Goodbye Mog [Hardcover]

Judith Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Mog was tired. She was dead tired...Mog thought, 'I want to sleep for ever.' And so she did. But a little bit of her stayed awake to see what would happen next. Mog keeps watch over the upset Thomas family, who miss her terribly, and she wonders how they will ever manage without her. Nothing happens for some time...then suddenly, one day, Mog sees a little kitten in the house. The kitten is frightened of everything -- noise, newspapers, bags and being picked up. Mog thinks the kitten is very stupid. But then Mog realises that the nervous kitten doesn't know how to play and just needs 'a little bit of help'. And so, Mog pushes the surprised kitten into Debbie's lap, where it finds it actually likes being tickled and stroked. The new family pet is settled in at last. But Debbie says she will always remember Mog. 'So I should hope,' thinks Mog. And she flies up and up and up right into the sun.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-This book takes an interesting and unusual approach to a longtime favorite character. Although Mog dies on the first page ("Mog was tired. She was dead tired.- Mog thought, `I want to sleep for ever.' And so she did"), the cat stays around for the duration of the story in the form of a spirit, thinking that the family won't be able to get along without her. The family members are sad at first, but their attention is soon taken up with a new kitten that is afraid of everything. With the help of Mog, it learns to play like a proper cat, and to love its family and be loved in return. Satisfied that her former family is now in good cat paws, Mog's spirit flies up to the sky. Like so many other classic children's book characters, this feline seems frozen in time, cared for by children who never get any older and in a house that always appears the same, providing readers the comfort that accompanies familiarity. But young listeners who know Mog may feel as bereft as her fictional family, and the uninitiated may be taken aback by the abrupt death. The floating spirit in each of the color cartoon illustrations may elicit questions that require some thoughtful adult answers. Although this is an interesting exploration of loss, endings, and new beginnings, for Mog's loyal fans, saying good-bye to her is like killing off Clifford, the big red dog.
Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Kerr seemingly caps her best–selling series of books about an affable family pet with this simultaneously sad and soothing story.” -- Publishers Weekly

“Kerr’s appealing story entirely avoids the maudlin with its fine balance of humor and sentiment.” -- Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (UK) (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007149689
• ISBN-13: 978-0007149681
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,376,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Death is Part of Life, August 1, 2003

By 

Lamh Déanta "Lamh Déanta" (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goodbye Mog (Hardcover)

Mog dies in story, and dying is part of living!

This a not too sad story about dying with a happy conclusion. Our 3 year old finds the story very sad and is most tearful that Mog "has gone to cat heaven", and has "gone all white". But the story is a great way of introducing a very vital life lesson.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle way to discuss loss with your child, December 15, 2003

By 

Mom to future Primatologist "ettasmom" (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goodbye Mog (Hardcover)

Every child will experience loss eventually, be it the loss of a beloved pet or the loss of a relative. This book will help a child cope with the subject of death. We received this book as a gift, and what a gift it is. I read it to my daughters and they are enchanted and inspired by the sweet story of Mog mentoring the new kitten and helping it learn to love his family. No one my daughters know has died, but you never know when tragedy will strike. When someone in our family, or one of our pets, passes, they will know a little something about this very natural process and part of life. We cannot protect our children from loss, so let us prepare them with this loving story.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made me want to cry, but a heartwarming ending, November 5, 2007

By 

Kai K. "Kai K." (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Goodbye Mog (Paperback)

I'll tell the truth. Just reading other peoples' reviews and plot summaries of Goodbye Mog brought tears to my eyes. I knew before receiving the book that I was going to have a good cry. On the first page is a picture of Mog's cat basket, with her name on it, but with no Mog sitting in it. Tears immediately streamed out of my eyes. However, I was eased by the fact that Mog seemed happy to coach the Thomas' new kitten along, and when their new kitten warms up to the family at the end, it is a tearful heartwarming story. I am crying as I write this review, and for good reason.