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Dear Tabby: A Hilarious and Heartwarming Story About a Cat's Advice Column for Kids
Got Troubles? Trying to kick the catnip habit? Itching to ditch those pesky fleas? Sick of the same old "fetch, roll over, stay" routine? Tabby D. Cat can help! Tabby D. Cat, longtime alley resident, has been help-ing the furry and feathered creatures of Critterville for all nine of her lives. From hamsters to hounds, Tabby's advice column has just the right advice for any pet . . . but can Tabby find happiness for herself? From Carolyn Crimi and David Roberts comes this hilarious and heartwarming tale of finicky felines, happiness-seeking hounds, and finding your own place to call home.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Crimi
45 books84 followersCarolyn Crimi, AKA the Pirate Queen, is the author of numerous books for young readers, including BORIS AND BELLA, illustrated by Gris Grimly. Of HENRY AND THE BUCCANEER BUNNIES, she says, "While I don't have long floppy ears or a pro-nounced overbite, Henry and I are kindred spirits, who love books and carrots!"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 6, 2020
A cat answers letters for an advice column. She works from the dumpster. The advice is mostly OK and funny. It was a good laugh and for a while we had the running joke of saying "purrrrrfectly yours".
March 17, 2011
Tabby is set up in the alley with a typewriter and a letter for business as a giver of advice. Table scraps are an acceptable form of payment. The stationary used by each of Tabby's correspondents is wonderfully unique.
My favorite letter may be a longwinded one from Pauline the Parrot. Pauline: "I love to talk and talk and talk and sometimes I do find myself talking too much, but then I remind myself I am a parrot." Tabby's response to Stanky is pretty amusing as well with 'for every saltshaker there's a pepper mill.'
I was startled by the random bear in a tutu in this story, but a few pages later I learned the bear was not as random as I thought. The ending of this book is adorably appropriate, but I do wonder what happened to Boots afterward.
A great extension with perspective taking for this story would be to have students write letters to Tabby and then have them answer other letters as Tabby
I loved finding the letter from the groundhog with this book because I'd just finished reading April Fool, Phyliss, which is about a groundhog family. It also pairs well with Cat Secrets. There is an older, non-picturebook that is also titled Dear Tabby that could make for a fun pairing with older elementary students.
My favorite letter may be a longwinded one from Pauline the Parrot. Pauline: "I love to talk and talk and talk and sometimes I do find myself talking too much, but then I remind myself I am a parrot." Tabby's response to Stanky is pretty amusing as well with 'for every saltshaker there's a pepper mill.'
I was startled by the random bear in a tutu in this story, but a few pages later I learned the bear was not as random as I thought. The ending of this book is adorably appropriate, but I do wonder what happened to Boots afterward.
A great extension with perspective taking for this story would be to have students write letters to Tabby and then have them answer other letters as Tabby
I loved finding the letter from the groundhog with this book because I'd just finished reading April Fool, Phyliss, which is about a groundhog family. It also pairs well with Cat Secrets. There is an older, non-picturebook that is also titled Dear Tabby that could make for a fun pairing with older elementary students.
February 10, 2011
Tabby is an alley cat who pens an animal advice column from his Dumpster home. We see numerous exchanges between Tabby and a bevy of worried critters, from a parrot whose owners detest his talkativeness to a basset hound who waits for happiness but never gets off the porch.
The majority of it is cute, harmless stuff, but one letter in particular will have the veg*ns in my audience cringing. Tabby answers a letter from a bear who has run away from “the Dingaling Sisters Circus.” Why has she run away? Because she “always gets stuck riding the bike with the flashing lights,” and is jealous of her brother, who gets to ride the bike with the horn—the one she likes better. *face palm* Tabby makes sure the bear gets home by passing the note on to the circus, and an opportunity to allude to a real reason a bear might not enjoy captivity in the circus is lost.
The majority of it is cute, harmless stuff, but one letter in particular will have the veg*ns in my audience cringing. Tabby answers a letter from a bear who has run away from “the Dingaling Sisters Circus.” Why has she run away? Because she “always gets stuck riding the bike with the flashing lights,” and is jealous of her brother, who gets to ride the bike with the horn—the one she likes better. *face palm* Tabby makes sure the bear gets home by passing the note on to the circus, and an opportunity to allude to a real reason a bear might not enjoy captivity in the circus is lost.
November 23, 2011
A letter from Stanky Skunque: “Dear Tabby, I’ve been lonely for so long. Something about the white stripes down my back puts everyone off. It’s sort of hard to meet girls when they’re screaming and running away from you. Should I just give up? Love, Stanky
Dear Stanky (ever thought about changing your name, by the way?), Be patient, my fragrant friend! For every saltshaker there’s a pepper mill, for every cup there’s a saucer, and for every ham there’s a cheese. I know that somewhere there’s a gal with the good scents---er, sense---to see the beauty of your inner, stripeless self. In the meantime, try some cologne. Purrfectly yours, Tabby D. Cat”
Tabby D. Cat is an advice columnist who helps animals of all shapes and sizes cope with the problems that occur in their lives, with wit and useful suggestions.
Dear Stanky (ever thought about changing your name, by the way?), Be patient, my fragrant friend! For every saltshaker there’s a pepper mill, for every cup there’s a saucer, and for every ham there’s a cheese. I know that somewhere there’s a gal with the good scents---er, sense---to see the beauty of your inner, stripeless self. In the meantime, try some cologne. Purrfectly yours, Tabby D. Cat”
Tabby D. Cat is an advice columnist who helps animals of all shapes and sizes cope with the problems that occur in their lives, with wit and useful suggestions.
May 30, 2017
The kids and I enjoyed this book. It is probably meant for older preschoolers and young elementary students (it's a tad long for young toddlers).
It's funny and I loved the advice column letter format.
However I also felt it jumped around slightly between the multitude of characters.
Although I liked the ending I would have enjoyed an extra spread showing Tabby.
It's funny and I loved the advice column letter format.
However I also felt it jumped around slightly between the multitude of characters.
Although I liked the ending I would have enjoyed an extra spread showing Tabby.
July 6, 2017
Me and my daughter read this book together.
Got Troubles? Tabby D. Cat can help!
I read the incoming letters from the animals writing to Tabby, and she read the letters from Tabby to the originators. We loved this book, it was funny and enjoyable. It is geared towards elementary children, 1st to 3rd grade.
Got Troubles? Tabby D. Cat can help!
I read the incoming letters from the animals writing to Tabby, and she read the letters from Tabby to the originators. We loved this book, it was funny and enjoyable. It is geared towards elementary children, 1st to 3rd grade.
January 9, 2018
I know this is an Illinois Author and I should be happy and love this book, but I don’t. It’s about a cat who wants to be Dear Abby. Animals in Critterville, IL write in with their problems and Tabby offers advice. The advice is good and everything, but the story is long, and nothing really holding it together.
March 1, 2018
Written in letters 'Dear Abby' style, this exceptionally clever picture book would make for a great read-a-loud for slightly older children (just make sure to do different voices for each character!).
January 30, 2018
adorable idea
January 7, 2019
Just so much fun!
January 30, 2020
Adorable picture book of a cat who answers letters from other animals asking for advice.
May 21, 2020
Read this book a couple of times with the kids. Didn’t like it too much at first. But then it grew on me. Cute story of letters.
March 29, 2011
Tabby is set up in the alley with a typewriter and a letter for business as a giver of advice. Table scraps are an acceptable form of payment. The stationary used by each of Tabby's correspondents is wonderfully unique.
My favorite letter may be a longwinded one from Pauline the Parrot. Pauline: "I love to talk and talk and talk and sometimes I do find myself talking too much, but then I remind myself I am a parrot." Tabby's response to Stanky is pretty amusing as well with 'for every saltshaker there's a pepper mill.'
I was startled by the random bear in a tutu in this story, but a few pages later I learned the bear was not as random as I thought. The ending of this book is adorably appropriate, but I do wonder what happened to Boots afterward.
A great extension with perspective taking for this story would be to have students write letters to Tabby and then have them answer other letters as Tabby
I loved finding the letter from the groundhog with this book because I'd just finished reading April Fool, Phyliss, which is about a groundhog family. It also pairs well with Cat Secrets.
My favorite letter may be a longwinded one from Pauline the Parrot. Pauline: "I love to talk and talk and talk and sometimes I do find myself talking too much, but then I remind myself I am a parrot." Tabby's response to Stanky is pretty amusing as well with 'for every saltshaker there's a pepper mill.'
I was startled by the random bear in a tutu in this story, but a few pages later I learned the bear was not as random as I thought. The ending of this book is adorably appropriate, but I do wonder what happened to Boots afterward.
A great extension with perspective taking for this story would be to have students write letters to Tabby and then have them answer other letters as Tabby
I loved finding the letter from the groundhog with this book because I'd just finished reading April Fool, Phyliss, which is about a groundhog family. It also pairs well with Cat Secrets.
September 10, 2011
DEAR TABBY
AUTHOR Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by David Roberts
HarperCollins Children’s Books 2011
Got Troubles? Tabby D. Cat can help! And so begins the story of Tabby D. Cat, the “Dear Abby” of the pet world. In DEAR TABBY, Tabby gives advice to a cat who is unhappy with her owner, a dog looking for happiness, a parrot who likes to talk but doesn’t like to listen, a circus bear who has run away from the circus, a skunk looking for love, a hamster who’s stuck running in circles, and a groundhog feeling the pressure of his first Groundhog’s Day. Tabby’s advice doesn’t always seem to hit the mark right away, but she somehow manages to help turn their problems around with a successful solution. In the end Tabby even helps herself when she finds a home with someone to love her, and closes with what just might be her best advice yet. Written in Dear Abby style, and complimented by the colorful illustrations with fonts to match the personalities of the authors of their letters, readers get another dose of Crimi’s much-loved humor.
AUTHOR Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by David Roberts
HarperCollins Children’s Books 2011
Got Troubles? Tabby D. Cat can help! And so begins the story of Tabby D. Cat, the “Dear Abby” of the pet world. In DEAR TABBY, Tabby gives advice to a cat who is unhappy with her owner, a dog looking for happiness, a parrot who likes to talk but doesn’t like to listen, a circus bear who has run away from the circus, a skunk looking for love, a hamster who’s stuck running in circles, and a groundhog feeling the pressure of his first Groundhog’s Day. Tabby’s advice doesn’t always seem to hit the mark right away, but she somehow manages to help turn their problems around with a successful solution. In the end Tabby even helps herself when she finds a home with someone to love her, and closes with what just might be her best advice yet. Written in Dear Abby style, and complimented by the colorful illustrations with fonts to match the personalities of the authors of their letters, readers get another dose of Crimi’s much-loved humor.
December 16, 2014
Even pets have problems, but while humans have countless newspaper columns, call-in radio shows and daytime television programs, where can pets go for advice? That’s where Tabby comes in…
One of the things I LOVE about Tabby is that she’s inclusive rather than exclusive. She doesn't only advise her like species, but also birds, dogs, hamsters, and even trained Circus bears!
She’ll also counsel the wilder critter folks, such as a lovelorn skunk who could be Pepe le Pew’s long lost distant cousin. Well. minus the french accent and “Don Juan” complex…
Author Carolyn Crimi nails the epistolary form. Each exchange between the animal inquirer and Tabby short and sweet with tons of personality.
David Roberts illustrations have this hip and slick retro style that still feels contemporary, and in this era of digital communications, seeing the use of paper, pencils, and typewriters delights the nostalgia buff in me.
-Abridged version of the original review at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
One of the things I LOVE about Tabby is that she’s inclusive rather than exclusive. She doesn't only advise her like species, but also birds, dogs, hamsters, and even trained Circus bears!
She’ll also counsel the wilder critter folks, such as a lovelorn skunk who could be Pepe le Pew’s long lost distant cousin. Well. minus the french accent and “Don Juan” complex…
Author Carolyn Crimi nails the epistolary form. Each exchange between the animal inquirer and Tabby short and sweet with tons of personality.
David Roberts illustrations have this hip and slick retro style that still feels contemporary, and in this era of digital communications, seeing the use of paper, pencils, and typewriters delights the nostalgia buff in me.
-Abridged version of the original review at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
March 4, 2013
Dear Tabby by Carolyn Crimi ended up being fortuitous. In the style of Dear Abby, Tabby D. Cat replies to letters from unhappy cats.
Each letter is written in a unique voice. There is one cat in particular who complains about being too pampered. He's a house cat who wants to see the world and doesn't want to be played with.
Through Tabby D. Cat's responses, though, children learn that Tabby is a stray. Tabby wishes for a "Forever Home." But not every cat wants the same thing. Some like children. Some don't. Some like the indoors, and some don't. Can Tabby help everyone find what they need and find what she needs too?
About two months after we first read this book, we were adopted by Tortuga who desperately needed her own Forever Home. Since then we've talked about Dear Tabby and the different cats, especially Tabby who wanted a home.
Each letter is written in a unique voice. There is one cat in particular who complains about being too pampered. He's a house cat who wants to see the world and doesn't want to be played with.
Through Tabby D. Cat's responses, though, children learn that Tabby is a stray. Tabby wishes for a "Forever Home." But not every cat wants the same thing. Some like children. Some don't. Some like the indoors, and some don't. Can Tabby help everyone find what they need and find what she needs too?
About two months after we first read this book, we were adopted by Tortuga who desperately needed her own Forever Home. Since then we've talked about Dear Tabby and the different cats, especially Tabby who wanted a home.
November 8, 2011
Despite being a longtime alley resident, Tabby D. Cat has a knack for helping fellow critters of Critterville. Letters written by a spoiled cat, an unhappy hound, a chatty parrot, an exhausted hamster, a disgruntled bear and a stinky skunk all have one thing in common: they desperately need advice from Tabby D. Cat. While Tabby dishes out advice can she find her own happiness as well?
This is cleverly created and kids will be amused by the issues and advice of the animals. The illustrations enhance the text and add humor to the story. The letter format of the book, the length of the book, and some of the humor may limit the audience to older grades. However, I think that young children would enjoy having this read to them.
