The Cat and the Captain

by Elizabeth Coatsworth, Bernice Loewenstein (Illustrator)

Although the Captain's cat has a knack for finding trouble and infuriating Tillie Todd, the housekeeper, the pet proves invaluable in a crisis

Genres: Cats, Childrens

56 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth was best known as the author of Away Goes Sally, The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which won the 1931 Newbery Medal, and the four Incredible Tales, but in fact she wrote more than 90 books for children. She was extremely interested in the world around her, particularly the people of Maine, as well as the houses and the surrounding land. She also loved the history and myths of her favorite places, those near her home and those encountered on her countless travels.

Coatsworth graduated from Vassar College in 1915 and received a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1916. In 1929, she married writer Henry Beston, with whom she had two children. When she was in her thirties, her first books of adult poetry were published. For over fifty years, she continued to write and publish poetry in collections and to weave poems between the chapters of her books of fiction.

Reviews

[chuchu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun read and it has all the aesthetics I enjoy

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The size is deceptive, making it look like a choice for reading aloud. There is far too much text and the cat's personality is not the cute or cuddly kind.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming children’s book was first published in 1927. As the title implies, it is the story of a captain and his ship’s cat. Now stateside as the captain suffers with rheumatism, the cat lives at the captain’s home. The captain’s housekeeper is not at all fond of the cat, but a startling incident affects how everyone views the now heroic cat. The author does a good job of portraying the tough yet likable cat, and the lovely black and white illustrations by Bernice Loewenstein add much to the enjoyment of the tale. Though nearly 100 years have passed since this book first hit the shelves, it is just as wonderful for today’s children to read as it must have been for those who were kids so many decades ago.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 3-5 / gr 2-4 52 pgs

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a delightful little cat story from 1927, found at The Finishing Touch in Carrollton, Texas.