The Tobermory Cat Postal Book

by Debi Gliori

A postcard-sized version of Debi Gliori's bestselling book. The ideal gift, featuring the whole of the original Tobermory Cat. Just put a stamp on it and post it!In the village of Tobermory, on the Scottish island of Mull, lives a very special ginger cat. But once upon a time he didn't think he was special at all - not like the woolly cats of Loch Ba, the singing cats of Staffa or the fishing cats of Fishnish. But now everyone knows about him. He's the cat who has become a legend in his own lifetime by simply being himself. He's the cat who dances on top of the fish van; the cat who speaks to otters; the cat who drives the big yellow digger; the cat who rides on top of cars. He's the Tobermory Cat.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Scotland, Cats

32 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Debi Gliori (born 1959) is a Scottish author and illustrator of children's books.
She grew up as an only child in Glasgow, and when young began drawing and writing stories. She started writing children's books in 1976, and attended art school in Edinburgh from 1979 to 1984. She then received a travelling scholarship award to go to Milan, and worked as a freelance from 1984 onwards.
She is the author/illustrator of many books for children including Mr Bear, the winner of a Children's Book Award. She is best known for her black comedy Pure Dead series for older children, which display strong elements of family lives amid dark and fantasy-based plots.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming children's book, with delightful watercolor illustrations, shows the importance of being yourself -- even when you don't think you're anything special.

The titular cat wants to do something to call attention to the picturesque village where he resides (I have been to some of the places mentioned), but nothing works ... until he decides to take a nap in the middle of the road. Suddenly, everyone wants his photo ... and the businesses around him are full of people due to the traffic jam he causes.

A cute book with an important message.

[Ape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this out of the library, bit too long for my little one. But I like cats and love Scotland so I think I'd been drawn to it more for me! Bit of nostalgia seeing Mull in a book, and it's a cute enough story, although in the land of kid's stories, there's maybe not enough to it. Depends more on its lovely illustrations and the fact that it's set in real places. Nice message as well that essentially there's something special about everyone and you should just be yourself.

[Angel Serrano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probablemente dedicado a los amantes de los gatos. Mi hija pequeña claramente prefiere a los perros, porque el libro no le llamó la atención en absoluto. La historia no es muy original, aunque las ilustraciones son interesantes.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst living in Scotland for the final few months, I want to consciously try to read as many books set within the country as I can. Debi Gliori is an author whom I am familiar with; I really enjoyed her Pure Dead Magic series as a child. I also adore cats, as anyone who knows me is fully aware of; thus, The Tobermory Cat seemed like the perfect choice to borrow from my online library. This is a nice little book, with sweet illustrations, and I definitely would have loved it had it been released when I was a child.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Hebridean island of Mull just off the coast of Scotland; each village is famous for its cats. Soft fluffy cats, smart fishing cats, even arrogant unconcerned cats. But in the village of Tobermory, the cats are just cats. Ordinary every day cats lying about, eating fish, staring out to sea. The people of Tobermory want a special cat to help bring visitors to town. Have you ever tried to train a cat?????? Discover the antics of the Tobermory Cat in this delightful children's book about a place far far away across the sea. Unless you live in Scotland of course.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cats and so does Miss 3 so this was a big hit with us! Lovely message about being yourself and having goals. The link to the 'Hey Diddle' nursery rhyme was a little bit jarring and probably unneeded but Miss 3 seemed to like me reciting it at the end.

Lots of hidden references for adults reading it from linguistic puns to what I'm fairly sure is a nod to 'Jellicoe Cats' and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical.

[Capn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to get listed on several Listopia lists, once I get off the wretched app: the Hebridean islands (Mull!); Clowders & Glarings; children's books based upon nursery rhymes (limping into that one).

A cute and very much non-mainstream sort of story with textured watercolour images on that bumpy sort of paper. Plot-wise, a 2 or 3 from me, but the charm is wholisitic in nature.

[Courtenay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book 's illustrations made me smile - I particularly loved the Hebridean spread of "ordinary" cats and their expressions as they lounge after chasing mice. I think children will love all the movement in the pictures, reminding me distantly of "Where's Waldo" in busy-ness.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I am a child (and bored at work)

[Kit]

Be yourself I guess. That’s how to get special, yes!

Edit: It seems this Tobermory cat is an iteration of Angus Stewart’s published earlier this year. To check out.

[Katey Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tobermory Cat is a picture book written and illustrated by the prolific and popular Debi Gliori. I have read and used Gliori's books at nursery before, and always love the artwork. Gliori has a style that is sharp and detailed. When rereading one of her books, you will notice different details in the artwork than on your initial reading. The illustrations in The Tobermory Cat are no exception, and the people within the illustrations convey obvious emotions to the reader.



Essentially, The Tobermory Cat is a book about embracing difference and recognising the skills and beauty within yourself. Tourists flock to the Scottish island of Mull to see the resident cats and delight in their unique talents. The Hebridean island is abuzz, with the exception of Tobermory. The Tobermory Cat is a very ordinary cat. No one visits Tobermory, and unless things change the bookshop, fish and chip shop and beautiful launderette will close. The Tobermory Cat is keen, keen to help bring in tourists, but how? Advice from his friends stands him in good stead.

My five-year-old said that he liked the story 'a little bit', and that the pictures were 'good, especially the one with the traffic jam'. The book is riddled with intertextual references, some which children will recognise such as the dish and spoon from the nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle and others that seem to be aimed at adult readers, for example the parody of the HOLLYWOOD sign. This isn't my favourite of Gliori's books- whilst the story was nice enough I didn't feel it was as fun as some of her previous offerings- but the illustrations are attractive and bright which will ensure it appeals to younger readers, particularly cat lovers.

7.5/10

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having visited Tobermory on the Scottish island of Mull, I could not resist reading this book. Not that you would want to (resist it, that is). This is a fun story about the importance of being yourself, incorporating bright-and-busy illustrations and abundant references to places of note around the Scottish Highlands. The story is longer than your average picture book, but it has lovely rhymes, alliteration and 'in-house' puns. I enjoyed this book.

[Tracy Enright · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old loved this book. It gives a strong, positive message about the value of being yourself and the rewards that follow, all wrapped up in a sweet story about the antics of a ginger tom who wants to be special like the other cats on the island. The colourful illustrations perfectly support the clear and simple, yet poetic, language in this story.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musical and gorgeous. One of Gliori's finer ones and possibly the first picture book every member in our family (including the ones over 50) gave full marks to. Too clever and cute. A must to curl up with. Oh, and we were delighted to extend our knowledge of Scottish placenames and towns, too!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a cute, very Scottish little read.

I read it in e-book version (bought in an Amazon sale) and there were some issues with word and image placement not lining up well. I suspect this wouldn't be a problem in the paperback so I'd recommend that edition over the e-book.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cat attempts to learn to be special, without realizing he already is.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book teaches you to just be yourself and then you will be important. eh. The pictures are kinda cool. It's a little long.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the cover. Especially the architecture and the colour contrast which is striking.

[James Koppert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, it's good to be yourself

[Marg Corjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations, adorable story line. Bought while on vacation in Scotland, sharing with all my crazy cat lady friends.

[Kattykat]

Teach me how to be special!