This is cleverly created and kids will be amused by the issues and advice of the animals. The illustrations enhance the text and add humor to the story. The letter format of the book, the length of the book, and some of the humor may limit the audience to older grades. However, I think that young children would enjoy having this read to them.
March 1, 2011
Tabby D. Cat responds in "Dear Abby" fashion to letters from animals with situations they feel need addressing. If read to a storytime audience, pacing and voices would be vital in delivery to keep it moving (not for beginners, in other words). I ran out of breath reading to my audience of two---what can I say, I'm out of shape. The ending is super heartwarming and sweet...and well worth the journey through each letter and response. Underneath the letter is a single message of making our own happiness happen by opening up our eyes to the joys of life. Deep for adults, fun for kids. A winner!
November 6, 2011
Tabby D. Cat is an advice writing cat. A spoiled cat, parrot, skunk, circus bear, hamster, ground hog and basset hound all write to Tabby for advice. Each situation is resolved, though some more fully than others. A great example for students learning to write letters. I also think this book would work well for students who need a nudge to understand others' perspectives.
Recommended for grades 2 - 4, kids will find humor in each animal's situation and Tabby's succinct, spot on advice.
Confession: I love, love, love advice columns. The worse the advice, the more I like them.
Recommended for grades 2 - 4, kids will find humor in each animal's situation and Tabby's succinct, spot on advice.
Confession: I love, love, love advice columns. The worse the advice, the more I like them.
March 24, 2016
Tabby D. Cat opens an advice business for pets. She helps a chatty parrot learn to be a good listener, a smelly skunk find true love, and dizzy hamster get off the wheel and smell the cedar chips. But there is one customer who is never happy. Boots the cat dislikes his owner's insistence that he eat sardines, wear sweaters, and play baby in the carriage so he decides to run away. Tabby who lives in an alley, eats scraps for dinner, and is cold at night, finds the purrrfect solution to his own problem when Boots take off.
September 22, 2011
This picture book is so funny, my son and I split a side! Told in an epistolary format, Tabby gives advice to a spoiled cat, a lonely hound, a loquacious parrot, a skunk looking for love, etc. "Dear Stanky (ever thought about changing your name, by the way?), Be patient, my fragrant friend! For every saltshaker there's a peppermill, for every cup, there's a saucer, and for every ham there's a cheese...."
AND David Roberts is one of my all-time favorite illustrators (Think Dunderheads).
AND David Roberts is one of my all-time favorite illustrators (Think Dunderheads).
March 24, 2011
Tabby lives in a dumpster and shares her advice with her furry readers on their troubles. From the very takative Pauline to the odorous Skanky, Tabby offers advice that kids will find humorous and enjoyable. The pictures a big and bright. Crimi has done a wonderful job of incorporating the book into an newspaper editor style that wa quite enjoyable.
August 19, 2013
This book is told in letters to Tabby D. Cat. The cat answers questions from anyone writes him, not just cats. Even if he doesn't have an answer he always answers with a letter of his own.
My favorite letter is from Fizzy the Hamster who just keeps running and never going anywhere.
This should be a smash with preschoolers or older.
My favorite letter is from Fizzy the Hamster who just keeps running and never going anywhere.
This should be a smash with preschoolers or older.
May 12, 2016
Dear Tabby by Carolyn Crimi is a humorous book for school-age pet-lovers due to the length of text. Written in the form of letters, various unhappy pets seek advice from Tabby who responds in delightful, tongue-in-cheek responses. Delightful read coupled with humorous illustrations by David Roberts. Love it!
February 20, 2011
This is another one that made me chuckle this morning. Dear Tabby is a play on Dear Abby. An alley cat goes about answering questions from various animals and providing advice. I love the ending.
April 16, 2011
This is a fabulous, fun, lighthearted book! Told in epistolary style as various animals write to Tabby for advice (as a regular Dear Abby reader I love this!). Tabby helps out everyone, including herself, giving this story a very happy ending!
July 27, 2011
I have plenty advice for the cats I meet -- not that they're interested in hearing it. But I really should be taking advice from a cat, namely, our Dear Tabby. This book is pitch-perfect feline hilarity with charming, witty art by David Roberts.
July 30, 2011
Parents will, of course, get the Dear Abby reference right away, but that doesn't mean that kids won't enjoy this riff on an advice-dispensing cat. Author Crimi does a great job bringing a larger meaning and story to this concept, with Tabby herself finding a happy home at the end.
November 28, 2011
Fun book to read. A variety of animals send in letters to Tabby for advice (and Tabby responds). I loved that some of the animals were repeat writers so readers could follow their personal saga... A great book with a lot of humor.
January 19, 2013
What a hoot! Reminiscent of Dear Mr. Mutt, this feline provides witty advice to all kinds of animals, not just her own kind. Excellent illustrations, Tabby's facial expressions add much to the story. A cat book even dog lovers will enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews