Mustard

by Charlotte Towner Graeber

Alex has trouble accepting the fact that Mustard, the family's fourteen-year-old cat, is getting old, and soon may die.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Cats, Childrens

64 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1982

Reviews

[Abigail McClead]

It stole me tears from me eyes

[Brenda Wharton]

The story of Alex and his family and their cat Mustard. The cat gets sick and is out to sleep. Left my 7 year old crying at night and worrying about his family members dying. Not a good one to read at bedtime

[Matthew]

I think I've started about a dozen books in the last month, but haven't gotten through many of them for whatever reason. So, when this happens I reach for a children's book to kind of feel like I accomplished something by finishing it. I found this in a stack of to-be-shelved books at a used bookstore. Mustard by Charlotte Graeber, with illustrations by Donna Diamond, was first published in 1982.

This is a very beautiful, but very sad story. Eight-year-old Alex has always had Mustard, his cat, with him, even before he was born. But Mustard is getting old and when the cat suffers a heart attack, the family must come to terms with the situation.

It's a hard book to read and probably not something you want to read to your kids before bedtime unless you want to psychologically destroy them. But it is a great book that deals with pets and growing older and facing death with animals who we consider members of the family. this version is beautifully illustrated by Donna Diamond, whose most famous illustrations are in the modern classic Bridge to Terabithia.

[Katie]

I read this as a young girl and oh it really takes the reader away to a far off place. lovely.

[Elizabeth Thorlton]

I remember reading this as a kid. I can still distinctly see myself curled up in a chair in my childhood Home’s office/playroom sobbing.

[Dancer]

Great book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Toryn]

Short and sweet; a sad story about an old cat and his loving owner.

[Leslie]

Awesome story! I'm crying my eyes out, but I'll be fine.

[Aim]

Not for tender-hearted students.

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

One of the best books EVER about a family/child coming to grips with the death of a pet. Too bad it's out of print.

[Kat (Lost in Neverland)]

So sad, sweet, and heartbreaking at the same time. Adorable pictures.