Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Mog the Forgetful Cat #1

Mog the Forgetful Cat

Rate this book
Once there was a cat called Mog and she lived with a family called Thomas. Mog was nice but not very clever, and she forgot a lot of things... 'Bother that cat!' Mog always seems to be in trouble. She forgets that she has a cat flap and she forgets that she has already eaten her supper. But, one night, Mog's forgetfulness comes in very handy...

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1970

34 people are currently reading
1691 people want to read

About the author

Judith Kerr

115 books373 followers
Judith Kerr was a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the Second World War.

Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
2,719 (54%)
4 stars
1,421 (28%)
3 stars
705 (14%)
2 stars
146 (2%)
1 star
40 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
Profile Image for Ken.
2,557 reviews1,375 followers
September 28, 2021
The misunderstood Mog must be feeling ecstatic that she has been beloved by many young children for over 50th years now, her usual forgetfulness tended to get her into trouble with the Thomas family as she thought her owners didn't care.
From standing on the flower window box instead of using the cat flap, to trying to nab the family breakfast having forgotten she'd already eaten...

The nuisance cat soon has an opportunity to save the day and the family embrace her misgivings.

A delightful classic with some great illustrations, the picture book is very rooted in the time period of the early 70's that it was first published but also.feels timeless.
The perfectly simple tale that continues to delight.
Profile Image for Hilary .
2,294 reviews489 followers
April 11, 2018
We missed this mog story, but luckily found an old copy today. Great illustrations show a cat that lives with a family and the adults generally blame Mog for everything. Mog alerts the family to the presence of a burglar and is thereafter seen in a better light.

A lovely gentle story for young children, when the burglar is caught without a struggle they have all have a cup of tea with the policeman and even the burglar is given a cup, with a saucer of course!
Profile Image for Diane in Australia.
739 reviews13 followers
November 19, 2019
I love all of Judith Kerr's Mog books. If the child in your life loves cats, they would enjoy reading about Mog. Her books have sold 10 million copies worldwide. She is the author, and illustrator. Look how adorable!


5 Stars = I love it!
Profile Image for Carol.
1,370 reviews2,351 followers
December 21, 2019
Couldn't help myself. Just had to read this children's picture book, published in 1970, about a forgetful sweetie of a cat named MOG.

All cats get into trouble from time to time. I know so from much experience, but in the end....MOG is....NO BOTHER!

Oh so cute!

Profile Image for Jan-Maat.
1,683 reviews2,487 followers
Read
May 8, 2023
This is a useful addition to 'the cat saved the day (or night)' genre of literature and is a valuable reminder that every cat, no matter how silly, can in the right circumstances, earn it's right to eat some egg.
Profile Image for Lisa Vegan.
2,908 reviews1,310 followers
October 27, 2021
Delightful! Mog is so endearing. I loved how Debbie, the girl in the house, sticks by Mog, even when she has her nightmare about a tiger. (That double page illustration is my favorite picture in the book.) The illustrations are cute. The story is mostly funny, with a bit of sadness, and it has a fun twist ending. Readers who have known any less than brilliant cats and/or cats who find trouble, will especially enjoy this sweet book. It looks as though there are a lot of Mog books, and I’m sure after reading/listening to this book, many readers will want to read about the further adventures of Mog and the Thomas family.
Profile Image for Книжни Криле.
3,588 reviews201 followers
January 30, 2021
Знаете ли коя е поредната книжна радост, която ни споходи благодарение на изд. „Лист”? „Мог забраваната” е култова класика на британската детска литература, която наскоро отпразнува своята петдесета годишнина. Именно с тази книга Джудит Кер поставя начало на обичаната от всички поредица за неудачите и приключенията на една най-обикновена котка и нейните стопани, семейство Томас. Известната писателка и илюстраторка ни напусна през 2019 година на преклонната възраст от 95 години, но книгите й продължават да носят радост по света, а вече и на български език. Как от обикновеното ежедневие става умилителна книга? Как прозаичното се превръща в приказка? до голяма степен базира персонажите и дома им на собствения си семеен живот, а прототипът на Мог е гальовна котка, която обичала да стои с гушена в скута на художничката, докато тя рисува. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле”: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
Profile Image for Carolien.
1,046 reviews139 followers
January 1, 2023
Mog keeps forgetting things like that cats can't fly and where the cat flap is. One day, Mog has a particularly bad day, but being locked out again has an unexpected benefit. And now the family won't say "Bother that cat" so often! The first of the Mog books beautifully illustrated by the author.
Profile Image for Kaethe.
6,564 reviews534 followers
December 2, 2018
Aw, I love the 1970 illustrations and the story. The Offspring, not overwhelmed with nostalgia, were less enthused, although they did like the twist.
Profile Image for Chinook.
2,333 reviews19 followers
January 23, 2019
This is probably the most British book that ever was, because at the end they are drinking tea with the burglar while the policeman tells Mog she deserves a medal.
Profile Image for Abigail.
7,952 reviews260 followers
November 30, 2018
"Once there was a cat called Mog and she lived with a family called Thomas. Mog was nice but not very clever. She didn't understand a lot of things. A lot of other things she forgot. She was a very forgetful cat." And so begins this hilarious tale of the adorable Mog, a plump kitty-cat who, while she may not have been the cleverest feline out there, had a heart full of love for her human family. When Mog's forgetfulness precipitates one crisis too many, leading to an unpleasant scene, the poor confused cat flees to the dark garden, where she thinks "dark thoughts," wondering if any of the Thomases even want her around anymore. But then, Mog sees a light in the kitchen...

It may sound like an odd thing for a self-professed cat-lover to say, but I have met some astoundingly dumb cats in my life. None more so than my sister's cat Sweetpea, whom I have been known to call "Substance Abuse Kitty," because of her predilection for licking unhealthy things, like photo negatives, or the gold paint on wedding invitations (hand-made for my sister's wedding - now that was a crisis! ha!). Needless to say, I have a real soft spot in my heart for such cats - I just can't help it, I feel amused by and protective of them, all at the same time - so I just wanted to scoop the adorably confused Mog out of this story, and give her a big cuddle. Her distress felt so real to me - after all, animals don't understand, for the most part, why people get upset with them - and her eventual (accidental) triumph so satisfying!

Humorous and heart-warming, this is a picture-book I would recommend to all true cat-lovers, especially any who have ever known one that was a little... well, forgetful!
Profile Image for Capn.
1,339 reviews
April 29, 2021
Best scene is British family in pyjamas, police and handcuffed would-be burgler having a cuppa in the kitchen. Because only in Britain. Tea, not bullets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gerry.
Author 43 books119 followers
February 16, 2017
Mog is a very forgetful cat, sometimes her memory loss is genuine, other times it is by design!

Mog lives with the Thomas family, mother and father and two children, Nicky and Debbie. She has her own entrance, a cat flap that takes her from the kitchen into the garden. And she is always excited when she goes into the garden for she can smell all the smells, chase the birds, climb trees and run around with a big fluffed up tail.

However, when it comes time to go back into the house she forgets she has a cat flap (see what I mean by design!) and she will sit outside the kitchen window and meow until one of the children lets her in. While waiting for entry she will sit on the window box that Mr Thomas is proudly cultivating and he is always upset when he sees his flowers crushed and he always says, 'Bother that cat!'

One day Mog is upset when Nicky picks her up when she is still asleep; she is not happy but she says nothing. But at breakfast time she takes her revenge when, forgetting that cats have milk for breakfast and only have eggs as a treat, she climbs onto the dining table and eats Nicky's egg. Debbie tries to put a good spin on it by saying, 'Nicky doesn't like eggs anyway.'

Another day she is in the street and is chased by a big dog so she runs home, jumps up to the kitchen window and meows to be let in; this time it is Mrs Thomas who says, 'Bother that cat!' And she has to repeat her statement shortly afterwards for Mog goes to sleep on a chair on which is one of Mrs Thomas' best hats!

Mog is in trouble again when she sleeps on top of the television as Mr Thomas wants to watch a fight and then again when she creeps onto Debbie's bed and licks her hair thus causing Debbie to awaken screaming as she thinks she is having a bad dream. 'BOTHER that cat!' everyone declares.

But in the end Mog is forgiven, for, having fled the house after Debbie's dream she sits in the garden and spots someone in the kitchen. She goes to the window and meows her biggest meow and this causes the man inside to drop his bag and make quite a racket. This wakens the household and they go to the kitchen to discover it is a burglar so Mog has saved the day, or even the night!

A policeman is called and hears what has happened while Mr and Mrs Thomas and, rather bizarrely, the burglar have a cup of tea. Mog ends up with a gold medal around her neck declaring 'To Mog for Bravery'.

Judith Kerr tells a delightful story of the lovely Mog and it is accompanied by her charming illustrations.
Profile Image for Maxine (Booklover Catlady).
1,407 reviews1,421 followers
June 23, 2024
It’s no surprise that Judith Kerr has had these books sold millions of times over across many generations. It stands the test of time. I don’t think there has been much like it. I had to get this special hardback edition for my collection of cat themed books on my bookshelves (it’s full!).

Mog is so lovable and will appeal hugely to children. In this story she forgets everything (where is my cat flap again?) which soon turns out to more of a gift than a hindrance.

The illustrations (I believe also done by the Author?) are gorgeous and will ignite the imaginations of children. Perfect for bedtime to snuggle up and read to your child or to be enjoyed by self-readers.

I loved this book a long time ago and it’s just as wonderful now. Highly recommended! A great collectors item copy.

Thanks so much for reading my review! If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request. 🐱

She needs books and cats like others need air to live.

Profile Image for Elfo-oscuro.
811 reviews36 followers
July 29, 2020
Una historia muy bonita que sobretodo gustara en las casas donde haya un gato. Un gato que cena y se olvida que ha cenado, un gato que se olvida que no puede volar desde los arboles... gustara mucho a tus hijos
Profile Image for Katie.
584 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2023
My 3 yr old would give this 10,000 stars if she could and she doesn't even know there are pictures for it, she's just been listening to the audiobook.
Profile Image for Becs.
1,582 reviews52 followers
November 26, 2021
For anyone who has ever had an elderly cat, or a cheeky cat or perhaps even a cat at all I think this story will resonate. Much like one of my own elderly cats once was, Mog is super forgetful and tends to cause some bother when she forgets where she is, that she has a perfectly good cat flap, or that she’s even a cat at all.

This pulls really damn hard on the heart strings, because it has this good natured feeling with a slightly sad atmosphere, at least for adult readers who know that Mog is probably quite old! Mog often doesn’t feel understood and thinks her family doesn’t love her because she’s such a bother to them, but actually they do love her and most especially when she saves the day.

To be honest, I don’t love that undertone but the nostalgic reminder of my own fluffy friend who certainly was forgetful and a bit weird some days when she felt lost and forgot she too was a cat, was enough to make me adore this story.
Profile Image for Katie Mary Thomas.
1 review
February 12, 2017
I loved this book as a child and so I really enjoyed reading it again now. I like how the author has set the writing within the pictures as it brings both aspects of the story together. The writing is short and grouped together making it easier to read for young children who are just starting to learn to read. By doing this it also brings more attention to each section of writing.

I like who the pictures have been seemed to have sketched on to the page. This creates a more friendly of way of drawing. The pictures are also not contained within a frame which allows the reader to be a part of story. Therefore, making the story more accessible for those reading the book.

There is repetition with the book of saying that Mog is a forgetful cat which is keep drawing the attention back of the children reading the story.
Profile Image for Adrian.
1,437 reviews41 followers
April 15, 2021
Once there was a cat called Mog.
She lived with a family called Thomas.
Mog was nice but not very clever.
She didn't understand a lot of things.
A lot of other things she forgot.
She was a very forgetful cat.


Another of today's charity shop finds which we bought for the book and not the plush 'Mog', honestly!

It is a charming little book and a true classic from Judith Kerr. This is the first outing for the much loved Mog and we find out all about her family and her forgetfulness. 4 stars!

"Bother that cat!"
Profile Image for Kinga (oazaksiazek).
1,435 reviews171 followers
November 26, 2022
4,5

Mog to bardzo zapominalska kotka. Czasem nie pamięta nawet o tym, że już jadła. Jej ludzie mają z nią niezłe utrapienie.

Pewnego dnia wszystko się jednak zmienia. Mog staje się bohaterką. Co się wydarzyło? Co takiego zrobiła ta wyjątkowa kocica?

Judith Kerr mnie rozbawiła. Za sprawą bardzo prostej historii uchwyciła to, co najbardziej lubię w kotach. Ilustracje są specyficzne, szczególnie ta na której .
Profile Image for Claire.
1,212 reviews314 followers
March 11, 2024
Mog might basically be the perfect book cat- forgetful, not very bright, a bit of a bother, but a wonderfully true portrait of a loved pet. This story was a fave when I was a child, and holds up as a much loved read aloud decades later with my wee mate. We look forward to digging into more of Mog’s adventures soon.
Profile Image for Molly O’Toole.
2 reviews
February 1, 2021
I cried when they gave Mog an egg at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chinara Ahmadova.
425 reviews123 followers
March 7, 2019
Vaqiflə sevə-sevə, dönə-dönə oxuduğumuz yatmaq kitabı :) Çox pozitiv və şirin pişik Moqun ailənin güllərini dağıtması və sonra qəhrəmanlıq göstərərək günahlarını yumasından danışır.
3 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2013
Mog gets into trouble due to her absentminded nature. Mog's inability to remember leads her to forget that she can not fly and she also forgets where her cat flap is. Interestingly, Mog is a cat but has a child like mindset. After a series of forgetful antics that get her into trouble, she sees a light in the window and meows to be let back in, as a result she saves the day.

I enjoyed this book as the short interesting sentences are combined with a sing a long rhythm of Kerr's text that makes it perfect for key stage one. The book is not only great to read out loud but the protagonist's (Mog) character can be easily identified by the children as she lives life in the fast lane and in an adventorous and thrilling way. What children like the most is that she saves the day by mistake. The picture book is perfect for five to eight year olds and can be used in several ways. Mog the Forgetful Cat can be used to teach knowledge retrieval skills, for guided reading or to read to the whole class.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.