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Mog the Forgetful Cat #4
MOG în întuneric
Mog stătea în întuneric. Mog se gândea în întuneric. Mog nu voia să fie în întuneric...
Dar cine mai era acolo, în întuneric?
Judith Kerr este autoarea şi ilustratoarea îndrăgitelor cărţi pentru copii din seria Mog şi Tigrul care a venit la ceai. A mai scris trei romane inspirate din propria copilărie, printre care When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Cărţile ei pentru copii s-au vândut în peste 5 milioane de exemplare
şi au devenit clasice.
Dar cine mai era acolo, în întuneric?
Judith Kerr este autoarea şi ilustratoarea îndrăgitelor cărţi pentru copii din seria Mog şi Tigrul care a venit la ceai. A mai scris trei romane inspirate din propria copilărie, printre care When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Cărţile ei pentru copii s-au vândut în peste 5 milioane de exemplare
şi au devenit clasice.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
4 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Judith Kerr
116 books379 followersJudith Kerr was a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the Second World War.
Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.
Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 30, 2018
Mog, that rather befuddled feline whose story began in
Mog the Forgetful Cat
, returns in this delightfully surreal nighttime adventure, finding herself shut out of her house, and growing increasingly frightened of the possible dangers - conjured up by a vivid imagination - lurking in the dark. Imagining gigantic birds with teeth, and flying dogs, she retreats to her favorite tree, where she eventually falls asleep, and dreams that she is being transported back to her family. Only it isn't her family! It's a family of mousedogbirds...
A truly bizarre little book, Mog in the Dark was originally published in 1983, and was the fourth of Judith Kerr's titles to feature this adorably confused, and sweetly silly little cat. Unlike the original entry in the series - the only other Mog title I have thus far read - this book was explicitly written for early readers, and the text (according to a brief note at the front) has a vocabulary limit of approximately fifty words. This necessitates a somewhat repetitive, and rather formulaic narrative, in comparison to the original, but also results in a somewhat sing-songy style that suits the surreal hijinks. The happy ending, after all Mog's self-inflicted trouble, is quite satisfying, despite not being entirely unexpected.
I don't know that I cared for this one, quite as much as the first, but I'm glad to have stumbled across a copy (my library system only has the first), and would definitely read more about Mog (there are seventeen titles, in total), if given the chance!
A truly bizarre little book, Mog in the Dark was originally published in 1983, and was the fourth of Judith Kerr's titles to feature this adorably confused, and sweetly silly little cat. Unlike the original entry in the series - the only other Mog title I have thus far read - this book was explicitly written for early readers, and the text (according to a brief note at the front) has a vocabulary limit of approximately fifty words. This necessitates a somewhat repetitive, and rather formulaic narrative, in comparison to the original, but also results in a somewhat sing-songy style that suits the surreal hijinks. The happy ending, after all Mog's self-inflicted trouble, is quite satisfying, despite not being entirely unexpected.
I don't know that I cared for this one, quite as much as the first, but I'm glad to have stumbled across a copy (my library system only has the first), and would definitely read more about Mog (there are seventeen titles, in total), if given the chance!
October 13, 2020
I remember reading this book in my own childhood but re-reading it now, it seemed stranger than I remembered! The book uses a traditional and formulaic repetitive structure, which reads in an almost song-like manner. This does greatly limit the vocabulary used, making it accessible to younger readers and it is useful for introducing the concept of rhyming words. The fictional birds and mousedogbirds would be good for creating a new short story or as a starting point for an art project about imaginary/composite animals. The happy ending is quite satisfying, emphasising the importance of family but I feel there is no deeper meaning, nor is the story in itself particularly engaging, hence the low star review.
September 10, 2012
This book is about Mog the cat who gets locked out of her house. She gets increasingly worried about what could happen to her while out in the dark alone. When she begins to think of flying dogs and birds with teeth, she retreats to her favourite tree where she falls fast asleep. She dreams about supper and that she is back with her family - but the dream turns into a nightmare about 'mousedogbirds'.
The reason I choose to review this book is because it was the first book that I remember loving as a child. What made it more special was that my mum won the book for me on a radio competition.
The book itself would be good for beginner readers as it has a vocabulary limit of around 50 words. The sentence structure is a bit repetitive but it adds a bit of rhythm to it too. There are also some nice illustrations and colours.
Some ideas for class might be;
- have children say aloud the sentences that repeat (when reading aloud).
- using the fictional characters and colours as inspiration for art (mousedogbirds).
- matching rhyming words.
