This was my favourite book as a child and, having just revisited it, I still think it's a cute story for younger readers. ( )

This book was about a witch's cat called Gobbolino. But who'd heard of a witch's cat like Gobbolino with one white paw, beautiful blue eyes, a faint sheet of tabby on him and preferred sitting by a fire than being evil like a proper witch's cat? Well, as soon as the witch, Grimalkin his mother, and his little sister Sootica found out, they all left him one day in the dark, scary cave.

When Gobbolino trots outside, he goes on many, many adventures - on a ship, in the woods, in a tower - but will he ever find himself as a little kitchen cat as he'd always dreamed? Let's see!

This book wasn't the best, I liked it, but I wouldn't read it a thousand times like I might with Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Mr Gum. But when I sat down on my cosy bed and read a chapter, I got quite into it, but to me I was struggling with all the chapters. Not because there were too many big and hard words, but because I just didn't like it too much. ( )

It tells the story of a little kitten, Gobbolino, whose mother belongs to a witch. But Gobbolino is not like a proper witch’s cat, and unlike his sister Sootica he just doesn’t fit. After being left behind he sets out on a grand adventure trying to find a home where he can be accepted for what he is – but this proves to be far more difficult than he ever imagined.

I read this time after time as a child, and yet I couldn’t really remember the detail – although it soon came back to me. I’m not sure how today’s youngsters would take it (although I don’t think it feels particularly dated) as I don’t suppose it has enough action in it. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed it – it certainly lived up to my fond memories of it. ( )

This is a cute story about a small kitten who was born in a home that he didn't choose to be in, to a lifestyle that he didn't want and to an inheritance that he doesn't want. While his sister chooses to continue with her inheritance and to become the best that she can be on that path Gobbolino chooses that he wants to live a more simple life that is contrary to the path that he normally would take.

The book takes you into the adventures of this special kitten from being abandoned by his mother and his mistress to finding so many good homes but being chased out from each due to the bias of what he was born as even when he shows to be anything but the "normal" witches' cat. And of course by the time Gobbolino comes full circle back to where he started he is also denied by the witches due to his gentle loving ways.

This story will definitely reach the heart of any child who has been seen different since of the background or life they didn't choose since no matter the struggle they don't fit in if they try to escape that first life.

The only thing that stopped this from being a 4-star book for me is the fact that even though I can related to Gobbolino the ending was a bit rushed while not having been the best ending that it could be. Still all in all it was a good general read for a younger audience. ( )

Originally published in 1942, and newly reprinted by Kingfisher, this minor children's classic relates the story of Gobbolino, who, much like the hero of Williams's earlier title Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, is a magical creature cast out into the world and searching for a home.

Although his mother Grimalkin and sister Sootica are both witch's cats, Gobbolino longs to be a kitchen cat instead, to be loved rather than feared. Abandoned by his mother and her witch because his "abnormal" white paw and blue eyes makes him unsuitable as a witch's cat, Gobbolino sets off to find a loving home. In a series of adventures, our hero continually finds what appear to be ideal homes, only to be turned out again when his parentage is revealed, or the circumstances of his human companions change.

How Gobbolino finally did become a kitchen cat, and found the love he so desperately wanted, makes for a charming story. Although this book follows the same basic storyline as Williams's previous work, Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse, the tale of Gobbolino is more emotionally involving. Whether this is because the author's skill improved in the four years between the two books or because cats are easier to anthropomorphize than wooden toys, is a matter for debate. ( )