What do you think?
Rate this book
Puss in Boots: The Adventures of That Most Enterprising Feline
Puss helps his master, Jacques, to find happiness and fortune. This re-telling of a classic tale is based on Philip Pullman's script for a production at the Polka Children's Theatre in Wimbledon. Philip Pullman is one of the most highly acclaimed children's authors of the decade. Illustrated with humour and aplomb by Ian Beck. Ages 9-12
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 2000
178 people want to read
About the author
Philip Pullman
265 books25.8k followersSir Philip Nicholas Outram Pullman is an English writer. His books include the fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials and The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, a fictionalised biography of Jesus. In 2008, The Times named Pullman one of the "50 greatest British writers since 1945". In a 2004 BBC poll, he was named the eleventh most influential person in British culture. He was knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to literature.
Northern Lights, the first volume in His Dark Materials, won the 1995 Carnegie Medal of the Library Association as the year's outstanding English-language children's book. For the Carnegie's 70th anniversary, it was named in the top ten by a panel tasked with compiling a shortlist for a public vote for an all-time favourite. It won that public vote and was named all-time "Carnegie of Carnegies" in June 2007. It was filmed under the book's US title, The Golden Compass. In 2003, His Dark Materials trilogy ranked third in the BBC's The Big Read, a poll of 200 top novels voted by the British public.
Northern Lights, the first volume in His Dark Materials, won the 1995 Carnegie Medal of the Library Association as the year's outstanding English-language children's book. For the Carnegie's 70th anniversary, it was named in the top ten by a panel tasked with compiling a shortlist for a public vote for an all-time favourite. It won that public vote and was named all-time "Carnegie of Carnegies" in June 2007. It was filmed under the book's US title, The Golden Compass. In 2003, His Dark Materials trilogy ranked third in the BBC's The Big Read, a poll of 200 top novels voted by the British public.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 8, 2020
The story of this most enterprising feline follows the traditional Puss in Boots tale with the kitty-cat being left to the deceased miller's youngest son Jacques, whose eldest brother inherited the mill while the middle brother inherited the miller's donkey.
Jacques was initially disappointed with his cat and his eldest brother felt deprived because not only would the mill-wheel not turn but he received a rent increase from his landlord, Monsieur Ogre. To try to turn the family fortunes around, Jacques decided to go out into the world to try to make his fortune. There was only one problem, he only had ten pence in the whole world. The feisty cat, who spoke the Queen's English, commented, 'Oh, that's plenty, Master!'
At first Jacques could not believe that the cat was talking ... but talking he was. So much so that he requested the money so that he could buy some new boots. He purchased them, and a suit of clothes cheaply, and suddenly Puss looked like a gentleman of fashion. Puss then said that he had the wit and he felt that his master had the courage so of they set to seek their fortune.
Puss christened his master the Marquis of Carabas and went to visit the Royal Palace where he had an audience with the King of France and his beautiful daughter the Princess. Puss elaborated on his master's achievements so much so that the King wanted to meet him and the Princess was so taken that she even thought of marrying him.
But before he could meet the King, Jacques needed some fine clothes. With the King and the Princess going for a drive alongside the river, Puss pretended that the Marquis of Carabas (alias Jacques) had gone for a swim and that robbers had stolen his clothes while he was in the water. So, having miraculously persuaded the Royals to take a spare set of clothes with them when they set off, he managed to borrow some of those to dress the Marquis, who suddenly looked the part.
Meanwhile the Ogre was feeling unwell and when his doctor could find nothing wrong, an astrologer told him that all that was wrong was that he needed a wife. Cutting to the chase, it was the Princess who came to mind so he sent a servant out to capture her. By then Jacques and the Princess were beginning to fall in love (very quickly it happened) but before they could take the affair any further the Ogre's servants kidnapped her.
The King was outraged and wanted his daughter back so Puss and Jacques set out to return her to the palace. On their way to the rescue the pair encountered a Hermit who gave them some dream-berries, which made anyone who ate them very drowsy. So encountering a number of Ghouls, they fed them with the berries and were able to carry on unhindered to Castle Ogre.
Puss sneaked through the bars into the Princess's cell and told her that the Marquis of Carabas would rescue her but before he did she needed to ask the Ogre some questions. When the Ogre summoned the Princess, she asked the questions that related to getting the mill working again and the water running freely and she promised the Ogre a kiss if he told her the answers.
He duly did so but before any kissing took place Puss entered and challenged the Ogre to turn into any animal, a feat that the Ogre boasted about. He became a crocodile then a Hippo and then he turned into a mouse, at which point Puss ate him!
It all ended very happily as Jacques chased off the Ogre's men, the mill worked perfectly once again after a bag of gold was discovered blocking the workings, the King found out that Jacques was only a miller's son but then made him into a Marquis so he was able to marry the Princess and they lived happily ever after. As for Puss, he went back to doing what he loved most in the world - catching mice, dreaming of glory and, best of all, just snoozing in the sun.
This is a gorgeous edition with the illustrations by Ian Beck adding greatly to the sparkling text of Philip Pullman.
Jacques was initially disappointed with his cat and his eldest brother felt deprived because not only would the mill-wheel not turn but he received a rent increase from his landlord, Monsieur Ogre. To try to turn the family fortunes around, Jacques decided to go out into the world to try to make his fortune. There was only one problem, he only had ten pence in the whole world. The feisty cat, who spoke the Queen's English, commented, 'Oh, that's plenty, Master!'
At first Jacques could not believe that the cat was talking ... but talking he was. So much so that he requested the money so that he could buy some new boots. He purchased them, and a suit of clothes cheaply, and suddenly Puss looked like a gentleman of fashion. Puss then said that he had the wit and he felt that his master had the courage so of they set to seek their fortune.
Puss christened his master the Marquis of Carabas and went to visit the Royal Palace where he had an audience with the King of France and his beautiful daughter the Princess. Puss elaborated on his master's achievements so much so that the King wanted to meet him and the Princess was so taken that she even thought of marrying him.
But before he could meet the King, Jacques needed some fine clothes. With the King and the Princess going for a drive alongside the river, Puss pretended that the Marquis of Carabas (alias Jacques) had gone for a swim and that robbers had stolen his clothes while he was in the water. So, having miraculously persuaded the Royals to take a spare set of clothes with them when they set off, he managed to borrow some of those to dress the Marquis, who suddenly looked the part.
Meanwhile the Ogre was feeling unwell and when his doctor could find nothing wrong, an astrologer told him that all that was wrong was that he needed a wife. Cutting to the chase, it was the Princess who came to mind so he sent a servant out to capture her. By then Jacques and the Princess were beginning to fall in love (very quickly it happened) but before they could take the affair any further the Ogre's servants kidnapped her.
The King was outraged and wanted his daughter back so Puss and Jacques set out to return her to the palace. On their way to the rescue the pair encountered a Hermit who gave them some dream-berries, which made anyone who ate them very drowsy. So encountering a number of Ghouls, they fed them with the berries and were able to carry on unhindered to Castle Ogre.
Puss sneaked through the bars into the Princess's cell and told her that the Marquis of Carabas would rescue her but before he did she needed to ask the Ogre some questions. When the Ogre summoned the Princess, she asked the questions that related to getting the mill working again and the water running freely and she promised the Ogre a kiss if he told her the answers.
He duly did so but before any kissing took place Puss entered and challenged the Ogre to turn into any animal, a feat that the Ogre boasted about. He became a crocodile then a Hippo and then he turned into a mouse, at which point Puss ate him!
It all ended very happily as Jacques chased off the Ogre's men, the mill worked perfectly once again after a bag of gold was discovered blocking the workings, the King found out that Jacques was only a miller's son but then made him into a Marquis so he was able to marry the Princess and they lived happily ever after. As for Puss, he went back to doing what he loved most in the world - catching mice, dreaming of glory and, best of all, just snoozing in the sun.
This is a gorgeous edition with the illustrations by Ian Beck adding greatly to the sparkling text of Philip Pullman.
October 24, 2008
The retelling of this was fine. Unnecessary really. Pullman didn't add anything to the story or to the fairytale genre, for that matter. And the art. UGH!! Horrid, distracting stuff.
December 12, 2013
For our Literacy during my first placement at school we have been reading Puss in Boots. Pullman's version is slightly different than the original as he adds a couple of interesting characters to the story who add a unique twist to this old tale.
Puss is no ordinary cat, he is a talking cat who belongs to an old miller. The miller dies and leaves his cat to his son, Jacques who is unaware of his new pets abilities. When Jacques begins to talk to his new friend, he is quite shocked to find that he replies back to him! Puss is also a clever and cunning cat who has a few masterful plans for himself, Jacques and the Princess...
This book is a fun retell of the original story and I would recommend it to children between the ages of 6-8.
Puss is no ordinary cat, he is a talking cat who belongs to an old miller. The miller dies and leaves his cat to his son, Jacques who is unaware of his new pets abilities. When Jacques begins to talk to his new friend, he is quite shocked to find that he replies back to him! Puss is also a clever and cunning cat who has a few masterful plans for himself, Jacques and the Princess...
