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Dick Whittington and His Cat
Retells the legend of the poor boy in medieval England who trades his beloved cat for a fortune in gold and jewels and eventually becomes Lord Mayor of London.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2006
About the author
Margaret Hodges
72 books56 followersMargaret "Peggy" Hodges was an American writer of books for children.
She was born Sarah Margaret Moore in Indianapolis, Indiana to Arthur Carlisle and Annie Marie Moore. She enrolled at Tudor Hall, a college preparatory school for girls. A 1932 graduate of Vassar College, she arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband Fletcher Hodges Jr. when in 1937 he became curator at the Stephen Foster Memorial. She trained as a librarian at Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, under Elizabeth Nesbitt, and she volunteered as a storyteller at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Beginning in 1958 with One Little Drum, she wrote and published more than 40 books.
Her 1985 book Saint George and the Dragon, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, won the Caldecott Medal of the American Library Association.
She was a professor of library science at the University of Pittsburgh, where she retired in 1976.
Hodges died of heart disease on December 13, 2005 at her home in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. She suffered from Parkinson's disease.
She wrote her stories on a notepad or a typewriter. "I need good ideas, and they don't come out of machines," she once said.
She was born Sarah Margaret Moore in Indianapolis, Indiana to Arthur Carlisle and Annie Marie Moore. She enrolled at Tudor Hall, a college preparatory school for girls. A 1932 graduate of Vassar College, she arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband Fletcher Hodges Jr. when in 1937 he became curator at the Stephen Foster Memorial. She trained as a librarian at Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, under Elizabeth Nesbitt, and she volunteered as a storyteller at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Beginning in 1958 with One Little Drum, she wrote and published more than 40 books.
Her 1985 book Saint George and the Dragon, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, won the Caldecott Medal of the American Library Association.
She was a professor of library science at the University of Pittsburgh, where she retired in 1976.
Hodges died of heart disease on December 13, 2005 at her home in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. She suffered from Parkinson's disease.
She wrote her stories on a notepad or a typewriter. "I need good ideas, and they don't come out of machines," she once said.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 26, 2024
This famous tale brings us a rags-to-riches tale from England during the Middle Ages.
Young Dick Whittington starts of this story as just another poor boy. He comes to London to make his fortune but finds it hard to survive.
Eventually a wealthy merchant offers Dick a job. The boy buys a cat to keep him company, and that's where his story turns really interesting.
Famously, Dick Whittington becomes thrice Lord Mayor of London.
HERE'S A SAMPLE OF THE EXCELLENT WRITING
Through the empty streets of London [Dick] ran until he was four miles beyond the city.
There he sat down on a stone to rest and think.
Then in the distance he heard the Bow Bell ringing,
swinging high,
swinging low,
as if it called,
Turn again, Whittington,
Lord Mayor of London!
FIVE STARS for an excellent storybook.
Young Dick Whittington starts of this story as just another poor boy. He comes to London to make his fortune but finds it hard to survive.
Eventually a wealthy merchant offers Dick a job. The boy buys a cat to keep him company, and that's where his story turns really interesting.
Famously, Dick Whittington becomes thrice Lord Mayor of London.
HERE'S A SAMPLE OF THE EXCELLENT WRITING
Through the empty streets of London [Dick] ran until he was four miles beyond the city.
There he sat down on a stone to rest and think.
Then in the distance he heard the Bow Bell ringing,
swinging high,
swinging low,
as if it called,
Turn again, Whittington,
Lord Mayor of London!
FIVE STARS for an excellent storybook.
October 17, 2017
My son read this aloud to me. We had read another version of this story before and enjoyed this version just as much. I had forgotten that Dick lived in medieval England at the end of the Middle Ages. The illustrations didn't bother me as much as others as they made sense to me based on when the story took place. I also liked some of the colors used, so the illustrations were not a distraction for me.
September 20, 2017
The story was okay. It had a fable feel to it. The illustrations seemed sharp and uninviting. Although I liked the story, I didn't like many of the elements and how they should be expected to be relatable to children.
September 8, 2019
A classic tale
September 11, 2022
I love stories like this where one good person makes a small choice that ends up changing his entire life for the better.
February 26, 2016
Title: Dick Whittington and His Cat
Author: Margaret Hodges
Illustrator: Melisande Potter
Genre: European folktale
Theme(s): adventure, journey, and problems solving.
Opening line/sentence: On a long-ago day, Dick Whittington sat on a stone by and English country road.
Brief Book Summary: This is a story about a homeless boy name Dick Whittington who moved to London. Dick found a job in a kitchen and a home in an attic that was infested with rats, and so he bought a cat who became his best friend. Eventually, he shipped his cat off in hopes of getting money from a king. His dreams had come true and Dick became the mayor and the richest man in London.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: : CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2007)
The legend of Dick Whittington and his famous cat, originally told in chapbooks in England and the American colonies, has been reinvigorated for a new generation of children. Born around 1358, Dick Whittington rose from a humble beginning to become a wealthy benefactor of the London poor and was twice elected Lord Mayor of the city. In this retelling, Dick sends his cat, as his only belonging, on his master s ship when it sails to Barbary, North Africa. There the cat rids the king s palace of a host of rodents, and the king gratefully responds by sending young Dick a great casket of gold and precious jewels in payment for Tabby. An author s note provides a brief history of the real man and the legend that grew up around him. Whimsical ink and gouache illustrations lend a fresh, lighthearted air to an old tale. CCBC Category: Folklore, Mythology, and Traditional Literature. 2006, Holiday House, 32 pages, $16.95. Ages 5-8.
(PUBLISHER: Holiday House (New York :), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature) Hodges brings to life the legend that has grown up around the actual character of Dick Whittington. The poor boy, working hard in a London house and mistreated by the cook, cannot sleep because of the rats and mice in his attic room. Tabby, the cat he acquires to chase them away, is all he has to send on his master's ship for trading abroad. Discouraged by his life, he leaves London, but seems to hear the church bells calling him back. Meanwhile, arriving at a port, Tabby has rid a king's palace of rats and mice and has been paid for with a treasure, making Dick a rich man for his trade. Thus begins his road to success, ending as the bells predicted, Lord Mayor of London. Although not in a specific style, Potter sets her ink and gouache scenes in a manner suggesting an unsophisticated creator. She includes many details of houses, castle turrets, church facades, cobbled streets, and people in clothes of another era. The visual narrative is easy to follow, offering a light-hearted sense to even the more dramatic scenes. The characters seem to be in make-up with exaggerated features, like actors in a play. The lively telling has broad appeal. Background factual information is included. 2006, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 5 to 9.
(PUBLISHER: Holiday House (New York :), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: : Both reviews give a summary to the tale about Dick Whittington. The reviews highlight Dick’s struggles and how his hard work paid off. I enjoy how the second review mentions “the characters seem to be in make-up with exaggerated features, like actors in a play,” this is a style I particularly enjoyed about the illustrations.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: : This story provides readers with a sense of London around 1358. Through illustrations and details, students can see how cities looked and people dressed in that time period. The story of Dick Whittington and his cat is easy to follow for young elementary students. Students are able to follow Dick and his cats journey.
Consideration of Instructional Application: After reading the tale of Dick Whittington and his cat, I would ask the students to pick out the most important parts of the story. This would be done as a group, as the students would say their answers I would write them down on the board. I would assign the students roles to play in the story and explain that we were to act out Dick’s story like a play. I would provide costumes for the children to get into character and re-tell the tale.
Author: Margaret Hodges
Illustrator: Melisande Potter
Genre: European folktale
Theme(s): adventure, journey, and problems solving.
Opening line/sentence: On a long-ago day, Dick Whittington sat on a stone by and English country road.
Brief Book Summary: This is a story about a homeless boy name Dick Whittington who moved to London. Dick found a job in a kitchen and a home in an attic that was infested with rats, and so he bought a cat who became his best friend. Eventually, he shipped his cat off in hopes of getting money from a king. His dreams had come true and Dick became the mayor and the richest man in London.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: : CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2007)
The legend of Dick Whittington and his famous cat, originally told in chapbooks in England and the American colonies, has been reinvigorated for a new generation of children. Born around 1358, Dick Whittington rose from a humble beginning to become a wealthy benefactor of the London poor and was twice elected Lord Mayor of the city. In this retelling, Dick sends his cat, as his only belonging, on his master s ship when it sails to Barbary, North Africa. There the cat rids the king s palace of a host of rodents, and the king gratefully responds by sending young Dick a great casket of gold and precious jewels in payment for Tabby. An author s note provides a brief history of the real man and the legend that grew up around him. Whimsical ink and gouache illustrations lend a fresh, lighthearted air to an old tale. CCBC Category: Folklore, Mythology, and Traditional Literature. 2006, Holiday House, 32 pages, $16.95. Ages 5-8.
(PUBLISHER: Holiday House (New York :), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature) Hodges brings to life the legend that has grown up around the actual character of Dick Whittington. The poor boy, working hard in a London house and mistreated by the cook, cannot sleep because of the rats and mice in his attic room. Tabby, the cat he acquires to chase them away, is all he has to send on his master's ship for trading abroad. Discouraged by his life, he leaves London, but seems to hear the church bells calling him back. Meanwhile, arriving at a port, Tabby has rid a king's palace of rats and mice and has been paid for with a treasure, making Dick a rich man for his trade. Thus begins his road to success, ending as the bells predicted, Lord Mayor of London. Although not in a specific style, Potter sets her ink and gouache scenes in a manner suggesting an unsophisticated creator. She includes many details of houses, castle turrets, church facades, cobbled streets, and people in clothes of another era. The visual narrative is easy to follow, offering a light-hearted sense to even the more dramatic scenes. The characters seem to be in make-up with exaggerated features, like actors in a play. The lively telling has broad appeal. Background factual information is included. 2006, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 5 to 9.
(PUBLISHER: Holiday House (New York :), PUBLISHED: c2006.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: : Both reviews give a summary to the tale about Dick Whittington. The reviews highlight Dick’s struggles and how his hard work paid off. I enjoy how the second review mentions “the characters seem to be in make-up with exaggerated features, like actors in a play,” this is a style I particularly enjoyed about the illustrations.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: : This story provides readers with a sense of London around 1358. Through illustrations and details, students can see how cities looked and people dressed in that time period. The story of Dick Whittington and his cat is easy to follow for young elementary students. Students are able to follow Dick and his cats journey.
Consideration of Instructional Application: After reading the tale of Dick Whittington and his cat, I would ask the students to pick out the most important parts of the story. This would be done as a group, as the students would say their answers I would write them down on the board. I would assign the students roles to play in the story and explain that we were to act out Dick’s story like a play. I would provide costumes for the children to get into character and re-tell the tale.
October 22, 2013
First of all, I love historical fiction, so this was a hit with me. Now, here's the great part, the kids loved it too! The illustrations were simple and fun. They helped to tell the story to non-readers. The story was gripping and the kids (9, 7, 4) wanted to know what was going to happen next as there are several pivotal points where the situation seems dire. We had a good time predicting what might happen next. My son, 7, likes to respond with, "I don't know," because it is an easy way out, so I ask silly questions like, "Is he going to order a pizza? Will he go home and watch TV?" Then we work to come up with what might happen given what has happened so far and the decision that faces the character at that point.
Grade Level: 4.3
Grade Level: 4.3
November 18, 2011
I checked this out from the library at the same time I checked out the Marcia Brown version of the same story. Brown's won a Caldecott Honor in 1951.
The illustrations in this book leave a lot to be desired. The perspective is wonky, and people look deformed. This may be an intentional style, but it just wasn't for me.
Also, if you're re-telling a famous folk tale, and someone else does the illustrations, you're getting credit for paraphrasing? Hodges's story was incredibly similar to Brown's. Brown has created her own illustrations, so although she is also re-telling a famous folk tale, she has put a significant amount of her own work into it as well.
The illustrations in this book leave a lot to be desired. The perspective is wonky, and people look deformed. This may be an intentional style, but it just wasn't for me.
Also, if you're re-telling a famous folk tale, and someone else does the illustrations, you're getting credit for paraphrasing? Hodges's story was incredibly similar to Brown's. Brown has created her own illustrations, so although she is also re-telling a famous folk tale, she has put a significant amount of her own work into it as well.
March 9, 2008
2 points for the illustrations, which I hate, and 5 points for the story.
December 30, 2014
As for fairy tales featuring cats, Puss in Boots has more appeal. Loved the whimsical, colorful illustrations, though.
October 29, 2015
Don't like the illustrations as much; see other versions.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews