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A Friend Like Ben: the Cat That Came Home for Christmas.
by
Julia Romp
The heart-warming true story of a little boy and the cat that changed his life.
Julia’s nine-year-old son George was autistic. Quiet and withdrawn, he appeared lost in his own world. Then one day a small black-and-white stray cat appeared in her garden and George’s face lit up.
George bonded with Ben and began to open up to his mother as well. For three happy years, the trio...more
Julia’s nine-year-old son George was autistic. Quiet and withdrawn, he appeared lost in his own world. Then one day a small black-and-white stray cat appeared in her garden and George’s face lit up.
George bonded with Ben and began to open up to his mother as well. For three happy years, the trio...more
Hardcover
Published
by HarperCollins
(first published January 1st 2010)
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Not nearly as precious as the title and cover would make one think. This is a matter-of-fact and remarkable story about the struggles of a young, single mom who was both devoted to and exhausted by her autistic son. A stray cat and the boy fall in love with each other at first sight. The cat, known as Ben or Baboo, teaches the author's son to express love, helps him set his imagination free, and becomes the cornerstone of the family.
Oct 15, 2012
Vilija Pauliukonis
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
brit-lit,
memoirs-and-bios
Ok, sure, I noticed the adorable kitten on the cover first. The second thing to catch my eye, though, was an endorsement by Temple Grandin, who I very much admire. The Cat Who... is a wonderful, if poorly titled, read about a boy with autism who learns to open up because of adopting a cat. The title is a misfit because it makes it sound as if the book is focused on one particular event, which is not the case--the title is the book's climax. I thoroughly recommend this book for those who are inte...more
Courtesy of Penguin Group Plume through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
A heart-touching book that let's us take a peak in to Julia Romp's life as a single young mother and her son. Julia always knew that George was different, but no one would listen to her for years when she said that George had problems, in fact, most insisted that he would eventually grow out of it. That day never came and after ten years George was finally looked into seriously and was diagnosed with autism. Thoug...more
A heart-touching book that let's us take a peak in to Julia Romp's life as a single young mother and her son. Julia always knew that George was different, but no one would listen to her for years when she said that George had problems, in fact, most insisted that he would eventually grow out of it. That day never came and after ten years George was finally looked into seriously and was diagnosed with autism. Thoug...more
Julia Romp tells us of her life with her autistic son, George, before autism became the buzzword it is now. No one would listen when she told them that George had problems thorey would just say "he will grow out of it". Fortunately she had all kinds of support from her 3 siblings and her parents. Life was very tough because Julia could go almost nowhere without George in tow and then there were a great deal of stares as George's behaviors grew more and more out of control. When, a stray kitten e...more
I bought this book at Target of all places. A total impluse buy, just because the cat on the cover looked like mine. It turned out to be a good decision because this is the best cat book that I have ever read! I can hardly believe that it was the author's first book! Julia Romp was a single mom raising a son with ausbergers and having a hard time connecting with him, when a stray cat turned up in their shed. Her son, George, instantly connected with the cat who they named Ben, and little by litt...more
It’s a well-known fact that having a pet can be very healing, but author Julia Romp didn’t know just how true that was until a cat named Ben entered her life. Julia’s son, George, is autistic, although he wasn’t formally diagnosed until he was nearly ten-years-old. Julia just knew that George was different from other children, and although she yearned to be able to be closer to him, he was unable to make the emotional connection she craved. Then a stray cat came along who profoundly changed thei...more
As so many others have mentioned, the cover with the cute kitten is a bit misleading, but was a very smart marketing choice! Obviously many of us picked it up because of it, and then fell in love with the story even though it was quite different than what we expected.
Julia Romp shares her true life story of being a single mom to an autistic child named George. Despite her deep love and devotion to her son, she can never seem to get through to his world until Ben arrives (the cat depicted on the...more
Julia Romp shares her true life story of being a single mom to an autistic child named George. Despite her deep love and devotion to her son, she can never seem to get through to his world until Ben arrives (the cat depicted on the...more
Ik koop en lees zelden waargebeurd, ik vind het lezen er van nogal zwaar vallen ... De thema's zijn vaak niet van de poes.
Toen ik meedeed aan de kerstactie van The House of Books had ik eerlijk gezegd niet verwacht te winnen. Maar ik deed het toch! Mijn vriend Ben, een waargebeurd verhaal, kwam mijn richting uit.
Ik kan maar één ding zeggen, ik heb genoten en net geen traantje gelaten.
In het begin dacht ik: 'het gaat toch over een kat?' want in het eerste deel komt die niet voor en ik voelde mi...more
Toen ik meedeed aan de kerstactie van The House of Books had ik eerlijk gezegd niet verwacht te winnen. Maar ik deed het toch! Mijn vriend Ben, een waargebeurd verhaal, kwam mijn richting uit.
Ik kan maar één ding zeggen, ik heb genoten en net geen traantje gelaten.
In het begin dacht ik: 'het gaat toch over een kat?' want in het eerste deel komt die niet voor en ik voelde mi...more
Ho un debole per le storie con gli animali, so già che alla fine piangerò, ma non riesco ad evitarli. In questo caso poi si tratta di una bellissima storia vera che l'autrice ha deciso di condividere col mondo. Julia è una madre single con un figlio un po' complicato. George ha problemi a relazionarsi con gli altri, è chiuso in un mondo tutto suo, ha ritardi nell'apprendimento, comportamenti e manie molto bizzarre e reazioni violente. Solo dopo molti anni di esami, di psicologi e dottori a Julia...more
Ben is geen gewone kat. Het kleine zwart-witte zwervertje in Julia’s tuin in Londen is vies en argwanend. Wanneer het ziek wordt krijgt Julia het beestje toch te pakken. Julia’s negenjarige zoon George is autistisch. Hij leeft eenzaam in zijn eigen stille wereldje. Maar dat verandert door de komst van de kat. Ben en George spelen samen en krijgen een hechte band. George praat weer met zijn moeder – en dat heeft Ben voor elkaar gekregen. Drie jaar lang is het trio onafscheidelijk. Tot er een ramp...more
Je ne suis pas adepte des témoignages mais celui-ci m'a vraiment séduit par son thème. La rencontre d'un enfant autiste très renfermé sur lui-même et d'un petit chat.
J'ai adoré, ce livre m'a énormément touchée. La maman, à travers le récit, nous montre que les préjugés ont vraiment la dent dure et peuvent blesser : parce que le gamin fait des crises en public, on la taxe de mauvaise mère qui ne sait pas élever son enfant alors que les gens ignorent tout de leur vie. Sacrée remise en question, ca...more
J'ai adoré, ce livre m'a énormément touchée. La maman, à travers le récit, nous montre que les préjugés ont vraiment la dent dure et peuvent blesser : parce que le gamin fait des crises en public, on la taxe de mauvaise mère qui ne sait pas élever son enfant alors que les gens ignorent tout de leur vie. Sacrée remise en question, ca...more
First off, ignore the cute kitten in the Santa hat.
Ben, the cat in the book, is a stray adult cat from the very first appearance.
It's sad that the publishers have to sell this book with a false cutesy kitten, but I suppose needs must.
Most of this book isn't even about Ben, it's about Julia Romp and her experience of raising her severely autistic son George. George wasn't like other babies and would scream, never sleep, never interact but Julia was constantly told "he'd grow out of it". It wasn't...more
Ben, the cat in the book, is a stray adult cat from the very first appearance.
It's sad that the publishers have to sell this book with a false cutesy kitten, but I suppose needs must.
Most of this book isn't even about Ben, it's about Julia Romp and her experience of raising her severely autistic son George. George wasn't like other babies and would scream, never sleep, never interact but Julia was constantly told "he'd grow out of it". It wasn't...more
I bought this book because I'm a sucker for animal stories, it was until I started reading it that I realised the author is from Hounslow and lives in Isleworth (which is my home town) - I think in a way that helped my enjoyment of the book more, because even though she doesn't mention specific locations by name I think I made some pretty accurate guesses about which council estates she was talking about! Not to mention the Hounslow animal welfare society she now helps out at is where my mum and...more
Book #82 Read in 2012
The Cat Who Came Back For Christmas by Julia Romp
Julia Romp's memoir is about much more than just their wonderful cat, Ben (Baboo). Julia is a single mother to George, who is autistic. This book details her struggle to connect with her son and Ben is the key--George connects with this cat in a way that he has never connected before with another living being. Ben gets George to talk more, to connect with his mother and to get him touch with his emotions--all things that Julia...more
The Cat Who Came Back For Christmas by Julia Romp
Julia Romp's memoir is about much more than just their wonderful cat, Ben (Baboo). Julia is a single mother to George, who is autistic. This book details her struggle to connect with her son and Ben is the key--George connects with this cat in a way that he has never connected before with another living being. Ben gets George to talk more, to connect with his mother and to get him touch with his emotions--all things that Julia...more
Great book about a single Mom in England raising her autistic son and how a raggedy, stray cat changes their lives for the better. Her son, George, was born in 1996 and by 2000 was entered into the public school system there. Given that he was what I would consider on the "severe" spectrum for autism from the moment he was born with some of the more obvious symptoms of autisum, (can't tolerate being held or touched - ever, non-stop screaming for the first couple years of his life, doesn't sleep...more
Julia Romp's nine year old son George is autistic, and despite all of her efforts, Julia found it impossible to get through to her son. One day a stray black and white kitten appeared in their garden, he was in bad shape. When George saw the small kitten his face lit up with excitement. Julia began to feed the kitten, setting up a carrier with blanket in the garden shed and checked on the cat daily, hoping to cage it and take it to the vet. Eventually, her plan worked and, "Ben" the kitten came...more
George was a handful at first, crying for hours on end, never sleeping. Julia tried everything to please her son. He then grew to be withdrawn and quiet, in his own little world. George was finally diagnosed as autistic and even with a diagnosis things didn't get any easier. Until one day a small black and white stray cat appeared in their garden and George's face just lit up. He named the kitty Ben and George started to open up to his mother. He was like a different little boy. Until one day wh...more
Great story of how a small cat brought an autistic boy out of his shell and helped him to communicate with his family! Very touching!
If it's not a classic, I tend not to read or review holiday books. There are a slew of them every year at this time - almost uniformly heartwarming and sentimental. I just don't do heartwarming and sentimental, too often it just makes my teeth hurt because its overly sweet.
I was sold, however, on The Cat Who Came Back for Christmas - it was partly the cover (yes, it's a super cute kitten) and partly that I'm really missing my cat, Tucker, who left this world in October. It was risky, this book,...more
I was sold, however, on The Cat Who Came Back for Christmas - it was partly the cover (yes, it's a super cute kitten) and partly that I'm really missing my cat, Tucker, who left this world in October. It was risky, this book,...more
This book is about a woman named Julia who lives in London with her family. She gets pregnant at an early age with a guy she barely knows. When she gives birth to her son, she immediately starts recognizing strange habits, like all the crying he does, which she finds unusual.
When George, her son, is around three years old, she decides to move out and rent an estate. George starts school and he misbehaves and doesn't listen to his teachers. Julia is called in to talk to the principle at least on...more
When George, her son, is around three years old, she decides to move out and rent an estate. George starts school and he misbehaves and doesn't listen to his teachers. Julia is called in to talk to the principle at least on...more
I got this because I was looking for something heartwarming for the holiday season... I was expecting it to be a little romance story or something, instead it is the true story of a single mom raising an Autistic boy in England. Through the adoption of a stray cat the young boy learns to express himself and share his emotions and enjoy his life... then the cat disappears and so do his new-found abilities and joy. After several months away the cat is found 70 miles away and returns in time for 't...more
The story of a single mom, and autistic child, and the stray cat who made them a family. As a cat lover (and the owner of a once-stray cat who turned out to be the most special animal, ever), I completely related to the love that this animal brought to the family. This book made me laugh, cry, and feel for the mother of a child who was unable to show any feelings or emotions until a small cat opened up his world.
A quick read--read the entire book in less than four hours--but I couldn't put it d...more
A quick read--read the entire book in less than four hours--but I couldn't put it d...more
3.75/5 - More appropriately entitled "A Friend Like Ben" in the UK, this book is really about the author's experience raising an autistic child and how the arrival of a stray cat named Ben (whom her son calls "Baboo") helped him to learn to communicate and develop affection. The cat does go missing for a significant amount of time. I won't spoil it by telling how he returns but it was really quite moving.
The grammatical errors in dialogue are a little annoying so I had to remind myself it's ver...more
The grammatical errors in dialogue are a little annoying so I had to remind myself it's ver...more
I enjoyed this book. It's a good look into the life of a mom, her son, and life with autism. I've worked with kids in Sunday school and church camp who were on the spectrum, and seen parents go through similar kinds of things with doctors, teachers, etc., trying to get a diagnosis. Very often it's a pet that brings the child out, just as in this case. Wonderful to have George's input, too. As a cat lover, I fell hook, line and sinker for Ben. Excellent read for teachers, parents, and anyone inte...more
This is a beautiful book. The true story, told by Julia, a single mum with an autistic son. Her every day struggle to bring up George, to protect him and her love for him; her dedication. The breakthrough for George and Julia comes when a stray cat Ben finds them.
It's a book for anyone who has any connection to autism; for animal lovers; and for sheer enjoyment.
As predicted it made my cry. My very grateful thanks to my Mum, who bought me this book for Christmas.
And my very best wishes to the aut...more
It's a book for anyone who has any connection to autism; for animal lovers; and for sheer enjoyment.
As predicted it made my cry. My very grateful thanks to my Mum, who bought me this book for Christmas.
And my very best wishes to the aut...more
"How do you say goodbye to the person who ties you to the earth and stops you flying away with his jokes, kind words and quiet love?"
"Most of all I learned that when you do something for other people, you do something for yourself too..."
"...because it's amazing how emotional you can get after you've been coping for so long and someone suddenly says, 'That's a bit of a load, isn't it?'"
"'Of course, Mum. It's good to help people. Don't you know that? I thought everyone knew that.'"
"Most of all I learned that when you do something for other people, you do something for yourself too..."
"...because it's amazing how emotional you can get after you've been coping for so long and someone suddenly says, 'That's a bit of a load, isn't it?'"
"'Of course, Mum. It's good to help people. Don't you know that? I thought everyone knew that.'"
Get your pets microchipped is my #1 takeaway message of this book. My 2 cats will get theirs at their next vet check.
Thank goodness for this cat and boy (and mom)finding each other. One of our cats was unintended but we got him when one of my sons said, "but we've bonded, I can't leave him!", and indeed that cat stays with his boy most of the time when we are at home. They are important to each other, but nothing like Ben is essential to George.
Thank goodness for this cat and boy (and mom)finding each other. One of our cats was unintended but we got him when one of my sons said, "but we've bonded, I can't leave him!", and indeed that cat stays with his boy most of the time when we are at home. They are important to each other, but nothing like Ben is essential to George.
A highly emotional book! I've read quite a few books where animals help children to express themselves to their desperate parents, and Ben or Baboo as he's called, was no different. But it was when Ben went missing that the story really takes a turn for the worst, with all the progress George has made falling away. A really good book, and really well written too. Highly recommended!
A heartwarming story of the connection between an autistic boy & a cat. I admit I only picked this book up from the library because I knew my daughter would love the cover. But I was impressed what an interesting & easy read it ended up being. I also enjoyed that it was based in England. Highly recommend but expect to use some tissues at the end :)
I love books about cats. When I saw the adorable kitten on the cover of the book, I desperately wanted to read it. After finishing the book, I was disappointed. Most of the book was about the author's son. The book was mostly about his struggle with autism and how it affected his mother. The cat, Ben, first shows up about a fourth of the way through the book. He only stays in the book for a little while. Once Ben goes missing, the book becomes about George's autism again. They do talk about the...more
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“Non sapevo perché a George piacesse quel gatto; forse si trattava solo di un interesse passeggero, o forse il
bambino sentiva una certa affinità con quell’animale sfortunato per il quale essere accettato dal mondo era difficile come lo era per lui. Tuttavia, per un attimo avevo intravisto in mio figlio un barlume di
affetto, una cosa che avevo sperato di vedergli manifestare fin da quando era nato. E questo sentimento era ricambiato dal gatto. Per me era sufficiente.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
bambino sentiva una certa affinità con quell’animale sfortunato per il quale essere accettato dal mondo era difficile come lo era per lui. Tuttavia, per un attimo avevo intravisto in mio figlio un barlume di
affetto, una cosa che avevo sperato di vedergli manifestare fin da quando era nato. E questo sentimento era ricambiato dal gatto. Per me era sufficiente.”
Dec 14, 2012 08:56am