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Gobbolino #1
Gobbolino The Witch's Cat
This is an alternate cover edition: 9780140302394
A tale of a cat born a witch's cat but who would much rather be a kitchen cat.
A tale of a cat born a witch's cat but who would much rather be a kitchen cat.
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1942
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1171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
October 21, 2022
Awww. I just wanna gobble Gobbolino up! I love cats, I adore cats and no matter how simple this book is, I just couldn't help falling in love with Gobbolino. I want one! Albeit he is a witch's cat, it don't matter to me.
We could all relate to Gobbolino's story. Sometimes, we feel that we don't belong--that there is something more out there for us and I admire Gobbolino's desire to break away from what's expected of him. To be his own self, to find his own happiness.
For Gobbolino, finding a forever home is his dream and purpose. While reading this, I thought about all the stray cats in the world, all the abandoned ones, the unwanted, the discarded furry creatures and I wished with all my heart that they find a place to settle, to curl in, by the fire with a warm milk or a blanket to comfort them, a loving family to love them forever. Because we all want to be loved. To belong.
We could all relate to Gobbolino's story. Sometimes, we feel that we don't belong--that there is something more out there for us and I admire Gobbolino's desire to break away from what's expected of him. To be his own self, to find his own happiness.
For Gobbolino, finding a forever home is his dream and purpose. While reading this, I thought about all the stray cats in the world, all the abandoned ones, the unwanted, the discarded furry creatures and I wished with all my heart that they find a place to settle, to curl in, by the fire with a warm milk or a blanket to comfort them, a loving family to love them forever. Because we all want to be loved. To belong.
January 25, 2011
I love this story of a little cat who, though born to a witch's cat, just isn't cut out to be a witch's cat like his mother and sister. All he wants is to be a kitchen cat, but Gobbolino has many adventures in his journey before he finds the place where he belongs. I like the circular nature of the tale, as Gobbolino begins his journey with the river and ends at the river. The illustrations by Paul Howard are soft pencil sketches, giving the tale an old-fashioned quality that suits it very well. I wanted to reach into the pictures and pet Gobbolino myself! I read this one aloud to my cats, who all sat on the bed with me, rapt with attention, and, in the end, gave it a unanimous paws up. I must get a copy of this for my collection. Highly recommended!
July 16, 2020
Deși Gobbolino a fost adorabil, printre cele mai simpatice pisici din cărți despre care am citite, nu prea am fost de acord cu finalul. Să nu vă îngrijorați, Gobbolino va fi bine, doar că (sper că nu se consideră spoiler când este vorba despre o carte pentru copii, nu?) rămâne la o familie care îl crede un pisoi normal, iar asta dă peste cap întreaga morală a poveștii. Aș fi vrut să fi găsit pe cineva care știe cine este el cu adevărat și îl acceptă așa, asta merita. Romanul acesta nu e doar despre un pisoi amărât, ci e și un pretext de a vorbi despre fiecare copil sau chiar adult care încearcă să se integreze undeva și să se facă plăcut. Dar să vă zic ce am învățat eu după mai bine de două decenii de când sunt nesuferită și sarcastică: când un om te vede așa cum ești și te iubește, nu o să conteze că scoți scântei din mustăți ca Gobbolino sau că faci deseori glume răutăcioase, deși nu cu răutate, ca mine. Să te schimbi pentru cineva înseamnă că acea persoană nu te va iubi pe tine, ci rolul pe care îl joci. Persoana care te iubește cu adevărat este cea care te acceptă așa cum ești, și nu ,,oricum ești", de parcă ți-ar face o favoare și ar fi un efort. Acea persoană îți va da lăptic încălzit, dacă ești ca Gobbolino, sau te va asculta mereu când ai nevoie, dacă ai doar două labe. De aceea m-a dezamăgit finalul, dar per total e o poveste tare drăgălașă, potrivită atât pentru copii, cât și pentru adulți. Nu știu cum ar putea cineva să nu-l placă pe Gobbolino. Recenzia aici: https://bit.ly/2WrIzwt.
,,Orice pisică fără casă se simte foarte părăsită, iar cum mergea el așa, lui Gobbolino i se făcu dor de focul viu din camera copiilor, de trăncănelile zgomotoase ale frățiorilor, de chicotitul bebelușului, de forfota din orfelinat, de culcușul din bucătăria fermei și chiar de peștera mohorâtă în care se născuse. Era al nimănui și nu avea pe nimeni pe lume.''
,,Orice pisică fără casă se simte foarte părăsită, iar cum mergea el așa, lui Gobbolino i se făcu dor de focul viu din camera copiilor, de trăncănelile zgomotoase ale frățiorilor, de chicotitul bebelușului, de forfota din orfelinat, de culcușul din bucătăria fermei și chiar de peștera mohorâtă în care se născuse. Era al nimănui și nu avea pe nimeni pe lume.''
October 29, 2018
This book has a bright orange cover that caught my eye and was about a cat with the most amazing name. So I bought it and started to read it in the evenings during my London holiday.
Gobbolino is such a cute little thing that every setback in his adventure to find a kitchen was really sad and you wished him all the best. I am sure I would read this story again some time. Mainly because it is easy, short and funny.
Gobbolino is such a cute little thing that every setback in his adventure to find a kitchen was really sad and you wished him all the best. I am sure I would read this story again some time. Mainly because it is easy, short and funny.
May 9, 2020
Gobbolino este un pisoi de vrăjitoare, ceea ce îl face special, simpatic, cu trăsături neobișnuite și cu ceva arsenal de vrăji minore. Alungat însă, pentru că nu seamănă cu ceilalți (are o lăbuță albă), tânjește după un cămin fericit, după mângâieri și compania oamenilor. Călătoria lui este, în mare parte, tristă, sfâșâietoare și plină de învățăminte. Dar există și speranță, pentru că întâlnește mereu suflete inocente și bune.
O carte despre depășirea obstacolelor existente în împlinirea dorințelor, un volum pentru iubitorii de pisici de toate vârstele.
O carte despre depășirea obstacolelor existente în împlinirea dorințelor, un volum pentru iubitorii de pisici de toate vârstele.
March 6, 2022
Lots of nostalgia with this one, read as a child myself, and to my son over twenty years ago, and now to my daughter. So delightfully old-fashioned, but still enjoyable.
February 9, 2018
הספר הזה הוא ברובו חמוד מאוד ואפילו נוגע ללב, ונראה שהוא מדבר על נושא של שונות ו"האחר הוא אני" וכל זה, אבל אז מגיעים לסוף שיש לו מסר ממש ממש בעייתי בעיניי, מסר הפוך לחלוטין למה שאמור להיות הנושא המרכזי של הספר (לא ארחיב כדי לא לעשות ספויילר).
זה ממש אירוני בעיניי שהספר הוא חלק ממצעד הספרים של משרד החינוך (הבן שלי קורא אותו במסגרת יומן קריאה שהוא צריך לעשות). אומר משהו על מערכת החינוך שלנו.
זה ממש אירוני בעיניי שהספר הוא חלק ממצעד הספרים של משרד החינוך (הבן שלי קורא אותו במסגרת יומן קריאה שהוא צריך לעשות). אומר משהו על מערכת החינוך שלנו.
March 31, 2020
Originally published in 1942, and newly reprinted by Kingfisher, this minor children's classic relates the story of Gobbolino, who, much like the hero of Williams's earlier title
Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse
, is a magical creature cast out into the world and searching for a home.
Although his mother Grimalkin and sister Sootica are both witch's cats, Gobbolino longs to be a kitchen cat instead, to be loved rather than feared. Abandoned by his mother and her witch because his "abnormal" white paw and blue eyes makes him unsuitable as a witch's cat, Gobbolino sets off to find a loving home. In a series of adventures, our hero continually finds what appear to be ideal homes, only to be turned out again when his parentage is revealed, or the circumstances of his human companions change.
How Gobbolino finally did become a kitchen cat, and found the love he so desperately wanted, makes for a charming story. Although this book follows the same basic storyline as Williams's previous work, Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse , the tale of Gobbolino is more emotionally involving. Whether this is because the author's skill improved in the four years between the two books or because cats are easier to anthropomorphize than wooden toys, is a matter for debate.
Although his mother Grimalkin and sister Sootica are both witch's cats, Gobbolino longs to be a kitchen cat instead, to be loved rather than feared. Abandoned by his mother and her witch because his "abnormal" white paw and blue eyes makes him unsuitable as a witch's cat, Gobbolino sets off to find a loving home. In a series of adventures, our hero continually finds what appear to be ideal homes, only to be turned out again when his parentage is revealed, or the circumstances of his human companions change.
How Gobbolino finally did become a kitchen cat, and found the love he so desperately wanted, makes for a charming story. Although this book follows the same basic storyline as Williams's previous work, Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse , the tale of Gobbolino is more emotionally involving. Whether this is because the author's skill improved in the four years between the two books or because cats are easier to anthropomorphize than wooden toys, is a matter for debate.
October 20, 2014
Poor little Gobbolino! A witch's kitten who wants to be good and be a nice family's kitchen cat, but never quite gets it right. This is a lovely little kid's book about fitting in and being who you want to be. I'd give Gobbolino a home any day, even if he is the most naive cat ever!
March 6, 2021
I liked this story as a child, but I've read it twice now as an adult and I really don't enjoy it.
It's an episodic shaggy-dog story, and every chapter follows the exact same plot. Gobbolino was born a witch's kitten, but he is nice and doesn't want to harm anyone, so he wants to be a kitchen cat. He will find some people to live with, and all goes well, until they discover he is a witch's cat and will chase him out and on to the next chapter where the exact same thing will happen with some new people. It is so monotonous, I could barely bring myself to read on, but I wanted to finish it since I knew I enjoyed it as a child.
It's set in a sort of fairy tale land, and Gobbolino can talk to people and do the dishes and so forth, so it's kind of irrelevant that he's even a cat.
Finally, the ending isn't particularly nice.
It's an episodic shaggy-dog story, and every chapter follows the exact same plot. Gobbolino was born a witch's kitten, but he is nice and doesn't want to harm anyone, so he wants to be a kitchen cat. He will find some people to live with, and all goes well, until they discover he is a witch's cat and will chase him out and on to the next chapter where the exact same thing will happen with some new people. It is so monotonous, I could barely bring myself to read on, but I wanted to finish it since I knew I enjoyed it as a child.
It's set in a sort of fairy tale land, and Gobbolino can talk to people and do the dishes and so forth, so it's kind of irrelevant that he's even a cat.
Finally, the ending isn't particularly nice.
April 1, 2024
I found this in the book section of a chain discount store and picked it up because of the cover, then bought it because of the title (I had never heard of it before). After all, who is to say aging middle aged dudes can't enjoy a kids book? Not me.
Loved it!
It certainly feels like it came from a different era, and the author is even aiming for an earlier time than her childhood (Published in 1942). It has an almost fairytale feel so there are no cars or machines around , but in this story are some staples of fairy tales like witches (obvious from the title), dragons, and whatnot. So all that atmosphere is a wonderful antidote to the stressful parts of our modern age.
I don't know how young readers feel about it and would be curious to find out, but most Goodreads reviews are from nostalgic adults. I noticed, but didn't really mind, that the rules on talking animals seems a little vague. Just roll with it and you will have much more fun.
Other bits...
Loved the illustrations which I assume are also by Ursula Williams. They should announce that on the cover.
Loved the whole Puffin Book layout. Good job to some graphic designer, way better than the other editions I saw online
I got this one for just a few dollars but may have to pay up for the sequel I see is on the authors list.
AFTERWORD
Thinking about this book again, and realized how different it really is from other stories. In a way it is a kind of reverse Harry Potter story, in that somebody (Gobbolino the cat) only wants to NOT be magical. Not magical, not special, just a "kitchen cat" who gets petted and lays in laps to sleep.
The desire to be NOT magical, is kind of magical in a kids book. Think about it, the message is don't worry about trying hard to be special. WOW, it this age of relentless striving this is really refreshing. Of course it only works because Gobbolino just wants to be a nice person (er, cat), but I say the world would be a much better place if there were more "nice" people and fewer arrogant but successful a-holes.
One more thing, I meant to mention/admit that I did get slightly (only slightly) weepy eyed at the end. Good stuff.
Loved it!
It certainly feels like it came from a different era, and the author is even aiming for an earlier time than her childhood (Published in 1942). It has an almost fairytale feel so there are no cars or machines around , but in this story are some staples of fairy tales like witches (obvious from the title), dragons, and whatnot. So all that atmosphere is a wonderful antidote to the stressful parts of our modern age.
I don't know how young readers feel about it and would be curious to find out, but most Goodreads reviews are from nostalgic adults. I noticed, but didn't really mind, that the rules on talking animals seems a little vague. Just roll with it and you will have much more fun.
Other bits...
Loved the illustrations which I assume are also by Ursula Williams. They should announce that on the cover.
Loved the whole Puffin Book layout. Good job to some graphic designer, way better than the other editions I saw online
I got this one for just a few dollars but may have to pay up for the sequel I see is on the authors list.
AFTERWORD
Thinking about this book again, and realized how different it really is from other stories. In a way it is a kind of reverse Harry Potter story, in that somebody (Gobbolino the cat) only wants to NOT be magical. Not magical, not special, just a "kitchen cat" who gets petted and lays in laps to sleep.
The desire to be NOT magical, is kind of magical in a kids book. Think about it, the message is don't worry about trying hard to be special. WOW, it this age of relentless striving this is really refreshing. Of course it only works because Gobbolino just wants to be a nice person (er, cat), but I say the world would be a much better place if there were more "nice" people and fewer arrogant but successful a-holes.
One more thing, I meant to mention/admit that I did get slightly (only slightly) weepy eyed at the end. Good stuff.
March 14, 2018
Classic author, classic tale of a magic cat trying to find his place
Born to a witch's cat, Gobbolino wants nothing more than to find a home amongst the warmth and bustle of a kitchen. His heritage gives almost everyone around him reason to move him on, and his life becomes one adventure after another as yet another home becomes unwelcoming and rebuffs the kitten.
Blessed with some magic, Gobbolino is able to use this to his advantage at times, but superstition follows him wherever he goes. Travelling between such establishments as an orphanage, a Punch and Judy show, a princess's castle - will the black cat ever find somewhere he can settle and make his home?
I listened to the audiobook of this, and though I enjoyed this as a 'listen', I didn't like the voice of Gobbolino much, though it didn't come along too often.
It's a good choice for readers maybe just too young for Harry Potter but ready for magic. With lots of fairly short episodes, it will make a good bedtime series for several nights, and even lead to discussions about differing beliefs, about witches and treating others with kindness.
The story may be 75 years old now, but the style shouldn't put off readers/listeners, the language is readable and moves along nicely. Gobbolino and his magic bring a quirkiness of their own to the story. I was glad to finally discover this one.
For listeners aged 6 and over, readers of around age 9.
Born to a witch's cat, Gobbolino wants nothing more than to find a home amongst the warmth and bustle of a kitchen. His heritage gives almost everyone around him reason to move him on, and his life becomes one adventure after another as yet another home becomes unwelcoming and rebuffs the kitten.
Blessed with some magic, Gobbolino is able to use this to his advantage at times, but superstition follows him wherever he goes. Travelling between such establishments as an orphanage, a Punch and Judy show, a princess's castle - will the black cat ever find somewhere he can settle and make his home?
I listened to the audiobook of this, and though I enjoyed this as a 'listen', I didn't like the voice of Gobbolino much, though it didn't come along too often.
It's a good choice for readers maybe just too young for Harry Potter but ready for magic. With lots of fairly short episodes, it will make a good bedtime series for several nights, and even lead to discussions about differing beliefs, about witches and treating others with kindness.
The story may be 75 years old now, but the style shouldn't put off readers/listeners, the language is readable and moves along nicely. Gobbolino and his magic bring a quirkiness of their own to the story. I was glad to finally discover this one.
For listeners aged 6 and over, readers of around age 9.
October 29, 2020
Nice little tale of a Witch's Kitten who wants to be a Kitchen's Kitten. Gobbolindo goes from one adventure to another in search of a lap in front of a fire. Found this tale in my search for Hugo worthy 1942 retro awards. Got my nomination, but no one else gave it the sane consideration. Maybe the reading level had something to do with it. I am guessing 4th grade reading level. Still , I really enjoyed the read.
February 24, 2018
I can recall little about this story, read around the age of 7, except that it was a fun read. I was a voracious reader then as now and books raced through my brain like water to the thirsty. Sadly have little excuse to re-read with no grandchildren on the horizon yet but hey, who needed an excuse ?
Ursula Moray Williams no doubt inspired many of our more well known children's authors to write about cats and magic etc etc. One could easily draw a line from Gobbolino to The Worst Witch to Harry Potter etc.
Ursula Moray Williams no doubt inspired many of our more well known children's authors to write about cats and magic etc etc. One could easily draw a line from Gobbolino to The Worst Witch to Harry Potter etc.
June 15, 2020
”Gobbolino, pisoiul vrăjitoarei” este o carte clasică pentru copii, emoționantă și înduioșătoare!
Povestea este una extrem de actuală. Câte persoane nu au și acum de pătimit din cauza culorii pielii, a familiei din care provin sau a locului în care s-au născut? Câte șanse nu li s-au refuzat acestora din cauza prejudecăților?
Mesajul cărții este unul foarte profund și generos, învățându-i pe copii să privească dincolo de aparențe și să judece pe cineva pentru ceea ce este și nu pentru ceea ce pare a fi.
Recenzia mea: https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/gob...
Povestea este una extrem de actuală. Câte persoane nu au și acum de pătimit din cauza culorii pielii, a familiei din care provin sau a locului în care s-au născut? Câte șanse nu li s-au refuzat acestora din cauza prejudecăților?
Mesajul cărții este unul foarte profund și generos, învățându-i pe copii să privească dincolo de aparențe și să judece pe cineva pentru ceea ce este și nu pentru ceea ce pare a fi.
Recenzia mea: https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/gob...
March 23, 2013
This was a favourite of mine as a kid. I think I tried reading this to Fred once but she wasn't interested. Una however loved it and summed up the plot to Martin "It's about a cat and he just wants to be a kitchen cat but it isn't fair because nobody understands him." A great deal of the dramatic tension of the book filters through "unfairness" which particularly resonates in a 7 year old's heart and perhaps as second-borns we could both relate to the idea of being the one who can't conform to the dominant family paradigm.
July 11, 2022
Read in Primary 4 with Mrs Leslie.
December 28, 2020
I too am a kitchen cat.
October 26, 2024
A lovely old book. A bit dated now but a great read for old times sake.
August 21, 2018
Maybe if I had read this as a child I would have liked it more. Maybe. Coming to it at the age I am now, I found it repetitive and rather exasperating--the cat does nothing but cry all the time. It never occurs to him to strike out on his own, rather than letting circumstances just carry him along. He wants to be a kitchen cat, and yet he goes through town after town without actively looking for a kitchen that wants a cat. All his troubles are blamed on his birth: "Why oh why was I born a witches' cat?" It's very revealing that in all those weeks and months--Gobbolino never grows up. I've owned kittens, they grow very fast, and his sister certainly becomes an adult cat in the same time, but Gobbolino remains stunted, kittenish--immature. I wonder if the author was aware of her own symbolism, or if it just wrote itself that way?
I realise that the repetition of whole sentences reflects the style of old fairy tales, but it didn't make it any more interesting to read.
I realise that the repetition of whole sentences reflects the style of old fairy tales, but it didn't make it any more interesting to read.
March 11, 2025
I admit I was expecting a more cheerful story when I bought this book. Yes, in the end, all ends well for Gobbolino but his mistreatment by his family and others for being different really left a lump in my throat while reading. I don't think I can bear seeing a cat or any animal being mistreated. I know I'm getting more sentimental as I get older but it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I will treasure the book, especially for its cover art but am in no hurry to re-read it again 🙃
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2017
اشتريت الكتاب لغلافه فقط صراحة، ولم أندم لذلك!
أُحب قصص الأطفال مجملاً وأستمتع كثيراً بقراءة المقدمة النقدية التي توضع على النسخ الخاصة - كهذا- لقد تعرفت على قط ساحر صغير سيء الحظ، وعلى كاتبة مُلهمة ذات تشبيهات جميلة ()
أُحب قصص الأطفال مجملاً وأستمتع كثيراً بقراءة المقدمة النقدية التي توضع على النسخ الخاصة - كهذا- لقد تعرفت على قط ساحر صغير سيء الحظ، وعلى كاتبة مُلهمة ذات تشبيهات جميلة ()
October 13, 2019
A nice revisit to a very sweet children's book that was read to me as a child.
A lovely story that reminds us there is no harm in wanting a simple life!
A story book I'll share as it think it's a wonderful story to be read aloud on a dark stormy bedtime!
A lovely story that reminds us there is no harm in wanting a simple life!
A story book I'll share as it think it's a wonderful story to be read aloud on a dark stormy bedtime!
March 11, 2025
What a cute little book. Honestly never would have read it but my little cousin wanted me to. It was so cute and I wanted Gobbolino to find a home. The ending was ok but it was a fun little read and I enjoyed it. Plus he reminds me of my little Milo who must have been searching for him home out there in the wild.
May 30, 2025
One of my favourite and most vividly remembered childhood reads, reread now with my son. Written in the 1940s, women (and witches in particular) get unsurprisingly stereotypical treatment. But we both loved Gobbolino nonetheless.
April 23, 2018
Gobbolino... A character with so much humility.. Love this story book!!!
August 23, 2020
This was a cute and fast book - I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the story - it's a nice quick read.
October 30, 2021
A very sweet book, especially for cat lovers. A little repetitive in parts but I can overlook it. A very good book overall.
November 5, 2022
I remember reading this when I was young at school. I loved reading it to my daughter. It is a nice, cosy tale with a good structure. I’d give Gobbolino a home any day!
February 1, 2024
This was very average. It just made me feel sad for the cat being constantly abandoned for something they can’t help.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews