Charlie

by Diane Fox Downs, Lilian Obligado (Illustrator)

When Charlie, a city cat, hears how wonderful life is in the country, he decides to move there.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Cats

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Tommy Frerking]

I have no words to describe what this book means to me. When I was a small child, just barely able to read, I had this book and It's magic captivated me. Shortly after that my family came in possession of three small stray kittens, one of them a scrawny orange tabby, so of course he was named Charlie, and he became my childhood best friend for years. Upon reflection, this might have been the book that lead me to want to write fiction.

[littlemiao · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little book about a starving kitten who goes in search of a home. The poor-kitten-finds-forever-home motif always makes heartwarming bedtime reading with your furry little ones. Many little kittens, Sprocket and Ketzeleh included, will be able to relate to it from their own personal experience. The Miaolings enjoyed the story and now they want their own courtyard with trees and goldfish and kitten pals.

[Asho · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm surprised I've never rated this book prior to now! I've definitely read it with S multiple times in the past, and he enjoys it but it was never one of his major favorites. I moved it into L's room a while ago, and she recently started picking it out sometimes at bedtime, chanting "key-cat! key-cat!" and "Meowmeowmeowmeow!" Needless to say, she likes it a lot and will actually sit through the whole thing, even though the text is a little lengthy for a not-quite-2-year-old.
This was definitely one of my preferred Little Golden Books when I was a kid, so it's great to see my own children enjoying it now. I think it holds up well. It seems a bit dated, sure, but in a quaint and charming way.

ETA June 2018: L still enjoys this book, and tonight was F's first time listening to it. She did a lot of cooing and actually seemed to focus on the illustrations for a short period of time.

ETA August 2020: L is still a big fan of this one, and I continue to find it as charming as always. It's funny to see the lack of diversity in the illustrations, though. It's definitely something that dates this book.

ETA January 2021: L says this is her favorite Little Golden Book (we have a bunch!) and continues to pick it out every few months.

[Mommalibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture of the cover at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Little-...
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Charlie was a feral cat, starving in an ugly city when he stumbles upon soft, green grass. Charlie plays Tiger in the Grass. It was a favorite with my young children.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it simply because my wife still owned from her childhood, and I hadn't read it before. It's hard to say anything negative about an orange cat seeking happiness.

[Mark Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Golden Books really don't need reviews. Instead, I want to pay tribute to the person who sent me this book.

Trish was my most wonderful and best friend. Her heart and soul both boasted a sort of infinite kindness and realism that you seldom find in a person. She wasn't intimidated by a weird Spencer Gifts clerk that proclaimed, 'I must know you' moments after she offered her email address for an in-store promotion. She was fearless in disclosing both her feelings as well as her favorite things. Charlie was her favorite Little Golden Book. She sent me this book shortly before she passed away, insisting I read it to her over the phone someday. I insisted that I would do it in person the next time we got together. We had a distance between us of a little under 3 hours. I wish it were 3 minutes, I'd have read it to her the same night it arrived.

My best friend passed away a year after I nearly died of an aortic burst, nearly to the day. I never got to read her Charlie, but did read her The Giving Tree, which made us both cry.

We don't know the profound effect we will have on another person. Someone shopping in the same store could be your best friend in mere moments. I miss Trish every single day, I still love my best friend dearly. Trish, I cried as I read this sweet story. I'm ok, but this world is empty without you.

Call a friend and tell them you love them today.

Happy heavenly Birthday, Trish. I love you.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of my childhood about a cat who finds where he belongs. I think we can all relate and learn from this Little Golden Book. What a difference it makes to find love, acceptance and mutual appreciation. Never give up on your dreams.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite childhood books. I loved it so much that I had to look it up and buy an old used copy.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite childhood book. I found it narrated on YouTube.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart-warming story that will have your kids wanting a kitten, and crying when you walk past the animal shelter lol. Seriously, it is a cute story.

[Beth Hayhoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book as a child, and recently re-aquired it. It's a delightful story of a city cat looking for a home, and a place to play "tiger in the grass."

[~ The Book Traveller~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childhood book ;)

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie's Search for a new home. Very cute book.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is about a alley cat finding a family.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a darling little children's book about a lonely, hungry little cat who ends up with a wonderful home in the end.