Freddy's Magic Garden: Incredible Cat Stories

by Angelina Dayan

"A truly joyful and rich portrait of life with cats. Charming slice-of-life adventures told from the points of view of cats and their compassionate caretaker." BookLife Reviews, Editor's Picx

If you like cats, you will enjoy this delightful book filled with wonderful stories told by cutie Freddy cat & his mum, based on real-life adventures. Perfect for animal lovers, these heartwarming tales can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. You will whizz through the pages as the end of each chapter brings a longing to find out what happens next. These uplifting stories will make you smile and laugh and maybe even bring a tear or two to your eyes from time to time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats

Paperback

First published September 5, 2022

About the author

Angelina Dayan started writing when she was still in high school and quickly became known in local literary circles. Then she went to study in Paris, graduated in economics and marketing, and embraced a business career. Writing became an occasional hobby. She did write a cookbook, though, published by Robert Rose in the USA and Les Editions de l'Homme in Canada. Although she had always wanted only one cat, the events you will discover in this book led her to have 15, not counting permanent or occasional visitors to the garden. So many incredible adventures happened to her cats that it was only natural to put them together in a book. Well, she will tell you the storyteller is not her but her lovely kitty, Freddy @FreddyKitty. Freddy invited his Twitter friends, Maggie (Andrea Shepheard) and Munch (Helen Nicholson), to participate in his book, and they kindly accepted.

Andrea Shepheard, the author of the story "Sweet Maggie is Left Behind," lives in Norfolk, England. She loves all animals and especially spends time with her lovely kitty, Maggie @Andy18512371.

Helen Nicholson, the author of the story "Munch Goes Missing", loves animals, especially cats, and of course, her extra special cat Munch @MunchPudding. She also loves to travel and see parts of the world she hasn't seen before, experiencing new cultures and meeting people. Her favourite country is Greece as there are so many cats, the weather is great, and the people are super friendly. Being on Cats of Twitter has helped bring her passions of travelling and meeting new people with cats together, and she has made some lovely friends along the way. Helen lives close to Manchester, England.

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Reviews

[Narilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freddy's Magic Garden is an absolutely charming collection of cat stories as told by Freddy the cat and his friends with occasional help from his human mum. It's not that mum had wanted to live with 15 cats, plus the occasional and permanent garden visitors, but sometimes that's just how life ends up. The stories are well told and uplifting, occasionally making me teary eyed at some of the challenges the kitties had to over come before they made it to their forever home. This is definitely a collection for cat lovers though I think any animal lover would enjoy these rescue stories.

I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway.

[mommy_and_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a book written by a cat and its human mother in my life. I decided to do something about it. I read the book "Freddy's Magic Garden". Freddy is a beautiful black and white male cat. His human mother is Angelina Dayan. Together they created something amazing. Freddy and his mother tell stories from their lives. Angelina is a wonderful person who loves cats. She had plenty of them in her life. She loves the Maine Coon breed. She has several of them in her house, which you will find out by reading this story. I met, among others, cats: Tahiti, Carmel, Uddy and Maman. You will find many more cats in this book. Some cats stories entertain, teach and make you cry. This book is perfectly written. I like her style. Perfect for young and adult readers. If you are lovers of cats and other animals, you cannot miss this title. The book "Freddy's Magic Garden" contains wonderful photographs of the described cats. Something fabulous.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kittens and cats are very smart. Angelina Dayan owns seven Maine Coons. She shares a tale about a cat family who is desperately looking for a new home. Unfortunately, they are about to become thrown about by a construction company.
Angelina Dayan 's actions speak many words. She loves cats. If it takes going from house to house to find them, She will do it. She leaves her phone number wherever possible. Will she make a good mother for these cats? Yes! She already has seven Maine Coons to prove it. While "Freddy's Magic Garden: Incredible Cat Stories," is full of fun shenanigans done by the cats, there are also sad stories. One person locks a cat in a dark room. Her philosophy is obedience before pleasure. The book is a delight.

[Jeannie Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Freddy's Magic Garden
Author: Angelina Dayan
Genre: Cats - Memoir - Slice of Life
Publisher: Angelina Dayan Publishing - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: September 8, 2022
Read: November 29 - December 3, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: If you like cats, you will enjoy this delightful book filled with wonderful stories told by cutie Freddy cat & his mum, based on real-life adventures. Perfect for animal lovers, these heartwarming tales can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. You will whizz through the pages as the end of each chapter brings a longing to find out what happens next. These uplifting stories will make you smile and laugh and maybe even bring a tear or two to your eyes from time to time.

Review: Told in a first person point of view by Freddy (a stray kitten turned contented house cat), his human Mum, and other felines, this is a sweet book filled with wonderful stories of how Freddy and his sister were saved from a hard life in a vacant lot, learned to live with their adopted Maine Coon siblings, and saw their feline family and friendships grow over the years.

Anyone who knows me in real life knows I'm a sucker for animals, especially cats. (I have two rescue kitties of my own, but they are only the latest in a long line of rescues stretching back to childhood.) I loved reading the stories told from the cats' POVs. So charming and alternating between funny, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching. The photos of Freddy and his feline buddies are adorable!

Overall, it's a cute book and a fairly quick read. If you love watching cat videos on Instagram or TikTok, you'll love reading Freddy's Magic Garden by Angelina Dayan.

[Paigelauren Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for any cat or animal lover. its a heart warming stories from the point of both human and cat which makes a fun and enticing read. I love the way this is written it left me very emotion through out. I was laughing and crying which my poor partner didn't understand.
I love any book about cats and this is no exception its is inspiring and funny. I read this quickly and was so sad when it ended but I was uplifted by this story and it made me hug my own cat to me and wonder what stories he could tell me.
Thank you to Netgalley/Anhelina Dayan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this book. I love how both the cat and it's owner share in telling the story. Very entertaining.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my nearly 9 year old daughter who loves cats of all kinds. It was instantly attracting to her and she enjoyed Freddy's adventures.

Quaint and enjoyable. This is an "escape" book, not a heavy piece of literature. Freddy is whimsical and fun.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book.great for a gift to cat lovers.this was a Kindle read that I won on Goodreads. I need to check if it's sold in book form for gifts

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an original crazy cat lady and rescuer of cats, I didn't just read this book - I lived it and I loved it and it has a place on my "favorites" shelf. It will be re-read over and over I am sure.

Love cats? Read it.
Love pets? Read it.
Love all animals? Read it.
Don't care about animals - definitely read it. It will change your mind.

[Brittany Ribeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book I have read in December. it’s a must read !

I won this on goodreads giveaways. And I fell in love with this book . I could not put it down it made me laugh , it made me cry . I love how the book has the cats version of the event and their human side of the story . I’m a huge cat lover and I highly recommend reading and buy this book . You won’t regret it. I wish I could find more books like this.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. This book was super cute and such a relaxing fun read.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddy's Magic Garden

Absolutely delightful.....such lovely cat stories! There are a few sad passages, but all the cats have a happy ending to their stories. Such lovely cats, as well.....beautiful photographs of them all.

[Tina Hagenbuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read …

After adopting a new kitten I ran upon this book. What a delightful book with beautiful stories of the feline nature. Written from a cat’s perspective, with their real life struggles, antics, love and joy.

[Ana Kyrcz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and heartwarming collection of stories creatively narrated by a cat and his owner. A fun way to share stories of love, loss, and family - both humans and felines.

[LaBibliodeCaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddy's Magic Garden is such a wholesome read, full of adventures and riddled with poignant emotions. The many rich stories of these rescued cats are a testament to the deep bond and love shared between the author and these vulnerable animals. It reads like a fairy tale with twists, heartbreaks and joyful reunions. The concept of a magic garden is absolutely wonderful. Looking forward to more wholesome tales from this beautiful family.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The photos of the cats are gorgeous. The story is told from an interesting variety of perspectives including animals, the woman who cares for them, and Freddy the cat. The writing style is lovely. I cared for all of the animals. Some readers may be upset by the reality that is inserted into this set of animal stories. The animals include wild animals, feral cats, and abandoned and mistreated cats. I found myself waiting for something awful to happen to these poor creatures. Nothing horrible was blatantly described; however, the animals were neglected. While we all know this happens, it can be very difficult to read about. These plot points can make the book difficult to read in places. I had to take a break and actually did not start reading this book right away because I did not want to deal with those topics. I am a cat lover (and animal lover, in general), so I may be more sensitive that some.
This book can certainly raise awareness of animal abuse and neglect. However, Freddy's story has a happy ending. This book is aimed at adults and is not an animal fairytale for children.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a sweet book, told mostly from Freddy's perspective. I was thinking it would be cheesy but I actually really enjoyed it. I have a soft spot for feral kitties as I had a rescue kitten who had been abandoned by his cat momma. He was a sickly little boy all his life but he lived 10 years.
Cat lovers will greatly appreciate the author's kind heartedness toward her kitties.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I love cats and these stories were so heartwarming! So many stories about overcoming adversity and finding forever homes. Thanks for sharing your stories Freddy. You and your siblings are beautiful. I hope many people read about you!!

