From Library Journal
Grade 3-6-In this sequel to Gobbolino the Witch's Cat by Ursula Moray Williams (Chivers Audio Books, 1995), Gobbolino the kitchen cat receives a distress message from his sister Sootica, the witch's cat, and he hastens to the Hurricane Mountains to rescue her. Along the way, he befriends a wooden horse who accompanies him on this perilous mission. The journey to the Hurricane Mountains takes them through such dangers as a storm, a pack of hunting hounds, and a haunted church. When Gobbolino locates Sootica, he learns that she wishes to trade places with him in order to escape her owner. In Sootica's absence, the witch nearly dies of a broken heart, but Gobbolino and the wooden horse nurse her back to health. Sootica soon realizes that she is happier with the witch. When Sootica returns home, the witch and Sootica promise not to practice magic any longer. Gobbolino and the wooden horse happily return to their homes. There is an edge to this story that is different from the first. Sootica appears more manipulative and evil and less loving than in the previous story. Also, the magical world of princesses, witches, and dragons has been traded for a less fantastic one. The character of the wooden horse, who was not in the first story, is emphasized here. British actress June Whitfield does an adequate job of reading. The variety of voice characterizations includes a very tight sound for the bats, a nasal sound for the witch, and a Katharine Hepburn sound-alike for the priest. Not a must purchase, this audiobook is for young fantasy lovers and larger book-on-tape collections.
Stephanie Bange, Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Stephanie Bange, Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
