Customer Reviews

Carbonel

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4 star:		(2)
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Rosemary and John search and retrieve items necessary to set Carbonel free from the spell holding him as a witch's cat. It concludes with Carbonel's battle to regain his kingdom. Set in England, the adventure includes references to English life in the 1950's may be a bit confusing to a young American reader but well worth several trips to the dictionary. Appropriate for 6th grade level, it's the first of 3 books written by Barbara Sleigh involving Carbonel and the easiest to obtain. If you like the Harry Potter books, consider this one seriously.

My mom gave me this book when I was 8 years old. Hesitantly, I started reading it, and was immediately hooked. It is the first chapter book I remember reading, and I owe my love of literature to Barbara Sleigh and Carbonel. Before the advent of the Internet, I spent many years trying to track down copies of all the Carbonel books, with limited success. Then one day, I discovered that they had had been reissued in the United Kingdom. I was in law school at the time, and my wife told me we couldn't afford them. Imagine my surprise, that Christmas, when I found them under the tree! My wife had called a bookstore in London, and had them shipped to the US just in time for the holidays. I'm now 39 years old, and still reread those books about once a year. I have read them to both my children, and they have read them by themselves. I think we can all look back on our lives, and find one or two events that shape aspects of our future. For me, a British book about a little girl, a witch and a magical, royal cat set me on a road where books became some of my most cherished possessions, and reading my most enjoyable pasttime. Read the books; feel the magic.

I read this book as a grade school kid long ago, and was profoundly affected. The idea of cats having an entire culture that we humans were unaware of was mind-blowing. I never again looked at a cat walking down the street or lying by the fire without wondering what thoughts were running through his head, and wishing I could talk to him. I think I remember that Carbonel was a housepet and learned from a stranger in the night that the old king had died and he was now king and would have to learn his role and duties. It was fascinating, and I checked it out of the library many times. I'd love to read it again...

This book captured my imagination as a child and was a pleasure to read again after 17 years. I feared I might ruin a childhood memory by tracking it down and reading it again but it was well worth the effort. I hope it's magic will still reach young readers even though it is now out of print.

When I first read this book, I was 10-years-old. I grew up and never forgot the joy that I received from its pages. I kept looking for it when I got older and now have my own copies of all the Carbonel books. I am now in possession of an amazing child's book that deserves to be shared throughout centuries to come. Wonderful book - deserving to be named a favorite classic.

One of the books many of my students have read as a child and remembered fondly, it is a great example of how inspiring literature lingers on the brain. All too often, I find myself dismayed that modern books for children promote violence and unnecessary sadness, despair and evil of the type we take for granted on the tv and in daily life, but need some respite for in our books.I'm not saying that all books with violence in them are unworthy. Some, indeed, are great - the "Tomorrow series" is mentionable in this category. But lest we forget, our children also need inspiration and gentle humour, relaxing, loving and inspiring times, not just terror and seat-of-your-pants 'what will happen next?' time. Think of it as like the parent-child relationship - we all need our cuddles and relaxing weekends, as well as our stimulating games and discussions. "Carbonel" fits neatly into that - it is about wondering 'what if?' and looking deeply at the life of cats, to find out what happens next. It reminds me of another favourite of mine , "RJ's Farm", which also gently lets the imagination loose. Carbonel is a Prince cat, who has become enslaved to a witch. When the witch retires, she sells Carbonel to a young girl at a market. The girl also gets the witch's broom. Empowered with the somewhat shaky (it's falling apart) magic of the broom, the girl realises Carbonel's identity and sets out to help him escape the spell the witch has put him under. Highly recommended - good fun for all ages. (If you like this, you will also like: "RJ's Farm" by Kim Galvin, and "Martin's Mice" by Dick King-Smith.)

Carbonel took me away when I was a child,I loved every well written detail,and could imagine every event as it took place-the only problem was,when I got older (alot older!!)I had forgotten the title and despaired of ever finding the book again-Imagine my joy when I found a used copy in a thrift store-it looked familiar,could it be....? Hooray!It was!Carbonel!I bought it immediately and read it asap and will never ever let it out of my hands again!This is a fabulous book for children of all ages,and if my opinion counts for anything,I would advise to get a copy of your own right now!Truly a wonderful,wonderful book.

...It was my FAVOURITE when I was a kid - ...Why is this fantastic book out of print??

This book is about a cat who is under a spell and he can't go back to his kingdom because of this. Rosemary and John are determined to break this spell no matter what it takes. I am 10 years old and I would definately recomend this book beacuse it brought me right into it. Elizabeth Lamb

Carbonel is a wonderful story that will stay with your child throughout her life. I read this book as girl and now, many, many years later, I have just read it to my 6 year old daughter. She was spell bound with the tale of the magical royal cat, laughed at the antics of the broom and was riveted in the search for the necessary magic to restore Carbonel to his kingdom. Even though the book is set in an era quite foreign to a 6 year old in the year 2000, children will still enjoy this classic tale (or shold I say, tail!)