Bernie keeps a barn full of animals the rest of the world has no use for–two retired trotters, a rooster, some banty hens, and a Muscovy duck...
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Oct 01, 2011
Dominic
rated it: 
At times charming and lovely, Whittington is a strangely ambitious tale that tries to weave three--possibly even four--narratives together, and only sometimes hits the mark. The characters are endearing (especially for a cat lover), and most of the storylines are enjoyable. Yet many of the chapters, even some of the best, ended abruptly and transitioned awkwardly. In the end, I'm not sure how powerfully they hold together as a finished work.
All the same, this is a fine book for ch More...
All the same, this is a fine book for ch More...
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Oct 28, 2011
Sarah
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Whittington tells the story of a barn cat named Whittington. The cat, Whittington is named after Dick Whittington, a boy who earned his way in life and became a wealthy merchant in the Middle Ages in Europe. This man’s story is told through the cat Whittington, who lives in a barn on a small acreage with several other animals. Whittington was written by Alan W. Armstrong. I think the appropriate age group for this book is 8 and up.
Although parents should know that a young boy is wounded More...
Although parents should know that a young boy is wounded More...
Feb 17, 2011
Bette
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This book is in the tradition of EB White's classic "Charlotte's Web." However, it is not in the same league, despite its Newbery honor award. There are too many stories going on at once. There's the story of the animals in the barn, which isn't much of a story. There's the story of "Dick Whittington & His Cat," told by his descendant, Whittington. And then there's Ben's battle with dyslexia, which seems put in the book to give hope to kids with reading difficulties. I see ho
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Nov 12, 2010
Sheri
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I think this is a Middle Grade book, my son brought it home from school. I've never read a book in the Omniscient POV before and not sure I liked it that way. But the story was good, the animals enchanting. My son and I were both in agreement that neither of us liked the way the story ended however. It felt like the author, Alan Armstrong, didn't know how to end it and just made something up in two pages--and that was it. The End. We were both left wondering, "Huh?"
This is th More...
This is th More...
Nov 13, 2009
wild pear
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With remarkably efficient but evocotive writing, Armstrong uses a clever artifice to tell the stories of two boys who each overcome a difficult challenge with the aid of a rather unusual cat. The first escapes a certain life of servitude in the Middle Ages to find greater fortune. The second, in the present, overcomes his dyslexia to learn to read. In both, personal perseverence, the nobelness of aiding strangers, the importance of family, and joy of storytelling come across easily without feeli
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Jul 14, 2011
Josiah
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I don't think the influence of S.D. Schindler's artwork on the overall quality of this book can be overemphasized. His spare pencil drawings of the quiet barn and its animal residents as they carry on their own dramatic existence apart from the world at large lends a sober credibility to those goings-on, and gives the importance of their lives together a deeper, more immediate sense of significance to us, the readers. The writing of author Alan Armstrong doesn't fail to enhance this sincere s
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Mar 22, 2011
Christina
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Okay, now I have finished. What a lovely portrait of humanity is painted in this exquisite text. An old, wordyy-wise and generations destined cat helps a young, dyslexic boy find his way through the story of a great man who, in order to become great , or anything else, took hold of his life. Please read this one is you want to re-affirm your faith in the human race and all other races, as well. I haven't finished, but this is enchanting. The descriptive writing is worth the price of admissi
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Jun 10, 2011
Stefanie
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This was a kindof odd book, i felt like the author was trying to make several connections and tell some history but it just didn't come together very well. It was interesting to relate the unwanted animals in the barn with the Ben's low reading stigma. There were 3 stories going on simultaneously and I just never really got into any one of them. There was a quote I really liked though, regarding buying a share of a friends business, "Buy a quarter or three-quarters, but nothing less and n
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Oct 26, 2010
Erin
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I'm a little surprised that this one made the Newbery honor list, as while the story was nice and portrays a boy working through his dyslexia along with the romantic adventure of Dick Whittington, told from the view point of one of his cat's descendants, the writing just isn't that good. Perhaps it becomes the most obvious when listening rather than reading silently. A lot of the sentences have a very plain structure that becomes rather repetitive. The author also tends to tell rather than sh
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Feb 09, 2010
Heather
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My first impression was not very favorable: is this another barnyard tale, with talking animals as in Charlotte's Web or Babe? And I wish the author explained more about how only certain people could hear the animals talk.
But I quickly realized that this book is much more. Similar to the Princess Bride (the movie) or the Neverending Story, the author had two stories take turns in the narrative. I loved the parallels between the struggles of the boy with dyslexia and the poor but am More...
But I quickly realized that this book is much more. Similar to the Princess Bride (the movie) or the Neverending Story, the author had two stories take turns in the narrative. I loved the parallels between the struggles of the boy with dyslexia and the poor but am More...
