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420th out of 2,250 books
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3,496 voters
The Christmas Day Kitten
"Christmas can never go by without my remembering a certain little cat."
So begins The Christmas Day Kitten, another true story from James Herriot's rich experience as a country vet. As always, the tale includes a vivid group of characters on two legs and four: Mrs. Pickering and her three stately Basset hounds, James himself, and Debbie, the self-possesed stray cat who mak
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So begins The Christmas Day Kitten, another true story from James Herriot's rich experience as a country vet. As always, the tale includes a vivid group of characters on two legs and four: Mrs. Pickering and her three stately Basset hounds, James himself, and Debbie, the self-possesed stray cat who mak
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
September 15th 1993
by St. Martin's Griffin
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Dec 16, 2009
Dolly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
This is a sweet tale - sad, but heartwarming at the same time. It's a simple story, alledgedly true, and is a good tale to read aloud. Our girls enjoyed the book, especially the illustrations.
I haven't read any of Herroit's work yet so I can't compare to his famous novels but this is a nice, old-fashioned story about the dear country vet who happens to help out with a stray cat who visits a village lady around the holidays. Ruth Brown's illustrations are warm and wonderful.
SPOILER ALERT:
This may not be the best story for all readers since the original cat passes away on Christmas day, although she brings her new kitten to the hearth of the lady whose home she often visited and the ki...more
SPOILER ALERT:
This may not be the best story for all readers since the original cat passes away on Christmas day, although she brings her new kitten to the hearth of the lady whose home she often visited and the ki...more
view all 5 comments
Unlike my sister Ellen, who could read as soon as her eyes opened, I am dyslexic and could not read without assistance until I was about 10. The great thing about that disadvantage was that my parents and siblings read to me constantly. I have so many wonderful memories of being read to as a child. One of my favourite children’s holiday books was “The Christmas Day Kitten” by James Harriot. Heartwarming and wonderful. If you have an animal loving child (or adult!) on your holiday list this year,...more
Nov 30, 2009
Megan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Megan by:
Judy
Shelves:
christmas,
childrens-lit
This is probably my all-time favorite Christmas story, ever.
That being said...Many of you know author James Herriot as Britain's most famous veterinarian (ie: "All Creatures Great and Small").
In the "Christmas Day Kitten", Herriot draws from a true life story about a homeless mother cat who comes to an English farm one stormy Christmas Eve to give birth to her kitten. The story is simple and powerful, but the illustrations bring it to vivid life. I think you would have to have a heart of stone...more
That being said...Many of you know author James Herriot as Britain's most famous veterinarian (ie: "All Creatures Great and Small").
In the "Christmas Day Kitten", Herriot draws from a true life story about a homeless mother cat who comes to an English farm one stormy Christmas Eve to give birth to her kitten. The story is simple and powerful, but the illustrations bring it to vivid life. I think you would have to have a heart of stone...more
Kate found this one on my childhood bookshelf. I believe this is her very first James Herriot story, an author who is one of the landmark storytellers of my childhood. We both loved the story of Debbie, the stray cat who doesn't accept a home for herself, but brings her new kitten to the safest place she knows when she can't take care of him anymore. The story starts out sad, but Buster is so full of life and fun that it's still a great Christmas story.
The tale is a bit bittersweet, but sweet it is! This one will warm your heart. Harriot has a compilation of children's stories out there that we got from the library once and this one was in it (although we've since purchased this story separately) - I need to find that compilation again as it was quite wonderful. Maybe I should give his adult versions a go again; I read them when I was a teenager but never really got into them...
This book is too advanced for Emerson. I checked it out for myself.
I may be the only veterinarian who hasn't read James Herriot. Until tonight.
Very quaint story about a momma cat who brings her kitten into the house. It is sad bc the mother cat does this bc she is ill.
Sad. This is exactly why I've never read Herriot. Not quite old yeller but not something I need in my leisure reading.
I may be the only veterinarian who hasn't read James Herriot. Until tonight.
Very quaint story about a momma cat who brings her kitten into the house. It is sad bc the mother cat does this bc she is ill.
Sad. This is exactly why I've never read Herriot. Not quite old yeller but not something I need in my leisure reading.
A book I liked a lot, as did my children, and we'll read repeatedly. The story is sweet, the artwork is very nice and appealing to children. It is short, but enough of a story/plot to be worthwhile even to adults reading or listening.
This is a true story written by a country vet. It reminds me of the sweet moments and memories in life that combined make it beautiful.
This is a true story written by a country vet. It reminds me of the sweet moments and memories in life that combined make it beautiful.
Good book, but may be best for upper elementary grades. The first cat dies. Also, the vocabulary is kind of advanced for younger grades. I read it to second grade and they didn't get into it much, but they did love the part about the cat that "fetches."
as a child i remember approaching the familiar school library shelf and browsing for a nice story. "the Christmas day kitten", i thought, "how charming." well i was wrong. wrong, wrong, wrong. and i continue to pay for my naivete to this day. i will never forgive james herriot for taking my innocence and chewing it up and vomiting it all over a cozy Christmas scene. now every time i hear the hymn "all things bright and beautiful" i am filled with anger, because that was also the name of one of h...more
If I found this at a discount or thrift store, I would buy it. Otherwise, it can be a library book. Sweet, as are all Herriot stories. Little Girl loved it (but she loves anything kitty).
Be careful reading this to kids unless you've read it first. It's a good story but you've got to know your audience and their relationship to and experience with cats.
after over ten years of not reading this book I love it as much as I did when I first read it many, many years ago.I'm sure I will read it again and again.
(sobbing) I learned (but I always forget) that I shouldn't read soppy children's books at the children's room desk! Boo hoo hooooooo!
A lovely, lovely story that makes me cry every time I read it -- much to my little girl's amusement.
One of my childhood favorites, I still tear up every time I read this story to my kids.
A grandparent gave this to me when I was little and it's been a favourite ever since.
We read this to my boys every year at Christmas. We love this little story
A lovely story of a self-sacrificing mother cat and her offspring.
"Christmas 1990." Kitty stories are better than dog stories any day.
Amazingly sweet story. Great illustrations. Full of love
A cute little story with some lovely illustrations.
A delightful book, bought many years ago for my children.
This one wasn't my favorite of Harriot's, but still good.
I cry every time I read this...
A re-write of a piece in Cat Stories, but written for children. Illustrated by different artist. Wonderful in every way.
Super sweet read-aloud.
Fun but saccharine.
Nice story that's not been dumbed down for younger readers.
I do love James Herriot. The story of Debbie and Buster is one to touch the heart. It shows how even though we may not think we're doing much, the simplest action can be the kindest to animals and creat a relationship of trust and respect.
Short, sweet and absolutely beautiful.
Short, sweet and absolutely beautiful.
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James Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.
In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow...more
More about James Herriot...
In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow...more
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