat answered, "I promise on the honor of my sailor's cap." And he lowered his head so that all might see teh thatch of grey fur which grew between his ears. "I promise on the honor of this paw of mine which writes my poems," said Edward. "I promise on the honor of my tongue which asks so many questions," said Checkers. "I promise on the honor of the bright red scarf my master kit for me," said Jenny. ... "OK, I'll come," said Tom. "I promise on the honor of my white shirt front."
"...Madame Butterfly, who brought along her nose flute. She told me the flute was still packed away in her traveling kit. I hope it stays there." Checkers laughed and said to Tom, "But if some night you hear a toot, you'll know it comes from the flute of the Club's most beautiful member." "I hope I hear no toots," declared Tom.
"Scratch me. I must be dreaming," said Sinbad to The Duke.
For among the members of the Cat Club -- all friends forever -- nothing ever really ends.
Few human beings had been kind to him. Mr. Fred was the great exception, but Tom felt sure there would never be another Mr. Fred.
Tom hated all that he had ever seen of pet cats. Back in the days when he was a hungry kitten living on the streets, he had climbed fire escapes and looked through windows. And often he had watched those darlings turn up their noses at platters of fine food and go off and scratch some furniture. Pet cats, he believed, did nothing but behave badly.
Then the grey and white Hotel Cat and the tiger guest touched noses, as a sign of friendship.
"...But nothing delights me more than the faces of happy cats..."
"I am sure that wherever they go, they will try to keep in touch with you." "How can they?" he asked. Mrs. Wilkins answered, "Maybe their master, Captain Tinker, will help them. But, of course, a lot depends on you." "What can I do?" demanded Tom. "Ah, my dear," said Mrs. Wilkins, "you have made great steps forward in your hotel work and gathered power into your paws. Use your power wisely in your work and with your friends, and in the end it may help all of you to become friends forever."
"On the honor of our paws 'n claws. And if we break a promise, chop them off."
"Oh, woe is me! What shall I do?" "My dear, continue to do the best you can, and it may end in something pleasant for everyone to remember."
The Ship's Cat answered, "I promise on the honor of my sailor's cap." And he lowered his head so that all might see teh thatch of grey fur which grew between his ears. "I promise on the honor of this paw of mine which writes my poems," said Edward. "I promise on the honor of my tongue which asks so many questions," said Checkers. "I promise on the honor of the bright red scarf my master kit for me," said Jenny. ... "OK, I'll come," said Tom. "I promise on the honor of my white shirt front."
"...Madame Butterfly, who brought along her nose flute. She told me the flute was still packed away in her traveling kit. I hope it stays there." Checkers laughed and said to Tom, "But if some night you hear a toot, you'll know it comes from the flute of the Club's most beautiful member." "I hope I hear no toots," declared Tom.
"Scratch me. I must be dreaming," said Sinbad to The Duke.
For among the members of the Cat Club -- all friends forever -- nothing ever really ends.
December 18, 2022
So this was the second book in the Jenny the Cat series that I read. I had picked up three of them from my library and truthfully I was unsure which order they went in... I sort of think now that I should have read "Jenny Goes to Sea" before this one ... But in the end I don't think it matters.
Of the three I read, this one was my least favorite. I actually stopped reading it for awhile but then I did finish it. Something about this one was different... The tone was different and it was much more wordy! It also was more "fussy" in this weird way that was sort of turning me off?
One huge difference is that Jenny is not the main character. Another cat, Tom is. Tom is a very serious matter-of-fact cat. He likes things to follow rules. And I think (even though I am often that way myself) it was actually turning me off from the story.
I think the plot was also dragging?
Tom is running around the hotel and checking up on cats, but at the same time somehow not much is actually going on? And so my interest started to wonder...but I did finish this a few days later.
And I have to admit, I do have another problem with this book. Its with the thing that happens at the end. I realize that it is a kid's book and all, but I just find it hard to believe that a hotel would actually allow this sort of thing to happen? Its about the Stardust Winter Ball (which is mentioned on the back of the book so no spoiler here). I suppose kids would never think this way. Maybe as an adult its harder for me to suspend my belief but then it may also have to do with Tom being such a very logical rule following cat!
The artwork is cute but I do think there is less of it in this book...
Of the three I read, this one was my least favorite. I actually stopped reading it for awhile but then I did finish it. Something about this one was different... The tone was different and it was much more wordy! It also was more "fussy" in this weird way that was sort of turning me off?
One huge difference is that Jenny is not the main character. Another cat, Tom is. Tom is a very serious matter-of-fact cat. He likes things to follow rules. And I think (even though I am often that way myself) it was actually turning me off from the story.
I think the plot was also dragging?
Tom is running around the hotel and checking up on cats, but at the same time somehow not much is actually going on? And so my interest started to wonder...but I did finish this a few days later.
And I have to admit, I do have another problem with this book. Its with the thing that happens at the end. I realize that it is a kid's book and all, but I just find it hard to believe that a hotel would actually allow this sort of thing to happen? Its about the Stardust Winter Ball (which is mentioned on the back of the book so no spoiler here). I suppose kids would never think this way. Maybe as an adult its harder for me to suspend my belief but then it may also have to do with Tom being such a very logical rule following cat!
The artwork is cute but I do think there is less of it in this book...
July 8, 2017
There were a number of excellent children's books that were published in 1969 (the same year I made my debut in the world). Excellent books that I somehow managed to miss out on when I was growing up--like The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Sylvester & the Magic Pebble by William Steig. I didn't read either of these until I had my son and we discovered these stories at the library. The Hotel Cat by Esther Averill is another children's book that I never heard of until I went searching for more 1969 books for the Birth Year Reading Challenge. It gives us the story of a stray cat who makes his way to the Royal Hotel cellar. Mr. Fred, the Furnace Man, takes him in, gives him a good meal and, after the young cat proves himself a worker by taking care of the rats and mice in the cellar, offers him a home and a name--Tom.
Soon, Tom has the rodent population under control and he ventures upstairs to see if there might be work for him there as well. He meets Mrs. Wilkins, a long-time resident of the hotel who has a gift for talking with cats, and she helps him discover the true work of Hotel Cat--to welcome any guests, including the numerous cats whose owners seek shelter in Big Freeze. Tom isn't sure about sharing his territory with so many other cats, but he learns lessons in friendship as well as being a good host and in the end he finds himself welcomed to the Cat Club and helping to host an unforgettable Stardust Winter Ball.
This is a lovely classic book with good lessons about friendship and responsibility. It features a delightful story and fun illustrations (also by Esther Averill). I wish I had discovered this story (and the other Cat Club books) when I was young--or at least when my son was small. But it was an enjoyable read for this adult--and I nearly finished it on my birthday!
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Soon, Tom has the rodent population under control and he ventures upstairs to see if there might be work for him there as well. He meets Mrs. Wilkins, a long-time resident of the hotel who has a gift for talking with cats, and she helps him discover the true work of Hotel Cat--to welcome any guests, including the numerous cats whose owners seek shelter in Big Freeze. Tom isn't sure about sharing his territory with so many other cats, but he learns lessons in friendship as well as being a good host and in the end he finds himself welcomed to the Cat Club and helping to host an unforgettable Stardust Winter Ball.
This is a lovely classic book with good lessons about friendship and responsibility. It features a delightful story and fun illustrations (also by Esther Averill). I wish I had discovered this story (and the other Cat Club books) when I was young--or at least when my son was small. But it was an enjoyable read for this adult--and I nearly finished it on my birthday!
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
February 23, 2022
Who knew? Esther Averill, author of The Fire Cat wrote a whole series of cat books, with her own inimitable illustrations. I had to order this one from Amazon because it wasn’t available in any of the library systems. It centers around Tom, a street cat, who takes up residence in the Royal Hotel where he chases mice. Soon New York City is under a freeze, and many other cats show up, because the boilers in their homes have burst. Most are members of Jenny’s Cat Club, so they all know each other. They organize a Cat Club Stardust Ball, which convenes at Midnight in the grand ballroom of the hotel. All the cats dance the Sailors’ Hornpipe, including Pickles, the Fire Cat. Totally charming!
June 7, 2017
This is another winner in the Jenny's Cat Club series. The stories are charmingly old-fashioned, but it is the author's own illustrations that make it extra special. I love the New York Review Children's Collection edition, with its quality pages, and it would make a great gift, I think.
I also noted that the dedication of the book is to "Ursula Nordstrom, our friend and sponsor from the loving Cat Club", which I thought was interesting.
First Line: "The Royal Hotel stood eight stories high, but the towering skyscrapers that had sprung up all around it made it look like what it was: the oldest hotel in New York City."
I also noted that the dedication of the book is to "Ursula Nordstrom, our friend and sponsor from the loving Cat Club", which I thought was interesting.
First Line: "The Royal Hotel stood eight stories high, but the towering skyscrapers that had sprung up all around it made it look like what it was: the oldest hotel in New York City."
May 16, 2018
If you are a cat lover this is a fun book for you to add to your collection!
I'm not exactly sure when this is set, but the woman who speaks and understands cat wears long skirts. And I don't mean the maxi skirts we wear now; hers rustle like taffeta or silk or other fabrics from the turn of the century.
Anyway, Tom is a rescue who earns his keep at The Royal Hotel. First, his work is in the basement. Then his curiosity gets him to explore the upstairs where he meets the lady. Adventures ensue from there. Not the grandiose adventures of a fantasy adventure, but adventures in learning new things and meeting new "people."
I loved this story! I'm glad i picked it up.
I'm not exactly sure when this is set, but the woman who speaks and understands cat wears long skirts. And I don't mean the maxi skirts we wear now; hers rustle like taffeta or silk or other fabrics from the turn of the century.
Anyway, Tom is a rescue who earns his keep at The Royal Hotel. First, his work is in the basement. Then his curiosity gets him to explore the upstairs where he meets the lady. Adventures ensue from there. Not the grandiose adventures of a fantasy adventure, but adventures in learning new things and meeting new "people."
I loved this story! I'm glad i picked it up.
January 27, 2019
I picked this book up in a burst of nostalgia. A magical combination - an old hotel that was already old in the sixties, a hard-working cat who befriends an old lady in Victorian garb who speaks cat and prowls the halls at midnight, cats with a variety of professions from ruffians to ships' cats, catnip, a hornpipe. Hard work, friendship and belonging. The world was simpler in the 60's. A lovely story with whimsical illustrations.
October 15, 2020
The story of a stray cat taken in by the maintenance man who lives in the basement of an old hotel. The cat takes it upon himself to walk the halls at night to make sure all of the pet guests are in their rooms, happy, and behaving themselves. During a cold winter storm, many townspeople come to stay at the hotel. The hotel cat makes friends with all of the town cats and is chosen to join their secret club. The cats have a big ballroom dance at the hotel. Cute book!
August 8, 2021
This classic fantasy story is about Tom the Hotel Cat. He meets the members of a Cat Club when they stay at his hotel during to a deep freeze that has burst all their boilers. The concept is charming, and the cats retain their “catness” even as they talk, dance, and have other adventures. Although this is a classic, I didn’t notice any outdated ideas about society etc. I would feel very comfortable suggesting this to any reader who wants a gentle animal story, particularly fans of E.B. White.
December 21, 2022
A tame book about a lonely cat who becomes the hotel's cat on duty. He befriends a club of cats and plans a ball for them.
I'd recommend this for advanced young readers who like happy stories without suspense. It'd also work as a read-aloud to younger children.
I'd recommend this for advanced young readers who like happy stories without suspense. It'd also work as a read-aloud to younger children.
November 6, 2024
I don't know, there's just something nice about a cat that just wants to do his work, and learns to be more tolerant and feels like an outsider and then it turns out everyone wants him as part of their group and everything is wonderful. I like gentle in a story.
August 18, 2017
A charming book for kids. My great-nephew loves the Jenny's Cat Club books, and I'm addicted now!
August 2, 2018
There just isn't much to this book. What little conflict arises is incredibly tame, there is little cat-like behavior to be found among the cat characters, and it's just...bland.
January 5, 2020
God I love these books so much.
January 28, 2021
We love Jenny Linsky! We had to borrow all the Esther Averill books after reading "Jenny and the Cat Club." This is another great Jenny story :)
December 30, 2021
A real delight and certainly a treasure.
Charming story of how Tom becomes the Hotel Cat. The illustrations are wonderful.
Charming story of how Tom becomes the Hotel Cat. The illustrations are wonderful.
Read
June 23, 2022I love these books
October 29, 2022
Completely charming!
March 27, 2023
Very fun read aloud with my daughter!
January 12, 2024
A very old fashioned book which doesn't take away from the delightful story of a group of cats that meet up in a hotel during a cold spell. Completely charming.
Read
May 25, 2024A cute book for the cat enthusiasts in your life. Honestly- not much happens, but such is the life of a cat.
March 15, 2008
Hotel Cat is the last of the "Cat Club" series by Esther Averill. I would like to read more in the series after having so enjoyed Hotel Cat but my library doesn't seem to have any more in the series. When I clear my current back log of "to be read" books I might treat myself to more of these books.
Hotel Cat is told from the point of view of Tom, a stray who is befriended at the start of a winter of the "burst boilers" by the maintenance man at an old fashioned hotel in a big city (Manhattan, perhaps?). The hotel is falling on hard times, its glory as a host to royalty and celebrities long since faded as newer and taller hotels have gone up around it. To Tom, the cat off the street, it is a marvelous and magical place. He takes his new job as a ratter (in the basement) and greeter of the guests (upstairs) very seriously.
As winter progresses Tom to his consternation has to share his beloved hotel with a host of cats all chased into the hotel as the boilers have burst in the nearby apartments. The first two are stray cats but Tom knowing his own recent misfortune lets them into his basement home. Upstairs though, problems are brewing with rooms and rooms of nervous cats locked up while their owners are displaced.
Through Tom's interaction with these different cats and a strange woman he meets every night on the stairs at midnight we learn both about the Cat Club (fans of the series will recognize all the characters who are guests in the hotel) and about the history of the hotel. Reluctantly Tom helps bring the Cat Club members together which in turn gives the hotel one last chance to shine.
Peppered throughout this delightful book are illustrations by the author. She captures the personality of all her cat characters and brings them to life. I especially like the cover illustration of all the cats gathered together.
The entire list of the Cat Club books are as follows:
* The Cat Club, 1944
* The School For Cats, 1947
* Jenny's First Party, 1948
* Jenny's Moonlight Adventure, 1949
* When Jenny Lost Her Scarf, 1951
* Jenny's Adopted Brothers, 1952
* How the Brothers Joined the Cat Club, 1953
* Jenny's Birthday Book, 1954
* Jenny Goes to Sea, 1957
* Jenny's Bedside Book, 1959
* The Fire Cat, 1960
* The Hotel Cat, 1969
Hotel Cat is told from the point of view of Tom, a stray who is befriended at the start of a winter of the "burst boilers" by the maintenance man at an old fashioned hotel in a big city (Manhattan, perhaps?). The hotel is falling on hard times, its glory as a host to royalty and celebrities long since faded as newer and taller hotels have gone up around it. To Tom, the cat off the street, it is a marvelous and magical place. He takes his new job as a ratter (in the basement) and greeter of the guests (upstairs) very seriously.
As winter progresses Tom to his consternation has to share his beloved hotel with a host of cats all chased into the hotel as the boilers have burst in the nearby apartments. The first two are stray cats but Tom knowing his own recent misfortune lets them into his basement home. Upstairs though, problems are brewing with rooms and rooms of nervous cats locked up while their owners are displaced.
Through Tom's interaction with these different cats and a strange woman he meets every night on the stairs at midnight we learn both about the Cat Club (fans of the series will recognize all the characters who are guests in the hotel) and about the history of the hotel. Reluctantly Tom helps bring the Cat Club members together which in turn gives the hotel one last chance to shine.
Peppered throughout this delightful book are illustrations by the author. She captures the personality of all her cat characters and brings them to life. I especially like the cover illustration of all the cats gathered together.
The entire list of the Cat Club books are as follows:
* The Cat Club, 1944
* The School For Cats, 1947
* Jenny's First Party, 1948
* Jenny's Moonlight Adventure, 1949
* When Jenny Lost Her Scarf, 1951
* Jenny's Adopted Brothers, 1952
* How the Brothers Joined the Cat Club, 1953
* Jenny's Birthday Book, 1954
* Jenny Goes to Sea, 1957
* Jenny's Bedside Book, 1959
* The Fire Cat, 1960
* The Hotel Cat, 1969
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2014
The Hotel Cat is an enjoyable children's novel by Esther Averill. It was originally published in 1969.
The Hotel Cat stars a cat named Tom. He lives at the Royal Hotel, an eight-story building in New York. It is on the older side. And the hotel isn't doing the best business. But all that happens to change during the novel. Tom who is used to having the place to himself, for the most part, at least in terms of CATS ON THE PLACE discovers that there are cats there with their owners. The first few cats he meets he is rude, very rude. But after Tom's owner, Mrs. Wilkins, talks to him, he decides to be more gracious and welcoming. It isn't long before he meets three cats: Jenny, Edward, and Checkers. And those aren't the only cats from the cat club he happens to meet. A difficult winter has resulted in a lot of broken boilers and frustrated cat-owning homeowners are staying at the Royal Hotel. How convenient!
Tom learns a lot about making and keeping friends in The Hotel Cat.
I liked this one.
The Hotel Cat stars a cat named Tom. He lives at the Royal Hotel, an eight-story building in New York. It is on the older side. And the hotel isn't doing the best business. But all that happens to change during the novel. Tom who is used to having the place to himself, for the most part, at least in terms of CATS ON THE PLACE discovers that there are cats there with their owners. The first few cats he meets he is rude, very rude. But after Tom's owner, Mrs. Wilkins, talks to him, he decides to be more gracious and welcoming. It isn't long before he meets three cats: Jenny, Edward, and Checkers. And those aren't the only cats from the cat club he happens to meet. A difficult winter has resulted in a lot of broken boilers and frustrated cat-owning homeowners are staying at the Royal Hotel. How convenient!
Tom learns a lot about making and keeping friends in The Hotel Cat.
I liked this one.
July 1, 2016
I don't know how I missed this series back in the day when I was reading to my kids. Now I want to read them all. I loved the old fashioned look of the physical book and the dusty bygone era feel of the story. Tom is grateful to be taken in off the streets as the Hotel Cat (mouser) in the basement of the formerly glorious Royal Hotel. But when curiosity sends him poking around upstairs he meets the elderly, and dignified Mrs. Wilkens, a long time resident of the hotel, who gently teaches him to be a friendly and competent hotel concierge which opens whole new worlds to him. A little bit of magical realism and a lots of fun make this a lovely story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews