Old Tom

Old Tom

by Leigh Hobbs

On the fateful day Old Tom arrives at Angela Throgmorton's doorstep, Angela knows that things will never be the same. She lovingly raises the little feline monster as her own, but all he does is drive her crazy.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud with my child, and we laughed out loud at Old Tom and his antics. What a funny story, and as cat lovers it was great to see someone appreciate Cats for who and what they are!

[Vivienne Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little while ago I write about Hi/Lo Readers and since then I have had a few people ask me for advice on where to get books like this. It seems that many parents want to find books with simple plot lines and simple language as a way of encouraging their children to pick up and read a book. Last week I was putting up some second hand books for sale on TheBookbubble shop an I came across a book I thought might fall into this category and decided to review it. This is not a new book, in fact the Old Tom series has been around for quite a while, but it think children today will still find it funny and fun. While I was investigating it I found that not only are there more books in this series, but there are cartoons available on youtube to keep your children's interest levels up.

Read the rest of the review at www.thebookbubble.com

[Jayne at the Library In my re reading my childhood books Era · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this book to make me feel so much.
The moment I saw Tom, I was right back in Grade 3, sitting on the classroom floor while my teacher read it to us. I can still picture it so clearly — the room, the voice reading, the way the world felt smaller and safer for those few minutes. That feeling came rushing back all at once.
Reading it now felt like touching something fragile from my childhood. I didn’t just remember the story — I remembered who I was when I first heard it. A kid who felt held by stories, before life got loud and complicated.
There’s a quiet kind of magic in this book. It doesn’t demand attention or try to impress — it simply lingers. Long after the last page, it leaves behind a feeling of warmth, familiarity, and being gently looked after.
Five stars, for the book… and for the child I once was, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, listening and believing the world was kind. 💛

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars--Super goofy story of a hellacious misbehaving cat and his grumpy caretaker. The illustrations are scribbly and childlike. I wasn't a fan that the cat's owner dumped him outside when she got sick of his behavior, but that was a big part of the story, and Tom's eventual return to his home.

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this because I’ve just joined my libraries online ebook borrowing site and it came up. Read it as a fun simple read. Only took me ten minutes 😂

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny little story about 2 very different people (or in Tom’s case, a monster) being the best of friends, despite their faults.

[Anne Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macie’s review
I loved this book because Old Tom was very naughty like my sister.

[Caitlin Arnoldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last two weeks of term calls for a read aloud!!

[Lectora de la tierra media · Rating 2 out of 5]

Este comic está muy chulo, y se parece mucho a un niño este gatete... jeje
Seguiré leyendo libros de gatos que encontré y es que no quiero parar... Pero ahora buscaré historias algo más largas.

[AllAboutBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 4 year old does likes this book but I think he finds it a bit difficult to focus on to it. The words don't seem to rhyme in a flow, like they're trying too hard, and they say stuff like "beddy" instead of bed that can be confusing for kid. It is a classic but maybe not aging that well. According to the publisher; Old Tom has found his way into the hearts of thousands of children all around the world. This anniversary edition celebrates this lovable rogue and his relationship with the one and only Angela Throgmorton.

I think it is good quality and brightly coloured, the flaps lifted without ripping, I just felt it wasn't the best one they've done because I was expecting more from the 25th Anniversary addition. I have also read reviews of other kids books and books for babies and toddlers and also books for 3 to5 year olds and this children's book seems to have mixed reviews.

But in any case, it is a classic children's book and if anyone is looking to get it home delivered in Pakistan, I would recommend that they get it here: https://chapters.pk/products/old-tom-... Because you can get it delivered for free if you spend over 3,000 I think. If you are an Old Tom fan or grew up reading this children's book in Pakistan than you may want your little one to have it. Give it a try.



First published in 1994, Old Tom remains one of Children's Laureate 2016/17 Leigh Hobbs' best known characters, starring in many books and in his own television series.

[Twips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Tom was one of my favourite shows as a kid, and seeing this on my library app brought up all kinds of nostalgia so I had to read it. Being an ebook, the experience was slightly hindered by the formatting but it was still enjoyable.

I always struggle to come up with anything to say for short stories. Angela was meaner than I remember from the show—maybe that’s why they brought Lavinia in for the series—and I was so sad for Old Tom near the end.

The author’s note talking about how Old Tom nearly wasn’t published was surprising to me, and I’m thankful that someone saw something in it in the end, because otherwise, I wouldn’t have grown up looking forward to watching it every day after school.

ISBN: 9781760872960 — 25th Anniversary Edition.

Review Date: December 29, 2020

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all need someone, and need to be needed. It's universal. It even applies to an old tom.

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL58144...

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leigh draws like Quentin Blake. I really love Old Tom's dead fish-teddy. It's always kept close. Wonder how rank it smells.

[Jodie]

YAHOO! :) I am done reading this book.. :-)

[Janjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay. i think it was so great. i read it in a very short time because, well, it's short. HAHA! LOVE IT! AND I READ IT IN THE BOOKSTORE!

[Ellinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book for kids. I really liked Tom even though he was a real nuisance at some points.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old Tom was enjoyable and funny. The drawings were amusing.