Reviews

The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof by Annie M.G. Schmidt

boekenmenno's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Het is een grappig boek dat snel leest.

ellent's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

laubou's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

katykelly's review against another edition

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5.0

What a lovely fantastical story. After a chapter, I was enchanted. I've read some Pushkin translated (children's) books before and been impressed.

This title in English is 'The Cat who came in from the Roof'. Tibble, a journalist, is obsessed with cats and is about to lose his job unless he finds something news-worthy to report on. As luck would have it, he runs into a strange young woman stuck up a tree, scared of a dog. Minou claims to be a cat, turned inexplicably into a human. A very catlike, purring human.

Yet she has contacts all round the town, a network of cats that might just be able to rustle up the news stories Tibble needs to keep his job. We meet cats who have their ear to the floor in Council chambers, the church, the school (he's my favourite).

Minou's cat-like behaviour gets her in trouble repeatedly. Yet her information also allows Tibble to uncover all kinds of secrets, and it was a delightful read watching the cats of the town truly those with the knowledge of what is really going on.

There's a mystery included in the story. There's deception and cat teamwork. It's a lovely modern fairy story that actually could be set in a contemporary small town or a Victorian world. It feels timeless. The writing is lovely, the translation good (though "That takes the cake!" made me giggle).

This could make a delightful children's film. It's a little too difficult for a newly emergent reader but 8-11 year olds will enjoy by themselves, or with a grown up.

ladywright's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

the_jesus_fandom's review against another edition

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3.0

Sweet little story, I had thoughts but I waited too long to review the book so I forgot lol

showell's review

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4.0

Very cute children’s story. Would be a fun read aloud for the older elementary school set. Think 101 Dalmatians or Mr. Popper’s Penguins but with cats.

tabea17's review against another edition

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hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Cute story, but a bit boring, have to note though that it’s great for beginner Dutch learners! 

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this book, but there are some scenes that might be upsetting to the intended age group.

honnitan's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0