Whether children of the modern age would even think of reading this I don’t know, but I for one enjoyed the simple pacing that motors along, with the odd surprise along the way. It is more of a personal journey as Peter grows up during its course and Jennie learns to value human company again. This is more of an adventure: our hero suddenly finding himself as a cat and must learn how to fend for himself. Although there are moments of danger, from falling off ships and being pursued by dogs, there isn’t a lot of action. Unlike other stories that grab you around the throat and pull you in, Jennie never does that.

Nevertheless, this is a true tale of friendship. How Gallico managed to imagine things the way a cat might is amazing and I don’t know how he did it! The story does loose it’s thread at some points, especially when it get very reflective or informative, and I remember as a child skipping parts because I got bored of it. The way Jennie teaches Peter, particularly the first lesson of ‘When in doubt-wash’, is so simple and yet really looks into the differences between cat and human. There’s even a pub fight at one point! The real charm of this book is, of course, its cat perspective.

It also deals with some really adult themes, including love, death, fear and fate. It is a children’s book, technically, and Peter’s viewpoint really helps with this. If you can get over this though then settle down for a beautifully written story. Fortunately, he is rescued by stray tabby Jennie, who learns of his true human origins and agrees, despite her hatred of humans, to teach him the ways of the cat.ĭue to this being written in 1950, the language is a little strange for modern tastes (the use of the word gay now gaining another meaning when back then it simply meant happy) and there are some sociological differences (Jennie’s want of a male to lead her is at odds to the more equal society we have now). The once friendly streets of London turn into something terrifying, especially when at the end of his energy he is beaten by the aggressive Dempsey. After an accident, Peter finds himself transformed into a white cat and kicked out of his home by his Nanny. Peter is an eight year old boy who yearns for a cat to make up for a mother with little time for him, a caring Nanny who hates felines and a father in the army. Jennie follows the tale of two cats, and mostly focuses on the viewpoint of Peter.

This was written by Paul Gallico in 1950, who is more famous for his book The Snow Goose. When I did, I found myself appreciating it more as I got older, and remembered that it was mostly for the gorgeous cat on the front, plus feeling sorry that so many old books were being sold, that got me this tale. This book actually has a bit of personal history for me: I brought it for 10p at my school library ages ago, and it took me a while to summon the motivation to read a clearly old book.

Jennie gallico