This book is a fun retell of the original story and I would recommend it to children between the ages of 6-8.
September 17, 2019
A retelling of a famous fable.
This book was OK - the illustrations were a bit odd.
Overall rating 2.5.
Reading time around twenty minutes.
This book was OK - the illustrations were a bit odd.
Overall rating 2.5.
Reading time around twenty minutes.
January 29, 2026
This one is just so-so. Not as good as the author's other retellings.
September 22, 2013
This interesting book tells a story of a boy, Jacques, who just lost his father and was left with just the mill-wheel and the cat, Puss in his will. Not being able to afford the rent, Jacques decides to go on an adventure with Puss to try to seek fortune elsewhere. Puss was not just any ordinary cat, he had the ability to talk. This adventurous trip involves them meeting a princess and Jacques falling in love with her. Under the instructions of finding a wife from the doctor, the Ogre kidnaps the princess to marry her. Furiously reading the letter left behind by the Ogre, the King was slightly alleviated when Jacques and Puss offer to rescue the princess. During the journey, they come across a number of distractions that have questions that only Ogre has the answers to. As Puss arrives at the dungeon, he asks the princess for help to get answers for the questions from the Ogre. It then came to light to Puss that the Ogre could change into any animal. Using this to his advantage, Puss tricks the Ogre into turning himself into a mouse and then eats him. The story ends with the princess getting saved and marrying Jacques.
This adventurous book conveys to children all the exciting things that can happen throughout a journey with a cat and that things are not always what they seem, a talking cat for example. The use of detailed illustrations allows the reader to visualise the story more and be drawn upon to read the book. The adventures that take place teaches children that to help someone can not only be rewarding, but also allows us to connect with one another.
This book can be located on the book shelf in the classroom for independent learning. I would recommend this book to children in years 4 and 5.
This adventurous book conveys to children all the exciting things that can happen throughout a journey with a cat and that things are not always what they seem, a talking cat for example. The use of detailed illustrations allows the reader to visualise the story more and be drawn upon to read the book. The adventures that take place teaches children that to help someone can not only be rewarding, but also allows us to connect with one another.
This book can be located on the book shelf in the classroom for independent learning. I would recommend this book to children in years 4 and 5.
March 22, 2012
The story shows great adventure about an ordinary boy who is left with a cat by his father. Although this is no ordinary cat his name is Puss in Boots and he is a very clever cat. He helps Jacques with his adventures through out the story and all that Puss asks for is that Jacques brings his courage along. Jacques finds a princess who he falls in love with but soon this princess is stolen away by big mean ole Orge. This is a chance for Jacques to prove himself to the king so that he may be able to marry his daughter. Jacques has to go through some adventures but then eventually proves himself but this all happens with his clever sidekick Puss. The story of Puss in Boots is a great story for kids and it shows adventures that a man can have with his cat.
December 11, 2009
A poor miller's son is left a cat when his father dies. Unsure of what he's supposed to do, Jacques soon finds out that this cat is no ordinary cat.
This was a nice retelling of Puss In Boots by Pullman. It's just a fun story, that's a nice read for anyone. I also liked the artwork, it was fun and kind of silly, I think it went well with the story.
This was a nice retelling of Puss In Boots by Pullman. It's just a fun story, that's a nice read for anyone. I also liked the artwork, it was fun and kind of silly, I think it went well with the story.
February 19, 2016
This book made me think of the children's movie "Shrek". It is quite similar. The king, in this case ogre, wants the princess to marry him so he sent out some people to capture the princess. After she is captured, somebody gets to be the hero and save her. After being saved, she gets married to her hero. It is exactly like "Shrek".
September 24, 2013
My students loved this one too, had couple get off the computer and make me read 7 stories in a row. One girl even would read every other page with me, I had other counselors take pictures of what we were doing.
February 10, 2017
I discovered this book entirely by accident. That's what libraries are for, after all.
Seriously, I had no idea Philip Pullman had written children's books. This one is excellent. It doesn't hurt that Puss in Boots is one of my all time favorite fairy tale characters.
This is one I'd like to own.
Seriously, I had no idea Philip Pullman had written children's books. This one is excellent. It doesn't hurt that Puss in Boots is one of my all time favorite fairy tale characters.
This is one I'd like to own.
July 14, 2010
First time reading the Puss in Boots story in any form. This one really engaged the kids.
August 16, 2011
Colorful, and a good interpretation.
October 18, 2011
Good for reading silently. Other version has a simpler story for reading to a group.
March 20, 2014
My students and I enjoyed this detailed variant of the classic story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews