Cat Goes Fiddle-I-Fee

by Paul Galdone

An old English cumulative rhyme introduces young children to their favorite farm animals with verses that prompt them to learn the sound that each animal makes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Cats, Nursery Rhymes, Music

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Paul Galdone (1907 - November 7, 1986) was a children's literature author and illustrator. He was born in Budapest and he emigrated to the United States in 1921. He studied art at the Art Student's League and New York School for Industrial Design. He served for the US Army during world War II.

He illustrated nearly all of Eve Titus' books including the Basil of Baker Street series which was translated to the screen in the animated Disney film, The Great Mouse Detective.

Galdone and Titus were nominated for Caldecott Medals for Anatole (1957) and Anatole and the Cat (1958). The titles were later named Caldecott Honor books in 1971.

He died of a heart attack in Nyack, New York. He was posthumously awarded the 1996 Kerlan Award for his contribution to children's literature. His retellings of classic tales like "The Little Red Hen" or "Three Billy Goats Gruff" have become staples.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting rhyming piece that I did not know all that well myself before we read it. The narrator talks about the various animals he has on the farm and the affinity he has towards them. Each animal makes its own distinct sound, leaving the reader to recite them (and add to the list with each round) until it is time for the humans to eat and the animals to doze. Neo liked helping me recite the animal sounds and had them all down pat before long. It was a fun way to explore an old fairly tale (rhyme) and instil some happiness before bed.

[Kaethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

9:25 am 26 April 2025

This is one of five books with black and white cats on the cover that I spotted scattered around the children's section which I picked up in loving memory of Calder Eno, who was enormous and affectionate and funny.

Given that context, maybe it was bound to disappoint? I didn't care for it: the limited palette didn't work well with the style of the art, nor did I like either. I was not familiar with the traditional poem? song? that the text is pulled from, which has some very odd noises for the cat, hen, and goose, as indicated in the title. There are a lot of close ups and open mouths and the whole thing felt vaguely threatening to me. Maybe if I look at a different version this one will bother me less?

Well, I'll have a go at the other four and see if they feel less like a disturbing montage in Rosemary's Baby or A Clockwork Orange. On the off chance anyone is reading this in real time, I invite you to stick around for comments on the others. Maybe I am just weird this morning, who knows?

Library copy

[Lydia Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book everrrrr

[Slytano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my least favorite Paul Galdone book. His art is always great, and I really enjoyed that, but the story is ridiculous. It is a rhyming book that includes animal sounds, but most of the animal sounds are wrong. A cat doesn't go fiddle-i-fee! A goose doesn't go swishy, swashy! Try reading this to a group of kids, and they will just shout at you that the animal sounds are all wrong.

Also, there is only one rhyme...I had a [animal] and the [animal] pleased me, I fed the [animal] by yonder tree. Okay. If you are only going to have one rhyme, why on earth make it this one? The animal pleased you? What does that mean? And why did you take it out behind the tree to feed it? What the hell are these animals doing to Paul Galdone that is so pleasing? Also, I don't fancy the word "yonder" at all. That pretty much sums up how I feel about this creepy book.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old English cumulative rhyme introduces young children to their favorite farm animals with verses that prompt them to learn the sound that each animal makes.



English poetry
Nursery rhymes, English
Children's poetry, English

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

When is an ear worm not a worm? When it's a song about a cat.

Artist Paul Galdone picked a real winner for this picture book by sharing an educational song, illustrating it with adorable, quirky illustrations.

EDUCATIONAL SONG?

Sure. Kids can learn to name the sounds that animals make. Not that I'd vouch for the accuracy.

Did you ever hear any cat make a sound like "Fiddlie-I-Fee"? I've loved cats. I've owned cats. Never have I heard one go "Fiddlie-I-Fee."

STILL THIS "EDUCATIONAL SONG" CAN BE USEFUL

It's useful for toddlers making sense of their world.

And it's differently useful for young readers.

Plus, it's fun to sing. Might even be fun to accompany with a guitar.

Fun, fun, fun, fun!

RATING THIS BOOK

Of course it deserves FIVE STARS, imo. And the best reason of all is how Paul Galdone has illustrated this book with the best collection of animals I've ever seen... where each animal is making a face that reads like a credible human interest expression. Fascinating!

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it more than Miss 4. The illustrations didn't appeal to her and she's not a big fan of cumulative rhymes. I hoped the lyrical sing-song aspect of the story would appeal to her but no such luck. It has more nostalgia for me as an old English rhyming song.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Allyson Goose · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6-year-old and 4-year-old liked this cumulative rhyming book. The rhyme itself and the animal sounds are a bit odd (what animals go griffy, gruffy or swishy, swashy?), but the illustrations were sweet and I like exposing them to some folk tales occasionally.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan spring reading 2017, children's book, picture book, sing along, folktales, classics, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, series, a folk tale classic,

[Mister David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes the text of the song, but no musical score. Small-sized picture book with old-fashioned looking illustrations, published in 1985. Good visual for accompanying the singing of the song.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great use of repetition Goes through a list of animals and the noises they make. Great for a toddler.

[Kathryn Chipchase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay for a very young audience

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: fairy tale/folklore fans; readers looking for a classic retelling that is accessible for young readers.

Possible red flags: some may find too repetitive; animal noises are not usual animal noises.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a song I used to sing as a child. Loved seeing it in story form.

For the classic children's stories, I love to go to Paul Galdone's books. His illustrations are charmingly old school and his telling of the age-old stories spot on.

Ages: 3 -7

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[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little song about a bunch of farm animals. Each is described by the sound they make, although some of the sounds are a bit strange. The song is cumulative and repetitive and will appeal to young children. The illustrations are colorful and the animals are cute. I love the cat on the cover.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ramona loves this one at 13 months. Because I sing it. Now that she can walk, she follows you around the house proffering it in her little hand, vehemently 'enhhh!'ing at you until you stop and put her in your lap and read/sing it to her. She doesn't usually make it past the goose, but to be fair, it's a long book for her.

[Emily's Storytime Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I'm not a huge fan of the book in general, once again I like being able to interact with the kids. Talking about the animals and the noises they make is something they enjoy.

[Monalisa Johnson-brown]

The book is about the animals who were fed and they made their sounds while the cat said fiddle-i-fee. while all the animals were the asleep grandma came and fed the cat and he was happy.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Galdone's trademark illustrations make this a striking rendition of a traditional rhyme/song. The cumulative story is on the long side so would work better with slightly older children.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one makes a fantastic storytime read-aloud as well as a wonderful felt board or play-along game (die cuts or stuffed animals work). Fun to sing, read and share! :) (preschool - 2nd)

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book! It's fun to sing the song along with the story.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2 year old loves this rhyming song. She can sing all the weird sounds for the animals.

[The Book Maven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable and fun book to read/sing to your child--however, its size makes it less than ideal for reading to large groups.

Still...SO CUTE.

[M. Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very small book, but large pictures. Should be sun, and good for singalongs

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the cat is illustrated. He looks so happy all the time.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition adapted and illustrated by Paul Galdone.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

long but fun. lots of animals to identify and sound. really need them to buy in, though.

[Jasmine Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. :)