[Carol Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a cat lover since being lucky enough to rescue a wonderful ginger Maine Coon from a shelter years ago. I had him for 12 years and still miss him every day. I loved reading these stories from the cats' point of view - especially the Maine Coons.

Sometimes when a writer uses an animal's point of view, the result comes across as silly or corny. Not here. The author does a good job of presenting an authentic voice for each of its animal 'writers'

Anyone who loves animals will love this book; and if they don't start out as an animal lover, they just might end up as one. This is a thoroughly charming book

[Jennifer Bowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with cats, so this was an enjoyable read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Angelina Dayan for allowing me to read this.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read and a perfect story if you are a cat lover. Freddy is such a sweet boy and the book made me smile and some parts made me think about my cats.
Loved the style of writing and the cats.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received from a Goodreads giveaway

The only thing I can say about this book is it is adorable. I enjoyed the stories that Freddy told about his life and those of his family and friends. I must say that Big Head is definitely a favorite of mine and reminded me of my Mickey who was a stray that adopted me. Thank you for sharing your stories with me

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my cats more than anything else in the world so my review of this book is for sure biased - but this book was just way too pure-hearted for me not to give five stars to. Telling how you got each of your cats, but from their point of view instead of yours is just an absolutely adorable idea which was made even better with the retellings of interactions between them and your other animals as well.
My critique of this book is that sometimes it didn't focus enough on the cats, though. For example, saying something like "let my mom tell you this story" was cute the first time, but it was overused in this book. Same thing with talking about the publishing of this book - it was cute the first time to imagine the cat worrying about his mom's book being successful, but it was overused to the point where it started to feel like the author whining. Still though, I'm choosing to believe this wasn't the intention and keeping my rating at five stars.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Heather Schumacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the lives of Freddy (and other cats), from Freddy’s point of view. I love cat memoirs, so I was delighted to read this. While I sometimes found the POV a little awkward, I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories about Freddy and his cat family. This book would be a wonderful read for both children and adults.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Aftan · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received by NetGalley. Thank you!

A perfect read for lovers of our feline friends!

As a cat lover I appreciated the whimsy that this book provided. It follows the story of a family of cats using the unique POV at the cats themselves. Simply adorable and perfect for a younger audience.

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelina Dayan’s "Freddy's Magic Garden" is a poignant and heartwarming tale that takes readers on an emotional journey through the eyes of a small black kitten named Freddy. Set in a harsh wasteland, this story unfolds with a mix of adversity, resilience, and the magic of new beginnings. For cat lovers and fans of animal-themed books, this novel is a touching tribute to the indomitable spirit of our feline friends.

The novel begins with the stark reality of Freddy's early life. Born into a world of scarcity and danger, Freddy and his sister's survival is initially precarious. Their young and inexperienced mother nearly succumbs to hunger and exhaustion while searching for sustenance, only to be rescued by a kind-hearted woman known as Mum. This act of compassion sets the stage for the central theme of the book: the transformative power of kindness and the unexpected bonds that can form in the most dire of circumstances.

As Freddy's journey continues, he encounters other cats who have their own harrowing tales of survival. Each story, from the Maine Coon who risks her life on a hunger strike after being separated from her family to the tiny kitten who eats gravel in a desperate bid to stay alive, adds depth and richness to the narrative. These individual accounts resonate with readers, highlighting the resilience and courage of animals facing adversity.

Dayan excels in her portrayal of the feline characters, each imbued with distinct personalities and backstories that endear them to the reader. Freddy, as the protagonist, is particularly well-developed. His innocence, curiosity, and gradual adaptation to his new environment are depicted with a touching realism that cat owners will find especially relatable. Mum, the compassionate woman who takes Freddy in, is a beacon of hope and empathy, her actions serving as a reminder of the profound impact humans can have on the lives of animals.

The writing style in "Freddy's Magic Garden" is both evocative and accessible. Dayan’s descriptive prose brings the wasteland and the sanctuary of Mum's garden to life, creating a vivid contrast between the two settings. Her ability to convey the emotions and experiences of the cats without anthropomorphizing them excessively is commendable, maintaining a balance that keeps the story grounded in the reality of animal behavior.

What makes "Freddy's Magic Garden" particularly compelling is its emotional depth and the seamless intertwining of multiple narratives. The story is not just about Freddy’s survival, but also about the broader theme of finding hope and family amidst chaos. This multifaceted approach allows readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level, appreciating the various struggles and triumphs that define their lives.

One of the delightful aspects of this book is the inclusion of adorable cat pictures that punctuate the narrative. These images add a visual charm to the story, making the reading experience even more engaging for cat enthusiasts. Additionally, the author includes two guest stories at the very end, providing an added bonus that enriches the overall narrative and offers further insight into the lives of other feline characters.