The reason I choose to review this book is because it was the first book that I remember loving as a child. What made it more special was that my mum won the book for me on a radio competition.
The book itself would be good for beginner readers as it has a vocabulary limit of around 50 words. The sentence structure is a bit repetitive but it adds a bit of rhythm to it too. There are also some nice illustrations and colours.
Some ideas for class might be;
- have children say aloud the sentences that repeat (when reading aloud).
- using the fictional characters and colours as inspiration for art (mousedogbirds).
- matching rhyming words.
April 25, 2015
This is actually a premier's reading challenge book. Like.. seriously? I like the Mog books and so does Matt. This is not a good one of them. Mog has a trippy dream and makes up words. It is nonsensical hallucinatory crap, like anyone describing their dream to you is. Interesting to them, bloody annoying to the listener.
"And then the bird grew teeth and was actually a mousedogbird!"
"...Fascinating."
"And then the bird grew teeth and was actually a mousedogbird!"
"...Fascinating."
November 15, 2019
Not my favorite Mog story but I do love Judith Kerr’s illustrations.
October 6, 2022
This book is a trip
May 10, 2025
But my house is here, and here are my people.
February 21, 2024
Read to my son at bedtime. 🌙
Our first Mog book, about all of Mog's thoughts in the night. We discover that Mog would much prefer to be with their people, and then dreams about all the awful things!
A nice story.
Our first Mog book, about all of Mog's thoughts in the night. We discover that Mog would much prefer to be with their people, and then dreams about all the awful things!
A nice story.
November 1, 2012
Mog sat in the dark and thought dark thoughts.
It strikes me as interesting that one of my favourite books as when I wasn't even 10 was published the year I was born (1983 - which additionally is when another favourite, So You Want To Be a Wizard, was also published - that's coming later this month).
But that's by the by.
Mog was a series of children's books created by Judith Kerr. I had two when I was a child; Mog and the Baby and Mog in the Dark. The latter was always my favourite - I suspect to the chagrin of my mother, whose tastes has always run more to realism than my leanings towards the fantastical.
Basically, Mog is the family pet who has been left outside in the dark. Hence, Mog sits in the dark and things dark thoughts. Dark thoughts that involve giant mice and big birds with teeth, all out to get poor Mog who just wants to be inside with her people and her supper. As Mog's imagination and sleepiness start to grow, we find ourselves in a world of Mousedogbird's and Mog finding the ability to fly, until... she wakes up, and finally gets her supper.
It's hard to know why exactly I loved this. I think it was partly in Mog flying, partly in her wild imagination that grew her prey into her own predators. I think also the way the words were placed on the page, how the words told the story. (It was intended for very young readers, and I think it has a vocab of only about 50 words.) The repetition and rythmn of it is something that has stayed with me, and on hearing it again recently, it brought back lovely warm feelings, not just of childhood comfort, but of an awakening imagination (which I'm now inflicting on all your poor sods. ;) )
Hearing? Well, if you have a bit of time, a lovely lady has read the book on this YouTube video. Radiohead fans might be especially interested...
Inky Brown reads Mog in the Dark
--
And who else is writing for Nanolomo? Click to find out!
It strikes me as interesting that one of my favourite books as when I wasn't even 10 was published the year I was born (1983 - which additionally is when another favourite, So You Want To Be a Wizard, was also published - that's coming later this month).
But that's by the by.
Mog was a series of children's books created by Judith Kerr. I had two when I was a child; Mog and the Baby and Mog in the Dark. The latter was always my favourite - I suspect to the chagrin of my mother, whose tastes has always run more to realism than my leanings towards the fantastical.
Basically, Mog is the family pet who has been left outside in the dark. Hence, Mog sits in the dark and things dark thoughts. Dark thoughts that involve giant mice and big birds with teeth, all out to get poor Mog who just wants to be inside with her people and her supper. As Mog's imagination and sleepiness start to grow, we find ourselves in a world of Mousedogbird's and Mog finding the ability to fly, until... she wakes up, and finally gets her supper.
It's hard to know why exactly I loved this. I think it was partly in Mog flying, partly in her wild imagination that grew her prey into her own predators. I think also the way the words were placed on the page, how the words told the story. (It was intended for very young readers, and I think it has a vocab of only about 50 words.) The repetition and rythmn of it is something that has stayed with me, and on hearing it again recently, it brought back lovely warm feelings, not just of childhood comfort, but of an awakening imagination (which I'm now inflicting on all your poor sods. ;) )
Hearing? Well, if you have a bit of time, a lovely lady has read the book on this YouTube video. Radiohead fans might be especially interested...
Inky Brown reads Mog in the Dark
--
And who else is writing for Nanolomo? Click to find out!
October 31, 2020
I am so sad Judith Kerr has died and will never write any more books. Having said that, she already decided to let Mog die, and wasn't going to write any more Mog books. All the more reason to buy the entire Mog series and read them with your kids. They are wonderfully real stories of a very lovable cat and her human family.
March 6, 2015
Mog in the Dark is about Mog the cat experiencing the dangers of being outside at night compared to his daily routine of being a cat at home in his nice warm basket and with his family. This was the first time I’d ever read a book by Judith Kerr and her continued Mog books, even though I’ve been hearing about Mog for years. I have to say I was excited to dive in with my daughter, but it was quite clear from the start that this was not a book that we were going to enjoy. The main problem was that the story was so repetitive that I found it quite difficult to read it. My daughter – who is nearly 4 years didn’t appear to be that impressed either. Usually with a book she’ll point out what she likes or gets excited, but she didn’t do that with Mog in the Dark. Maybe she was a little young for it, I’m not sure but for us, this book didn’t work but I won’t rule out reading more of stories about Mog.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2016
I blame Sainsbury's. Yep. It's Sainsbury's fault that I read the most boring children's book I've ever read. "What's Sainsbury's?" you might ask. A grocery chain in England. If you haven't watched them, rush over to Youtube and watch Sainsbury's Christmas commercials. They really are wonderful.
The newest one featured Mog, England's most beloved cat, so of course I had to read the story. Ummmmmm.... maybe it's better if you loved it as a child? Hmmmm.... I didn't like the art - at all. And, the story was ho hum. No thanks. I'll stick to the commercial. That was good.
The newest one featured Mog, England's most beloved cat, so of course I had to read the story. Ummmmmm.... maybe it's better if you loved it as a child? Hmmmm.... I didn't like the art - at all. And, the story was ho hum. No thanks. I'll stick to the commercial. That was good.
April 15, 2016
"Mog thought, who is that?
Who is that in the dark?
Is that a bird?
Birds are not bad.
But it may be a big bird.
It ma be a big bird with teeth.
A big bird with teeth can be bad.
Big birds with teeth
can be bad in the dark"
What kind of Charlie Day nightmare?
Who is that in the dark?
Is that a bird?
Birds are not bad.
But it may be a big bird.
It ma be a big bird with teeth.
A big bird with teeth can be bad.
Big birds with teeth
can be bad in the dark"
What kind of Charlie Day nightmare?
May 25, 2019
This book is very different than the rest of the Mog series and not in a good way.
It felt to me like the author is trying to pull a 'Dr. Seuss' (whom I love) and failing miserably.
I would even say it is quite disturbing.
It felt to me like the author is trying to pull a 'Dr. Seuss' (whom I love) and failing miserably.
I would even say it is quite disturbing.
January 9, 2019
A bit of a weird one, but great to have a book which looks at nightmares
April 13, 2025
Mog sat in the dark.
Mog thought in the dark.
Mog sat in the dark
and thought dark thoughts.
Mog thought, I am here.
I am here in the dark,
but where are they?
Today has been a joyous Sunday of reading and relaxing. As well as yesterday's charity shop finds, I have also had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of a new Chapter in an ongoing graphic novel series. A full review of that will follow once the book is available on Goodreads.
Following that, I am back onto charity shop finds. We have always kept an eye out for Judith Kerr, especially this series of Mog the Forgetful Cat books. You may know her better from the children's classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
This book sees Mog trapped outside at night. Left alone with their thoughts, Mog dreams of unseen dangers, some of which are rather bizarre.
Overall this felt a bit like a fever dream and certainly not up to the high bar that Kerr has set herself. Only 2 1/2 stars.
Mog thought in the dark.
Mog sat in the dark
and thought dark thoughts.
Mog thought, I am here.
I am here in the dark,
but where are they?
Today has been a joyous Sunday of reading and relaxing. As well as yesterday's charity shop finds, I have also had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of a new Chapter in an ongoing graphic novel series. A full review of that will follow once the book is available on Goodreads.
Following that, I am back onto charity shop finds. We have always kept an eye out for Judith Kerr, especially this series of Mog the Forgetful Cat books. You may know her better from the children's classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
This book sees Mog trapped outside at night. Left alone with their thoughts, Mog dreams of unseen dangers, some of which are rather bizarre.
Overall this felt a bit like a fever dream and certainly not up to the high bar that Kerr has set herself. Only 2 1/2 stars.
January 17, 2024
Mog looks like a normal-sized cat, but her imagination is prodigious.
Throughout most of this picturebook Mog expresses fears that children might have, fears of the dark. Only her over-the-top fears might prove quite reassuring to readers.
FOR EXAMPE
My favorite two-page spread shows a fantastical tree, loaded with many kinds of dog.
Beneath the tree we see Mog, scared and wondering things:
They may be dogs who can climb.
Dogs who can climb can be bad.
What do dogs who can climb do?
What do they eat?
WHO do they eat?
WHAT'S THE BEAUTY PART?
Mog's fears are likely not contagious, not even for imaginative children.
Besides, visuals of Mog worrying alternate with reassuring pictures of her family. These humans are just so nice.
FIVE STARS of ingenious reassurance! Which is why I shelve it under WRITING, as well as the more usual shelves.
Throughout most of this picturebook Mog expresses fears that children might have, fears of the dark. Only her over-the-top fears might prove quite reassuring to readers.
FOR EXAMPE
My favorite two-page spread shows a fantastical tree, loaded with many kinds of dog.
Beneath the tree we see Mog, scared and wondering things:
They may be dogs who can climb.
Dogs who can climb can be bad.
What do dogs who can climb do?
What do they eat?
WHO do they eat?
WHAT'S THE BEAUTY PART?
Mog's fears are likely not contagious, not even for imaginative children.
Besides, visuals of Mog worrying alternate with reassuring pictures of her family. These humans are just so nice.
FIVE STARS of ingenious reassurance! Which is why I shelve it under WRITING, as well as the more usual shelves.
April 10, 2019
Oof... my daughter loves all the Mog books, and clearly she enjoys this one too, since she asked me to read her "the one where he's flying in the dark" the other day (we don't own this one, only borrowed it from the library).
But for me, this is the worst entry in the series (of the ones I've read) - there's no story really, just a big hallucinatory dream sequence involving some MouseDogBird creature which has its moments but is just not very enjoyable overall. And it's repetitive too - Mog's Amazing Birthday Caper has a big dream scene too, and a much better one at that. Disappointing.
But for me, this is the worst entry in the series (of the ones I've read) - there's no story really, just a big hallucinatory dream sequence involving some MouseDogBird creature which has its moments but is just not very enjoyable overall. And it's repetitive too - Mog's Amazing Birthday Caper has a big dream scene too, and a much better one at that. Disappointing.
January 12, 2023
Mog gets shut out of the house and starts to feel scared. Soon her fears exaggerate and small worries become huge scarry things that just aren't there. She has a magical adventure and eventually returns home. Family and Mog are glad to be together again.
This was quite unlike the other Mog stories, it has less text and I think was written much later for a celebration of Mog's anniversary. This could be a good story to read with a child and discuss how fears can sometimes not be as bad as we think or just viewed as a silly story to laugh about.
This was quite unlike the other Mog stories, it has less text and I think was written much later for a celebration of Mog's anniversary. This could be a good story to read with a child and discuss how fears can sometimes not be as bad as we think or just viewed as a silly story to laugh about.
October 16, 2019
Well this was a bit weird to say the least - almost as if Judith Kerr was on something at the time. There is none of the lighthearted sweet stories of the other Mog tales, but instead a dark hallucination without a story. Not one of the better entries in the series and can be quite happily missed out!
August 10, 2023
Do children's picture books count you ask in a reading challenge??? Absolutely! I love the Mog series and am rereading them all. They bring me joy. Mog is such a loveable character - everything about Mog is wonderful. She is so full of life and love and questions herself constantly. She always knows what love it and where to find it. She is a brilliant character.
November 6, 2024
I can't fault the depiction of Mog's dreams, but this is a bit of a pain to read out loud with its repetitive sentence-building. Fewer pages or more content would be an improvement. My daughter loved it.
May 26, 2019
What a poignant day to have read some Mog to Reception...
February 21, 2020
Best part was the scary hoopoe bird!
December 14, 2020
A sweet book with nice illustrations.
November 5, 2021
It’s pretty dark for a kids book. I am rereading these for my eldest daughter and she loves it, I am not convinced, think cat on a bad LSD trip 😹😹😹
September 23, 2022
My little one loved it
July 25, 2023
3.5 stars - Mog is stuck outside and begins to wonder what else is out there with her. This was actually pretty creepy for a kids book: "Big Birds with teeth can be bad in the dark".
June 17, 2024
Some ideas and images that some younger children might find scary, apart from that it's just tedious- like someone telling you their boring dream.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews