A poor young farmer with a dreamy soul, Cobbie Bean hadn't the gift of getting, as his wealthy cousin Captain Bean did, nor the gift of doing, as his famous cousin Deacon Bean did. Castigated by these relations for his laziness and lack of ambition, Cobbie was warned that he might just be bewitched. After all, hadn't a cat in witch's hat and cloak come to his christening, giving him (of all things!) the gift of happiness? It wasn't long after this warning that Cobbie met the very cat in question, and through the machinations of this magical feline, became a wealthy gentleman who spread happiness throughout the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Envy is a powerful force however, and when Cobbie breaks his word about never revealing the magical source of his newfound wealth, he soon finds himself accused of witchcraft. Would his remarkable feline be able to save him, and if so, what price would she have to pay...?

Originally published in the pages of Jack and Jill magazine in 1956, The Wonderful Cat of Cobbie Bean was published on its own by the Philadelphia-based John C. Winston Company in 1957, with the accompanying artwork of artist Jacob Landau. It was subsequently included in the Arrow Book of Ghost Stories anthology, edited by Nora Kramer and published in 1960. I was excited to read this story, after finding it on a list of witchy picture books—a particular pet project of mine—especially as I greatly enjoyed author Barbee Oliver Carleton's atmospheric children's mystery, The Witches Bridge (also known as Mystery of the Witches' Bridge). I was in no way disappointed. Although an original story, this had the flavor of a folktale, with the two cousins, the magical cat, the unexpected transformation of the hero, and the last-minute rescue. The story is engrossing, and I suspect it would have been a favorite, if I had read it as a child. The accompanying artwork from Landau, done in black and white with alternating green and orange washes, was likewise fascinating, and very expressive. I appreciated the hatching in these pictures, and their fluid sense of movement, throughout. Although the artwork is significant enough that I wouldn't call it a mistake to label this a picture-book, it is very text heavy, and even has chapters. If anything, it's more of a profusely illustrated short story, in picture-book format. Recommended to young fantasy and fairy-tale fans who enjoy magical, witchy fare. ( )