3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tabby in the Tub, May 28, 2005
This review is from: Tabby in the Tub (Animal Ark Series #29) (Paperback)
It was a cute book with vivid descriptions. I have a lot of reservations, however, as a parent of young children that LOVE kitties. The entire third chapter was a very graphic description of childbirth for a cat including complications for the momma kitty. All's well that ends well, but I had to censor the material after previewing it and skip entire sections to make it suitable for my kindergartner. I told another mother of a 2nd grader the same thing as she was encouraging her daughter to read it due to the adorable cover design and "Animal Ark" icon. The other chapters were very cute and had great telling of how the kids helped out with the kittens. There was one other section where the phrase "spurting blood" prevented me from reading the content of another chapter and again, I had to paraphrase the material of that chapter for suitability.
I'm not sure what the intended audience is for this book. The main character is 12. So perhaps over-10 yrs could better handle the material. The book was a gift from a friend intended as a read-aloud chapter book, but even though it started out innocent enough, I would've liked a parental warning on the back cover or something about the subject matter.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
cute book for the cat lover, January 28, 2004
This review is from: Tabby in the Tub (Animal Ark Series #29) (Paperback)
This is the first Animal Ark book I read, and its so cute! My sister received it as a Christmas gift, and I read it too. It's about a tabby cat that the main character Mandy finds. The cat is pregnant. She isn't the only pregnant cat in the neighborhood though. This book shows real perserverance and is a perfect read for anybody who loves animals.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
'Tabby in the Tub' will leave you purring, August 16, 2007
This review is from: Tabby in the Tub (Animal Ark Series #29) (Paperback)
Spring has sprung in the tiny town of Welford, and with it comes the arrival of blooming flowers, school vacations, and kittens! Twelve-year-old Mandy Hope, and her best friend, James Hunter, are counting down the days until school vacation is upon them. But, even more than that, they're eagerly anticipating the arrival of Welford's mailman, Bill Ward's, kittens. Bill Ward is the owner of a pretty white Persian named Delilah, whose kittens are scheduled to arrive any day now. While Mandy, the daughter of veterinarian parents, has seen many baby animals born over the years, she still can't help being excited for Delilah. However, when Mandy and James spot a stray tabby lurking around the bushes by Bill's house on their way to school one day, Mandy finds herself preoccupied with thoughts of helping the cat. What's even worse, is that the stray - whom Mandy has named Blossom - is skin and bones, aside from one very important fact...she's pregnant! Mandy and her father, Dr. Adam, do what they can to capture Blossom, and give her the care that she needs. But Blossom isn't having any of it. In fact, she's simply terrified, and wants nothing more than to be left alone. Luckily, Bill has given the little tabby free run of his shed, and is allowing her to make a nesting box in an empty tub that he has been keeping handy for a flower garden. As the group feeds Blossom, and works to provide her with the nutrients she needs for herself, and her unborn kittens, she begins to grow more and more accustomed to their presence, and isn't as frightened anymore. But with two cats due at approximately the same time, Mandy and James find themselves with their hands full. But both Blossom and Delilah seem to have things under control. Both cats are wonderful mothers, who know exactly how to handle their offspring; and require little to no help from Mandy, James, or the Ward's. But when Delilah slips out of the Ward's house one afternoon, and finds herself injured by a reckless driver, things turn bad. Suddenly, Delilah's kittens are at risk of losing their lives unless someone steps in to nurse them for the next four weeks, when they will be old enough to be weaned. The kittens will need multiple feedings throughout the day and night, and there's no one available to take on such a task. That is, until Mandy and James announce that, with vacation right around the corner, they'll be able to take on the responsibility until they can find someone else to assist the Ward's with the kittens. But bottle feeding four very curious and active kitties proves to be more difficult than either could have ever imagined. The kittens rarely want to eat from the bottles, and both Mandy and James keep finding themselves covered in milk. But even worse is the fact that the kittens keep disappearing from the Ward's home, and reappearing in the shed, amongst Blossom's own litter of kittens. Mandy and James can't seem to figure out how the tiny kittens are making it all the way to the shed, and only when they prepare to spy a bit on the tottering kittens do they realize what's truly going on; and just how easy it is going to make their new job.
As a cat lover, and the proud parent of a tabby cat myself, I absolutely couldn't resist the beautiful illustration - by Mary Ann Lasher - that graced the cover of TABBY IN THE TUB; and, upon reading the synopsis, it was obvious that the cover made way for another wonderful tale by Ben M. Baglio. I was not wrong. TABBY IN THE TUB is an ideal addition to the ANIMAL ARK series, especially if you're a cat lover - like myself. Mandy and James are their usual caring selves, making themselves available to assist their neighbors at the drop of a hat, and determined to keep a little of kittens from an untimely death. Their persistence, and hard work is admirable, and sets a wonderful example for readers, especially those who want to work with animals in the future. The introduction of Bill Ward, and his wife was very enjoyable. Bill is such a jovial character, whose kind nature makes him easily likable. The fact that he allows Blossom to stay within his gardening shed, and spring for meals for both her, and his own cat, Delilah, illustrates what kind hearts he and his wife have, and just make them two people that you would love to know in real life. Once again, Blackie is rarely seen within TABBY IN THE TUB. However, his rambunctious nature is replaced by that of Delilah. Delilah is a curious kitty who manages to always find herself in trouble. Her penchant for escaping from the Ward's home unnoticed is humorous, however, it also keeps you on edge, as you worry about her great escapes, and whether or not she'll remain safe. Blossom is another wonderful feline character. Less curious than Delilah, and more interested in raising her brood, Blossom is a beautiful character who adds quite a bit of mothering to the storyline. And you can't forget the kittens. Each one is so adorable, that it's impossible not to want to give them all a lovable squeeze. As always, Baglio's effort is impossible to put down; and leaves you craving the next ANIMAL ARK installment. TABBY IN THE TUB will leave you purring.
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
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