Carbonel: The King [Paperback]

Barbara Sleigh (Author), V. H. Drummond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1974

This is the story of a cat, a broomstick and an ordinary schoolgirl called Rosemary. She bought them both in the market, quite cheaply. Of course, neither the cat nor the broomstick were just what they seemed, and they turned up just when Rosemary badly needed something nice to happen to her. A good cat is apt to be independent, so she did not have things all her own way, and as Carbonel proved to be a Royal cat in a very special sense, that was understandable. Between the cat and the broomstick, Rosemary picked up some useful spells and magic, and the adventures they brought about turned a dull-looking holiday into one long to be remembered for its unexpected excitements and rewards.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Sleigh was born in 1906 in Warwickshire. She took an art teacher's training course, and later began to write stories for children for radio. She was a lecturer at Goldsmiths' Teacher Training College, then in 1933 joined the staff of BBC Children's Hour. Three yars later she married David Davis, who later became Head of Children's Hour. Her first children's book, Carbonel, which was to become the first of a trilogy, was published in 1955 and has remained a firm favourite with younger readers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

From a performer's point of view, the trouble with magic is that all sorts of things speak which usually have no voice. In this case, the majestic black cat, Carbonel, who is under an enchanted spell, shares center stage with Rosemary, a helpful girl longing for a cat of her own. Anna Massey is admirable as Rosemary and the other supporting characters, but she has trouble with Carbonel. The creaky, cranky voice she uses for Carbonel is distinctive but doesn't capture his heroic and resourceful qualities. Still, this is a story replete with magic and adventure which will provide enjoyable family listening. L.S. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 30, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140301550
• ISBN-13: 978-0140301557
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,918,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lifetime Favorite, February 25, 2001

By 

"zeeter" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carbonel, the King of the Cats (Hardcover)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of a lifetime love of reading, March 5, 2003

By 

Mark T. Doherty (Longmont, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carbonel, the King of the Cats (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I barely remember..., July 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Carbonel, the King of the Cats (Hardcover)

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...