Mrs. Crump's Cat

by Linda Smith, David Roberts (Illustrator)

From Linda Smith and David Roberts comes a funny, heartwarming tale about the wonderful things that can happen when you open your door to friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2006

About the author

Linda Smith is the author of When Moon Fell Down, Mrs. Biddlebox, There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Boot, and the Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book Mrs. Crump's Cat. Linda lived a full life in a short period of time. On June 28, 2000, she passed away after a two-year battle with breast cancer, but she left behind a world of language, love, and good humor that shines through in her books.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's such a sweet, touching, authentic-feeling story about (slightly grumpy) Mrs. Crump and the cat who purrs his way into her heart. Smith does a great job illustrating the ways the cat endears himself to Mrs. Crump bit by bit, and how Mrs. Crump begins to soften and smile more and more. It's so cute and funny and poignant! A great story to show how caring for someone, loving someone, beyond oneself can open up the world in a beautiful new light.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I just loved this book. It’s such a sweet, and quite funny, story about a stray (orange!) cat and how it works its way into the heart of a woman who “has no use for a cat” but ends up having a soft spot in her heart.

The story and illustrations had me smiling all the way through, though I’m a bit envious of Mrs. Crump.

All cat lovers, or even those who know cats, are sure to enjoy this story and its illustrations.

This is a wonderful book for teaching about animal rescue or for anyone who’s about to adopt an animal or for anyone who’s ever adopted a stray animal.

This is the kind of picture book (along with books by favorite authors such as Patricia Polacco) that will prevent me from ever completely giving up reading picture books. Thank you to Kathryn for alerting me to this book! I’m so glad it was one I got and read immediately.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a beautiful golden cat turns up on Mrs. Crump's porch one rainy day, the older woman wants nothing to do with it. Cats, of course, have their own ideas about these sorts of things, and soon the feline is ensconced before Mrs. Crump's fire, and turning up his nose at the slice of bread she offers him. Determined to put the cat out as soon as it is dry, Mrs. Crump instead finds herself buying some cream down at the local grocery story, giving the cat a bath when she discovers he has fleas, investing in a nice collar with a bell, and generally acting like any other person captivated by their feline. When wise Mr. Henry at the grocery store suggests that she put up signs to find the cat's former owner, but accept it as her own if no one responds, Mrs. Crump produces the perfect announcement - "Found. One sneak, finicky, troublesome, WET yellow cat with FLEAS" - and waits to see if anyone gets in touch.

A delightful tale of a somewhat curmudgeonly older woman who discovers the feline companionship she never knew she was missing, Mrs. Crump's Cat is the kind of animal story that I love! There's something about a homeless kitty finding a safe and loving home and family that just speaks to me, probably because I am such a cat-lover myself. Author Linda Smith, who (according to the biographical blurb on the rear dust-jacket flap) sadly died after writing this, really captures the appeal of our feline friends: their winning ways, and cunning tricks. Illustrator David Roberts does the same with his charming artwork, as both Mrs. Crump and her exquisite golden cat emerge as distinct and appealing characters in his quirky and expressive paintings. Highly recommended to all young cat lovers, and to those who read them stories!

[Christine Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book. Lovely read

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can relate to this story. We have 2 cats and they both came to us sort of the same way, sneaky little critters.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love this book. It is nice to see someone change and, there is a cat in it. :) They liked the way the lady is a bit grumpy but starts to bend and they loved predicting what would happen.

[Heather Arawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's books for cat lovers.

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love a cat story 😸💜

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

We found this book at the library, and I'm so glad we did! What a cute story about how a cat finds its way into a woman's heart.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Crump has no need for a cat, so she's a little disgruntled when an exquisite golden cat appears on her porch step one rainy day. When the cat slips inside, she decides when the cat is dry she'll send it on its way. But then, much to her surprise, she finds herself buying a little red pet dish at the store that night. After a flea bath, several pints of cream, and a few more purchases, the store owner finally sums it up perfectly: "Cats are clever that way. Before you know it, you'll be sitting by the fire with the cat on your lap, wondering how you ever got along without it." So true!

[Ruhama · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of how a stray cat changes an older woman's life. Mrs. Crump is determined to get rid of the cat, but somehow she can't seem to manage, as bits of her heart melt into kindness toward this loving creature. In the end, she keeps the cat and is much better for it. The illustrations are colorful and crisp and the cat is quite cute. The text doesn't spell everything out for you plainly, causing readers to think and infer, which I found refreshing. Anyone who has ever found a stray cat worming its way into your heart will appreciate this book.

A Charlotte Zolotow winner.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A crotchety woman finds a stray cat on her porch. She has no use for cats and plans to get rid of it...but it sneaks inside her house. She decides she better feed it...and THEN get rid of it. But then it seems a waste to get rid of it before it finishes the cream she purchased. Slowly her disposition begins to change as she allows the cat to worm its way into her heart.

The illustrations were not in a style that I cared for much.

My 7 year old also read this book and loved it.

[Brandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a cute short story about a lady who doesn't want to adopt a stray cat that turns up at her house, but then of course she starts to like the cat and gives in. I liked it because the same thing happened to me and now we have Genie! I read this one to the Kindergarteners and they loved it. Their reactions often dictate my reviews on kids books.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy anything with David Roberts illustrations. For somebody who has been used a lot to illustrate macabre subject matter, he is capable of remarkably sweet illustrations. This is an example. The cat is delightful. Sunshine yellow and smiling throughout. The story is subtle and funny and sweet. I liked it a lot.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our girls love this story -- we've borrowed it several times from the library. It has a delightful narrative and humorous illustrations. We are suckers for cat stories and this one is sure to please.

[Jacquelyn DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it to my third grade class yesterday and did a lesson on prediction. They loved it. When I first pulled it out they thought it was going to be too babyish for them but they ate it up! The room was so quiet. Really cute story of an old grumpy lady who is found by a cat.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great animal lovers story. It is about a woman who finds a cat on her doorstep. She does not want to take the cat in but she brings him in and feeds him, cleans him, and keeps him warm and dry. By the end she is grateful for the cats love and companionship.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a true portrayal of how a cat can worm themselves into a person's life. Love the interesting illustrations, and how the author wrote this heartwarming book. Hope you were looking down Linda, a this story was shared at our PJ storytime.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Crump definitely does not want a cat, but when one shows up on her door step one day, she finds herself doing things that would indicate she's keeping the cat instead of getting rid of it. Very cute and endearing story.

Love the illustrations.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think with this book, I'm officially a full fledged David Roberts devotee.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "wet, yellow, sneaky, picky, stray cat with fleas" works its magic on lonely Mrs. Crump's heart. We love this heart-warming story.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a pet that you didn't want in the beginning, and that pet has really grown on you, this book is for you!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will add a "favorites" shelf so that I can add this sweet and wonderfully illustrated book to it!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cats are indeed very clever. I thought this was a great book especially if you like cats.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

good--

[Tanya Wadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice children's book that shows how a woman comes to love a stray cat that she never intended to keep.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a story about a reluctant cat owner. "Cats are sneaky that way." A good readaloud for kindergarteners.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the illustrations in this book. What a nice little world.

[Jamie Mood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the same verve, in terms of read-aloud books, as Bark, George, but fun.