Feb 15, 2011
L11_AGastolek
rated it:
This is a story of Whittington, a cat, which in search of new home ends up in a barn where other less fortunate animals live. The cat makes new friends among barn animals and two owner’s grandchildren Abby and Ben. Whittington proves himself as a ratter and restores harmony in the barn by putting an end to the rats rule. He also is an excellent storyteller. Through his stories, with Abby’s help and encouragement from other barn animals, Ben overcomes his struggle with reading disability.
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Oct 23, 2010
This book is a good book for student's with learning disabilities and the teachers that work with them. It gives a fresh perspective into what a reading-challenged student deals with when reading text. It was interesting reading through people's reviews of this book, they either loved it or didn't care at all for it.
To me, it is an endearing tale about a seeming tomcat who is actually born of aristocratic mousing lineage, but fallen to the hardships of the lower class. After a k More...
To me, it is an endearing tale about a seeming tomcat who is actually born of aristocratic mousing lineage, but fallen to the hardships of the lower class. After a k More...
Aug 24, 2007
Peggy
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A top-notch children's book. It's a Newbery Honor book. There are several stories being told all at the same time. Whitington is the cat, named after the famous Dick Whitington and his cat. Would make a great gift for any child ages 8 to 12.
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Jan 12, 2012
Dawn (& Ron)
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Ron rates it 4 stars and I rated it 4-1/2 stars. Review forthcoming.
SHHH, DONT TELL MOM AND DAD BUT HEY THEY STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM LEAVING THIS THING ON SO HERE I SIT TYPING. THEY BOTH READ THIS AND TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT THIS BLASTED CAT WHITTINGTON LIKE HE WAS SOOOO SPECIAL. DOES HE HAVE ONE EXTRA LONG FANG TOOTH LIKE ME, DOES HE LIKE BUGLES AND DORITOS - I SNEAK THEM WHEN THEY AREN'T LOOKING. SERIOUSLY IM RIGHT HERE TO PET AND BOY DO IIIIIIIIIIIIIII OOPS SAT TO LONG ON THAT KEY. I More...
SHHH, DONT TELL MOM AND DAD BUT HEY THEY STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM LEAVING THIS THING ON SO HERE I SIT TYPING. THEY BOTH READ THIS AND TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT THIS BLASTED CAT WHITTINGTON LIKE HE WAS SOOOO SPECIAL. DOES HE HAVE ONE EXTRA LONG FANG TOOTH LIKE ME, DOES HE LIKE BUGLES AND DORITOS - I SNEAK THEM WHEN THEY AREN'T LOOKING. SERIOUSLY IM RIGHT HERE TO PET AND BOY DO IIIIIIIIIIIIIII OOPS SAT TO LONG ON THAT KEY. I More...
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Aug 28, 2011
J.
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A strong narrative about a group of farm animals that have formed a quasi-family. Another story within thin the framework of the book is shared by Whittington the cat about his ancestry. The owner has a couple grandchildren.
The boy struggles with reading. Fearful kids will tease him, he decides not to go to reading recovery. The determination the boy exhibits provides a good example to children. My concern was that children often fear being teased and attempt to avoid situations that More...
The boy struggles with reading. Fearful kids will tease him, he decides not to go to reading recovery. The determination the boy exhibits provides a good example to children. My concern was that children often fear being teased and attempt to avoid situations that More...
Dec 10, 2008
Deanna
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Amazing book. All throughout I kept thinking of Charlotte's Web because there were a few similarities...story takes place in a barn with a mix of animals who no one wants but Bernie. A homeless cat named Dick Wittington arrives and befriends all of the other animals including Lady (the duck in charge). He keeps the rats from taking over the barn and eventually starts telling a story which is interwoven throughout. Ben (a grandson of Bernie)is reading below grade level and learns to read from his
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Aug 28, 2009
Emma
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Whittington is a very deep book, in which I have not perceived the true meaning of yet. A seemingly simple story of a cat who finds shelter in a barn with interesting characters and tells a story about his ancestor as well as her owner and confidante, Dick Whittington. Now, you may have heard the name Dick Whittington before, but you will learn who he really was in this book. Be sure to read the author's note or whatever it's called that's in the back of the book.
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Aug 05, 2011
Micchon
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This was one of the most boring books I think I've ever read in my life. Then they mention all of this history, and regular, boring life in a barn...and it's just like one giant history lesson, a lot of it, and the rest I just feel is the book droning on and on about a barn, and...nothing exciting, nothing even INTERESTING at all, nothing, that I could find, making this at all worth reading. This book will bore you to tears: don't bother reading it when there are so many better books out there
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Jul 31, 2011
Neill
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Whittington is a cat descended from the Lord Mayor of London’s cat. He tells his story of his ancestor and his owner and their travels to acquire articles of trade in the 14th and 15th centuries in London and throughout Europe and Asia to a barnyard of animals and two children who have negotiated a cooperative existence as a family. His storytelling serves as inspiration to one of the children who is struggling in school due to dyslexia and to the other animals as they deal with their individu
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Apr 28, 2011
♫Tewi♫
rated it:
<spoiler>This story is about a cat, that names himself Whittington. He gets cozy in a barn and starts to live with the barn aninals and he then meets all the barn aninals. These two kids named Ben and Abby come to vist the animals after school.
Whittington then starts to do these stories of the wonderful Dick Whittington and his journey to the streets of London, to the voyage on the Unicorn. Dick`s journey, it is great feeling for the pure heart.
Ben and Abby, they More...
Whittington then starts to do these stories of the wonderful Dick Whittington and his journey to the streets of London, to the voyage on the Unicorn. Dick`s journey, it is great feeling for the pure heart.
Ben and Abby, they More...
Dec 18, 2011
Angela
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This is a cute book told through a motley crue of barnyard animals. Whittington, a cat, is the main character and narrator of the book. He's relating a story about the adventures of the cat from which he descended, while there are multiple side stories happening in the present time with the various barn inhabitants and the farm owner's family.
I like how it doesn't speak down to kids, but instead uses the children in the book as a reason to explain new or difficult words. It also doesn' More...
I like how it doesn't speak down to kids, but instead uses the children in the book as a reason to explain new or difficult words. It also doesn' More...
Nov 16, 2008
Nikki
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A battle-scarred tomcat named Whittington moves into a barn full of rescued farm animals. The barn belongs to an old filling-station owner and his wife, who are raising their two grandchildren; the children's mother is dead and their father absent and uninvolved. Moreover, the boy is dyslexic and angry about it and almost everything else. The cat, meanwhile, claims to be a descendant of the famous Dick Whittington's cat, and he begins to tell Whittington's story to the assembled animals and the
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Feb 07, 2008
Jackie
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Whittington, the ratter-cat stumbles upon the barn inhabited by The Lady (a duck), Aramis and Spooker (two horses), Coraggio (a rooster) and an array of rats, chickens and other assorted animals. He asks permission to be part of their family, and this permission is asked for so "he can hear the talking" and be part of it. The animals befriend Ben and Abby, the orphaned children who now live with their loving grandparents, Bernie and Marion. Ben is struggling with his reading and we lat
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Nov 27, 2007
Abby
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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 tro
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Mar 14, 2008
Bonnie Gayle
rated it:
Well, I usually agree with the Newberry Award Winners, but I felt this one missed the mark by a mile.
The information inside the cover said that it was about a cat that is new to a barn. He is a descendant of Dick Whittington's cat, and as the long cold winter goes on, he tells all the animals in the barn the story of Whittington and his cat.
This sounded interesting, and at the core, was what the book was about, but this book suffered from too many cooks in the kitchen. More...
The information inside the cover said that it was about a cat that is new to a barn. He is a descendant of Dick Whittington's cat, and as the long cold winter goes on, he tells all the animals in the barn the story of Whittington and his cat.
This sounded interesting, and at the core, was what the book was about, but this book suffered from too many cooks in the kitchen. More...
Oct 12, 2007
Debbie
rated it:
Grade 4-6–This superior novel interweaves animal fantasy and family story with a retelling of the English folktale Dick Whittington and His Cat. A battered tomcat named Whittington arrives one late-fall day at a New England barn, where he gradually befriends the equally ragtag group of animals already adopted by the barn's taciturn but soft-hearted owner, Bernie. When the year's first big snowstorm traps the bored animals in the barn, Whittington begins telling the story of his namesake, Dick Wh
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Jan 03, 2010
Jennifer
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Multi-faceted storytelling encompassing historical fiction, animals that talk, and a sensitive treatment of both dyslexia and grief. Without being preachy, there are strong themes of acceptance, self-esteem, loyalty, and forgiveness.
I am a sucker for any kindhearted stories about animals, so I liked this one, though I wouldn't say it was a favorite. The pace sometimes lags a bit, but never long enough to make me give up; before too long something would catch my interest again.
I am a sucker for any kindhearted stories about animals, so I liked this one, though I wouldn't say it was a favorite. The pace sometimes lags a bit, but never long enough to make me give up; before too long something would catch my interest again.
Jan 19, 2009
Snorkle
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I can maybe see a youngish child liking this book, especially if they are fond of animals that talk and that sort of thing. But as for me, I found it a little dumbed-down and slightly repetitive. Even though it was set in modern times, I couldn't help but feel that parts of this book were complete fantasy. (Animals talking and the children understanding? Yeah...) But there were parts in this story where I just thought it was entirely too easy for them to overcome their predicament. I also
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Jul 06, 2010
Braden
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This is a book I hope to be able to write some day. It is incredibly sweet--even uplifting--without being treacly or overwrought. It is also extremely well-written. Armstrong's prose is a model of economy and simplicity. It is the kind of writing that seems simple and easy until you try to do it. I really loved this book and am going to put it on my list of books I come back to occasionally for comfort. You really need to read this.