For cat lovers, this book is a treasure trove of relatable moments and heartwarming rescues. The detailed accounts of the cats’ ordeals and their eventual recoveries will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever cared for a pet. Animal book enthusiasts will appreciate the authentic depiction of animal behavior and the realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by stray and abandoned animals.

Moreover, "Freddy's Magic Garden" has a broader appeal to readers who enjoy stories of resilience, compassion, and the healing power of love. The book’s underlying message—that even in the darkest times, there is always hope and the possibility of finding a safe haven—makes it a touching and inspirational read.

"Freddy's Magic Garden" by Angelina Dayan is a beautifully crafted tale that captures the essence of survival, kindness, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. With its well-drawn characters, evocative writing, and compelling narrative, this book is sure to touch the hearts of readers and leave a lasting impression. Whether you are a dedicated cat lover or simply enjoy a good animal story, this novel is a must-read that celebrates the resilience and spirit of our feline companions.

[Aneesha Shewani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddy's Magic Garden by Angelina Dayan is a warm and fuzzy novella, perfect for the winter months. It contains stories filled with much love and affection for our furry friends. It is about friendship, guardianship, and hope. The book has been written with much tenderness and the feelings ooze out of the pages, instantly warming the heart.

With human and feline narrators, the storytelling is lively and can make for a good bedtime read for children. The cat portraits give faces to the names of frolicky balls of fur. A more vibrant portfolio of the cats in different settings around the house and garden would have made this into a vibrant coffee table book. The book is a testimony of how caring for fur babies, tugs at your heartstrings and can keep you up at night and days, in anxiety for their well-being. The commitment to care for another living being is not easy and must only be taken up if one is willing to go the extra mile.

The stories of the cats, as told in their voice, are engaging and humorous. You feel drawn into their world. From their experiences with the breeders to waiting for their human family, to antics and escapades, these cats have a full life of adventure. In Uddy's escapades, the author seems to be channeling Orwell's Animal Farm, including a visionary piglet. There is a reference to Elon Musk's feline alter ego, and it's hilarious - "What you need, Uddy is to go to Mars. But hurry up before that human gets ahead of you, that Mewlon Husk,” he advised. I would have loved more farm stories but it was a small part of the larger feline saga.

This is a great book to understand the world of cats, particularly, Maine Coons. As it is with life, the cats face losses and challenges, but with love and care, they bounce back. With the largesse of the heart, even a small home can become a heaven for little bundles of joy. The cat family grows by leaps and bounds and there is much joy to be shared and observed. Freddy's Magic Garden is a perfect book for animal lovers and if you can not get enough of these stories, then like me, you can top it up with a 2022 Netflix film - Inside the mind of a cat.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice set of stories involving a herd of kitties and how they all, in many different ways ended up in homes or some such.

As a whole, the stories are for cat lovers, as I am. The canine set may not be as enthusiastic. I'll write that this book is a perfect gift for fellow kitty supporters.

Each tale is well plotted and thought out. The arrangement of stories mostly work. There's a bunch of back and forth in time, which makes a bit difficult to follow the order of the couple dozen cats referenced throughout. A thought the author might want to include next time, as is referred, is a family tree of kitties and people.

The writing is OK, but could use tweaking and stronger writing skills. There are context and description issues that could use strengthening. Especially involving settings.

For a self-published book, this volume has better editing than books being tossed on to the market by current large publishers (Whatever those are anymore.).

This book has been available for review via NetGalley.com.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of 10 points.

[Allison (Azyrre) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free Kindle copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads and the author for my free copy.

This was a really cute book. It's full of lots of little stories that piece together the life of a "crazy cat lady" as she collects and cares for several cats (and one little hedgehog!). The stories are told from varying perspectives, mostly from the cat Freddy who is the main character, but occasionally from his human Mum, and sometimes from one of the other cats. It's a little sad in a few places, but overall very positive and cute. The language and style is simple, and easy to understand, and it's both child-appropriate and entertaining for adults. Overall it's a fun, uplifting read for cat lovers.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kittens and cats are very smart. Angelina Dayan owns seven Maine Coons. She shares a tale about a cat family who is desperately looking for a new home. Unfortunately, they are about to become thrown about by a construction company.
Angelina Dayan 's actions speak many words. She loves cats. If it takes going from house to house to find them, she will do it. She leaves her phone number wherever possible. Will she make a good mother for these cats? Yes! She already has seven Maine Coons to prove it. While "Freddy's Magic Garden: Incredible Cat Stories," is full of fun shenanigans done by the cats, there are also sad stories. One person locks a cat in a dark room. Her philosophy is obedience before pleasure. The book is a delight.