crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
The author took the old Dick Whittington story and developed it with a current day story of a cat.
It reminded me of the barn in Charlotte's Web with all of the animals talking and telling stories.
It reminded me of the barn in Charlotte's Web with all of the animals talking and telling stories.
jonie_rich's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
darcyak's review against another edition
3.0
Listened on audio. Kids seemed to enjoy, Cas more than Helen.
aeslis's review against another edition
2.0
There are three simultaneous stories. There is the story of the animals at the barn, and how new faces keep appearing, most of them outcasts that become a family. There is the story of Ben, the son of the man who owns the barn, and how he cannot read because of his dyslexia. Then there is the story of Dick Whittington, told by Whittington the cat to the barn members.
This was awkwardly done. While I found Dick's story the most interesting, I simply could not believe that Whittington the cat knew anything about traveling at sea, dowries, or the way people preserved foods in Dick's time. It was far too detailed and well-researched for a cat to be able to recite.
This was awkwardly done. While I found Dick's story the most interesting, I simply could not believe that Whittington the cat knew anything about traveling at sea, dowries, or the way people preserved foods in Dick's time. It was far too detailed and well-researched for a cat to be able to recite.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
Whittington the cat has been through a lot and he has stories to tell. After joining the other animals on Bernie's farm, he tells them the story of the person he was named after. Dick Whittington was a poor, half-starved child when he set off for London. By the time he died, he was lord mayor of London and rich beyond his wildest dreams. He owed all his success to his cat. Whittington's story is interspersed with the modern-day story of young Ben, Bernie's grandson who is dyslexic and having trouble learning to read. The barn animals and Ben's sister rally to help him.
Beautiful writing really help set the tone in this book. Alan Armstrong's description of life in the barn really brings you in to the story. It's not action-packed. It's a more relaxed book and I don't think it will appeal to everyone, but to those kids looking for a quiet read that will take them away, I recommend this book.
Readalike suggestions: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, Poppy by Avi
Beautiful writing really help set the tone in this book. Alan Armstrong's description of life in the barn really brings you in to the story. It's not action-packed. It's a more relaxed book and I don't think it will appeal to everyone, but to those kids looking for a quiet read that will take them away, I recommend this book.
Readalike suggestions: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, Poppy by Avi
kyuropii's review against another edition
5.0
It won't do any justice not to review my only five-star book for 2016. This book actually promises more than the blurb. For me, this is not a book about simple animals talking, not just the lovely story of Whittington, but life itself. It's funny that this slight retelling of the story of the famous Dick Whittington would leave me smiling, thinking, and pondering about life for a whole hour of reading.
Sorry but it's impossible for me to describe Whittington with so much professing intense love for it.
Sorry but it's impossible for me to describe Whittington with so much professing intense love for it.
librarybrods's review against another edition
The audio CDs were skipping and I was also put off by some if the language used. I tried to tough it out, but when the 3rd (out if 4) cd stopped playing altogether I decided to give up. I knew I wouldn't rate it above a 2 anyway- it takes a special story for me to get into animal narrators and this wasn't it for me. Alas.