The Little Cat Baby

by Allan Ahlberg, Fritz Wegner (Illustrator)

This is a fantastical story about a man and a woman who visit Nurse Doodle's baby shop to choose a new baby. There's a pink baby and a robot baby and a flower-pot-throwing baby and a little cat baby. They choose the little cat baby and take her home but she wanders off one harum scarum night and then follows an exciting adventure until she is reunited with her parents. Fritz Wegner's beautiful black and white line and wash illustrations perfectly capture the magic and madness of this topsy turvy tale.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Childrens, Animals, Adoption

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Allan Ahlberg was one of the UK's most acclaimed and successful authors of children's books - including the best-selling Jolly Postman series. Born in Croydon in 1938, he was educated at Sunderland Technical College. Although he dreamed of becoming a writer since the age of twelve, his route to that goal was somewhat circuitous. Other jobs along the way included postman (not an especially jolly one, he recalls), gravedigger, plumber, and teacher.

Ahlberg wrote his first book when he was thirty-seven, after a decade of teaching - a profession that he maintains is "much harder" than being a writer. He says that if he hadn't become a writer, he would have loved to be a soccer player. He was married for many years to fellow children's author Janet Ahlberg, with whom he often worked. Their daughter, Jessica Ahlberg, is also a children's author.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather silly story about a couple who chooses to adopt a cat baby instead of a human one. (I worry that the flowerpot-throwing baby will never find a home.) The whole thing is kind of surreal.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

As whimsical and it is delightful, Ahlberg and Wegner come together again to tell a charming yet absurd story of a mature couple in search of a child. Off they head to Nurse Doodle who offers them many options including a baby who's rather good at throwing flower pots. They opt, in the end though, for a little anthropomorphic cat baby and whisk her home.

What follows, balanced beautifully between Ahleberg's fringingly familar pseudo-Victorian world and Wegner delicious line and wash illustrations, are a series of short nonsensical stories of our brave little kitten. From Christmas to Fireworks to being lost to watching tennis games at night are a series of charming, odd little stories which effortlessly draw you in. Nothing deep or clever here save for the spinning of a winsome series of yarns (which the kitten will no doubt pounce upon).

[TwoDrinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a strange little book but I can't complain because it's a children's book and children's minds work in mysterious ways. I really liked the illustrations (by Fritz Wegner) as they had a lot of detail so there was lots to look at and discuss, the way there usually is in an Ahlberg book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a weird little book. I have no idea why my son picked this book up from library. Oh, wait. Yes, I do. Because it is a weird little book.

[Megan Odgers]

This was my first Ahlberg book I believe, and I thought the illustrations done by Fritz Wegner fit the story well. I didn’t expect it to be a series of stories but somehow that added to the surreal feels of the book. I will look into reading more of his work because I was also surprised to learn he wrote more than 150 books! Maybe I have read others in the past but don’t remember them?

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an adult, weird. From a child's perspective, whimsical.

A couple wants to get a baby, so they went to the Baby Shop (which is how it was done in those days). Of all the babies they pick out a cat baby.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very. . . random. There is not much a plot arc, although the quasi-chapters with titles and all create a sense that the book is building towards something. However, the rather abrupt ending dispels any hope of that. Even picture books should have some sort of discernible beginning, middle and ending layout to the story, and this book's lack thereof may leave some children unsatisfied, especially if this book is being used as a bridge between picture books and chapter books for kids reading on their own.

[Ellen Seltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully mad and whimsical story, with exactly the sort of free-association that small children make up for themselves. A simple plot, but full of broad seriously-silly humor that makes little ones giggle.

If you enjoy Monty Python-style comedy where ridiculous details are delivered in a solemn tone, you will like this book. The illustrations add detail and another dimension to the story.

My 5 and 7 year old loved it. I would recommend for ages 4-8.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bizarre book about a man and woman who want a baby and go to get one at the baby store. They end up choosing a cat baby and the adventure ensues. Very odd, but cute black and white illustrations that depict somewhat of a Victorian era.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd book about a childless couple who goes to the Baby Shop and ends up adopting a little cat baby. The cat baby is cute and does cute things, but it's really just kinda of weird how everything works out.

B&W illustrations - but fun and detailed.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love cats and have a cat AND if you don't want children/can't have children, you might relate to this book and enjoy it a lot. The humor in this book is very tongue-in-cheek and a little random. I wish the illustrations were in color, but they are just drawings.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weirdest little folk tale I have ever seen. A man and a woman go to the baby store to get a baby, and come home with a cat baby. So odd.

[Tiffany Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because the wording was original and fun.
The illustrations brought the story to life and created a fantasy world where cat babies are perfectly normal.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird story, but gorgeous illustrations and format.

[Betsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for preschoolers who love cats and babies.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little kitten has lots of adventures lost in the city before finally coming back home. Should be cozy and warm for kids' hearts.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a weird little book. I have no idea why my son picked this book up from library. Oh, wait. Yes, I do. Because it is a weird little book.

[Nux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, albeit senseless.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky story with whimsical illustrations. I like quirky.

[Cecilee]

Odd little book with odd humor but also the story of my life.