Orlando the Marmalade Cat Buys Farm

Orlando the Marmalade Cat #4

by Hale

Orlando's sympathies are aroused by poor Mrs Butterfield who has difficulties looking after her tumble-down farm. He buys the farm and begins a campaign of repairs, but he is not helped by the farm animals who have settled themselves inside the farmhouse and refuse to budge. Once Orlando has sorted out all the animals who have been living inside the farmhouse, he, Grace and the kittens spend a wonderful year making butter, going to market, harvesting, lambing, and all the work of a farm. This book is especially based on Kathleen Hale's own experiences as a land girl in the First World War.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange book, pretty wordy with very old-fashioned speech and ideas. My daughter really liked the illustrations though as the cats are doing fairly silly things throughout. There are some issues though which prevent me from recommending it fully. Native Americans are depicted in a derogatory manner, called 'red indians' and depicted as going out scalping mice. So, that's pretty unacceptable. But, it's easy to skip the page or change the wording of the page. I opted to change the wording when I read it aloud.

There's kind of that whole colonialist type of attitude too in regards to the other animals on the farm who would be lazy if not for the guidance of their 'betters'.

The art is silly though and my daughter did like that.

I think that it could actually be a good book to read to older children to point out those attitudes in literature especially since you can see that the intention wasn't to be hateful but it was still potentially harmful.

[Cheryl]

The only Orlando book I've been able to find so far. Clever: antlers mounted on a wall prompt one of the kittens to ascribe them (as horns) to a Dilemma, and dogs are known to respond best to doggerel verse.... The pictures are, of course, the highlight. They've creative perspectives and use of space, not to mention humor and bright appeal.

It's also interesting to see some details that I never knew before. For example, the autumn maintenance of "hedging and ditching." The females are just as well-developed as people as the males and all labor. And the story itself just ends after a year, as if this is the last adventure and the series ends with the family settling down (?).

There is one unfortunate spread that includes mention (and pix of) "Red Indians" but it is meant innocently. Just take care to discuss with your youngster.

I do still wish to find more, especially paper editions. This is from OpenLibrary.org.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The logic here may leave you spinning, but the drawings will carry to right along as Orlando takes over and runs a farm successfully.

[Wreade1872 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like i'm being a bit cruel giving this one star, its not offensive in any way, however we live in a big wide world and there's so much else you could be reading.
This is about cats that drive, talk, wear clothes and now run a farm. If that sounds cute and magical, prepare to be disappointed ;) .
There are several anachronisms which would not work at all for a modern audience but the main problem is the writing. Almost every sentence is a statement, there's no flow to it at all. In fact at times it feels like the script was much longer and then brutally stripped down. Or maybe the pictures were done first and then the story was just made up based on them.
Whatever the problem the language completely removes any sense of wonder or character from the book. Pointless.

[Sem · Rating 2 out of 5]

My love of anthropomorphised animals only extends so far. Attractive art, daft story.

[Andrew Royse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book over again! The illustrations of the cat and the farm animals are so cute to look at. This is a great way to introduce kids to the different kinds of farm animals!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much of the "story" was more like short journal or diary entries instead of a story. Busy, colorful illustrations.