Orlando (The Marmalade Cat) Buys a Farm

Orlando the Marmalade Cat #4

by Kathleen Hale

Orlando buys a derelict farm as a present for the kittens, and having tidied up and sorted out all the animals who have been living inside the farmhouse-pits in the parlour armchairs, hens in the plate rack and bees in the spare room-he, Grace and the kittens spend a wonderful year making butter, going to market, harvesting, lambing, and all the work of a farm. This book is especially based on Kathleen Hale's own experiences as a land girl in the First World War.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1942

About the author

Kathleen Hale was born in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire and was brought up in a suburb of Manchester. Her childhood was far from idyllic: her father died when she was very young and she was forced to endure long periods of separation from her mother. This, along with the frustrations of an unexpressed artistic talent, produced a rebellious reaction in the young girl's naturally ebullient nature. However, her talent as an artist was recognised at school by a sympathetic headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls and she went on to attend art courses in Manchester and at the University College, Reading.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

In 1917, Kathleen moved to London to make a life for herself as an artist. She worked for some time as Augustus John's secretary whilst developing a wide circle of friends in the artistic community, such as Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. During the 1920s she earned a living as an illustrator, accepting commissions for book jackets as well as selling her own drawings.

She married Douglas McClean, a young doctor working in medical research. They settled in Hertfordshire where they could bring up their two young sons and entertain their friends. She created Orlando and his world to entertain her children at bedtime. Orlando The Marmalade Cat 'with eyes like twin gooseberries' was one of the classic children's book characters of the 1940s and 1950s. The stories are known for their quirky wit and extravagant illustrations. They combine adventure with friendship and family life. As the creator of Orlando, Kathleen was awarded the OBE in 1976.

Kathleen Hale died on 26 January 2000 at 101 years of age.

Reviews

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob)]

This is a strange book, pretty wordy with very old-fashioned speech and ideas. My daughter really liked the illustrations though as the cats are doing fairly silly things throughout. There are some issues though which prevent me from recommending it fully. Native Americans are depicted in a derogatory manner, called 'red indians' and depicted as going out scalping mice. So, that's pretty unacceptable. But, it's easy to skip the page or change the wording of the page. I opted to change the wording when I read it aloud.

There's kind of that whole colonialist type of attitude too in regards to the other animals on the farm who would be lazy if not for the guidance of their 'betters'.

The art is silly though and my daughter did like that.

I think that it could actually be a good book to read to older children to point out those attitudes in literature especially since you can see that the intention wasn't to be hateful but it was still potentially harmful.

[Cheryl]

The only Orlando book I've been able to find so far. Clever: antlers mounted on a wall prompt one of the kittens to ascribe them (as horns) to a Dilemma, and dogs are known to respond best to doggerel verse.... The pictures are, of course, the highlight. They've creative perspectives and use of space, not to mention humor and bright appeal.

It's also interesting to see some details that I never knew before. For example, the autumn maintenance of "hedging and ditching." The females are just as well-developed as people as the males and all labor. And the story itself just ends after a year, as if this is the last adventure and the series ends with the family settling down (?).

There is one unfortunate spread that includes mention (and pix of) "Red Indians" but it is meant innocently. Just take care to discuss with your youngster.

I do still wish to find more, especially paper editions. This is from OpenLibrary.org.

[Jane]

The logic here may leave you spinning, but the drawings will carry to right along as Orlando takes over and runs a farm successfully.

[Wreade1872]

I feel like i'm being a bit cruel giving this one star, its not offensive in any way, however we live in a big wide world and there's so much else you could be reading.
This is about cats that drive, talk, wear clothes and now run a farm. If that sounds cute and magical, prepare to be disappointed ;) .
There are several anachronisms which would not work at all for a modern audience but the main problem is the writing. Almost every sentence is a statement, there's no flow to it at all. In fact at times it feels like the script was much longer and then brutally stripped down. Or maybe the pictures were done first and then the story was just made up based on them.
Whatever the problem the language completely removes any sense of wonder or character from the book. Pointless.

[Sem]

My love of anthropomorphised animals only extends so far. Attractive art, daft story.

[Andrew Royse]

I absolutely loved reading this book over again! The illustrations of the cat and the farm animals are so cute to look at. This is a great way to introduce kids to the different kinds of farm animals!

[Beverly]

Too much of the "story" was more like short journal or diary entries instead of a story. Busy, colorful illustrations.