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Gypsy
Gypsy Hardcover – September 7, 1951 by Kate Seredy (Author) This is the story of a cat written by Seredy and illustrated by her with powerful and beautiful full page lithos throughout.
63 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1951
100 people want to read
About the author
Kate Seredy
75 books93 followersSeredy (Serédy Kató) was a gifted writer and illustrator, born in Hungary, who moved to the United States in 1922.
Seredy received a diploma to teach art from the Academy of Arts in Budapest. During World War I Seredy travelled to Paris and worked as a combat nurse. After the war she illustrated several books in Hungary.
She is best known for The Good Master, written in 1935, and for the Newbery Award winner, The White Stag.
Seredy received a diploma to teach art from the Academy of Arts in Budapest. During World War I Seredy travelled to Paris and worked as a combat nurse. After the war she illustrated several books in Hungary.
She is best known for The Good Master, written in 1935, and for the Newbery Award winner, The White Stag.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 2, 2020
Opening as Gypsy the cat lies secluded with her newborn kittens, and then flashing back to Gypsy's own days as a kitten, this lovely picture-book follows its eponymous feline heroine through the many stages of her development from brand new kitten to brand new mother. Gypsy learns the ways of cats - the 'first rule' of cleanliness, the pleasure of purring, the use of tail and claws - and then, when her adventuring takes her into a strange new world, the ways of humans. As a mature cat, who is allowed to come and go from her humans' house, she learns the ways of the wild, always observing, always storing away the knowledge of the world around her. One day she finds what she has been, all unknowingly, looking for, and takes a mate. Kittens, and the true wisdom of motherhood are not long to follow...
A beautiful book, one which pairs evocative, poetic text with breathtakingly realistic and delightful artwork in sepia tones, Gypsy is a picture-book that all cat-lovers would cherish, if they happened upon it. I only wish that I had encountered it first as a child, as I feel sure it would have been a perennial favorite! Written and illustrated by Kate Seredy, the Hungarian-American children's writer who was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1938 for her novel, The White Stag , this wonderful book is sadly now long out-of-print, and somewhat difficult to obtain. This seems a shame, because although some elements might feel a little dated - many cat-lovers these days would frown on the idea of an indoor-outdoor cat, although at the time of publication (1951) it would have been unremarkable - in general Gypsy is still a book with immense appeal. Every single illustration was beautiful - my favorites included the scene in which Gypsy lies with her children, as well as the one where she plays with her human's glasses as a young kitten - and many of the passages were thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. When Seredy writes on the first page of Gyspy's purr being "a song without words," of her tucking her kittens into "the gently curved crescent of herself," I felt a sense of delight and recognition that only increased as the story progressed. Highly, highly recommended to anyone looking for children's stories featuring cats, or for gorgeous book illustrations.
A beautiful book, one which pairs evocative, poetic text with breathtakingly realistic and delightful artwork in sepia tones, Gypsy is a picture-book that all cat-lovers would cherish, if they happened upon it. I only wish that I had encountered it first as a child, as I feel sure it would have been a perennial favorite! Written and illustrated by Kate Seredy, the Hungarian-American children's writer who was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1938 for her novel, The White Stag , this wonderful book is sadly now long out-of-print, and somewhat difficult to obtain. This seems a shame, because although some elements might feel a little dated - many cat-lovers these days would frown on the idea of an indoor-outdoor cat, although at the time of publication (1951) it would have been unremarkable - in general Gypsy is still a book with immense appeal. Every single illustration was beautiful - my favorites included the scene in which Gypsy lies with her children, as well as the one where she plays with her human's glasses as a young kitten - and many of the passages were thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. When Seredy writes on the first page of Gyspy's purr being "a song without words," of her tucking her kittens into "the gently curved crescent of herself," I felt a sense of delight and recognition that only increased as the story progressed. Highly, highly recommended to anyone looking for children's stories featuring cats, or for gorgeous book illustrations.
March 3, 2020
This delightful book begins with Gypsy as an older cat who has just given birth to four kittens and as she lies contentedly cuddling them knowing that she is now a large, strong being, a source of food of warmth and of safety. And while purring softly she reflects on her own life.
She remembers the time when she first understood that she had to be clean and that washing made her feel good and the good feeling taught her to purr in a sense of satisfaction. She recalls learning to walk after having been carried about by the scruff of her neck by her mother and once she had mastered that she learned to hunt and chase her own tail, the latter which she thought was great fun.
She remembers learning to interact with humans and discovering new smells, new sounds, new shapes as she began to wander further afield in her newly discovered world. And the more she was living in the world of humans she realised that she could tell them apart and she learned the sound of her own name, Gypsy, and also that she was comfortable and happy to be playful with them.
She particularly remembers a door opening and her entry into a new world where she could smell the grass, feel the earth beneath her paws and even enjoy the taste of a grasshopper. And once that door had opened she knew she was able to go in and out as she chose, the door was more or less at her command. Shrubs, tangles of weeds, daylight and under the stars she enjoyed watching the goings on and being aware of the hunters and the hunted. She very quickly learnt her foes and her victims.
Indeed by the time she was full grown, she prowled her world calling aloud in quest of what she did not know. And one night she remembers when her call was answered and she met a soul mate. And she is happy to recall that the love she shared with her mate grew and grew until they became parents and the four kittens that she is cuddling were the result.
All these thoughts make her realise how important her responsibilities as a parent are, the washing, the feeding and the teaching of her four little kittens. The thought of bringing them up is very satisfying and she is content in contemplating her family's future.
Throughout the lovingly told tale, the author provides superb black and white illustrations that draw the reader into Gypsy's family.
She remembers the time when she first understood that she had to be clean and that washing made her feel good and the good feeling taught her to purr in a sense of satisfaction. She recalls learning to walk after having been carried about by the scruff of her neck by her mother and once she had mastered that she learned to hunt and chase her own tail, the latter which she thought was great fun.
She remembers learning to interact with humans and discovering new smells, new sounds, new shapes as she began to wander further afield in her newly discovered world. And the more she was living in the world of humans she realised that she could tell them apart and she learned the sound of her own name, Gypsy, and also that she was comfortable and happy to be playful with them.
She particularly remembers a door opening and her entry into a new world where she could smell the grass, feel the earth beneath her paws and even enjoy the taste of a grasshopper. And once that door had opened she knew she was able to go in and out as she chose, the door was more or less at her command. Shrubs, tangles of weeds, daylight and under the stars she enjoyed watching the goings on and being aware of the hunters and the hunted. She very quickly learnt her foes and her victims.
Indeed by the time she was full grown, she prowled her world calling aloud in quest of what she did not know. And one night she remembers when her call was answered and she met a soul mate. And she is happy to recall that the love she shared with her mate grew and grew until they became parents and the four kittens that she is cuddling were the result.
All these thoughts make her realise how important her responsibilities as a parent are, the washing, the feeding and the teaching of her four little kittens. The thought of bringing them up is very satisfying and she is content in contemplating her family's future.
Throughout the lovingly told tale, the author provides superb black and white illustrations that draw the reader into Gypsy's family.
February 16, 2015
Just got this book as a gift to myself. First edition, signed by author w/dust jacket. In great condition. Have a penchant for children's books about cats. (Crazy cat lady that I am) The pencil-charcoal illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. Sweet story from another time. Big sigh--I'm such a softie!!
June 13, 2021
What a simple, yet emotive book that depicts a cats journey from kitten to grown cat The journey of leaving one nest to all the discoveries of growing up and then eventually making a nest of her own and the contentment she feels. A beautifully written story that will delight children and adults alike.
December 5, 2021
VERY WELL DONE ART WORK-REALISTIC
June 11, 2009
This is a sweet little book about the life of a cat who is now a mama. The illustrations are beautiful and incredibly life-like. Cat-lovers, especially, will not want to miss out on this simple but charming story.
April 17, 2015
Mother cat remembers her life after giving birth to her kittens. Nonfiction aspect and feel.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews