Customer Reviews

Tabby in the Tub (Animal Ark Series #29)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Tabby In The Tub
Author:Ben M. Baglio

At Animal Ark Mandy Hope helps animals in terrible trouble.Even outside the clinic.By the way, Mandy's parents are vets.

A lonely stray cat turns up in Welford and Mandy is worried.It turns out, that stray cat is pregnant!Then, Mr.Ward (mailman) comes to the rescue!He lets the poor cat live in his garden shed.Mr.Ward's cat , Delilah, is pregnant too!Some of the kittens need a lot of help.

Will Mandy & her parents be able to help the pregnant cats...... & their kittens?


Opinion/Theme

This story is very exciting.It talks about how much a girl, Mandy Hope, cares about people & animals.I think this is a must read story.

By:Rebecca

This book talks about cats that need help with what is happening. When I am reading it, I just kept reading it and can't even put it down. This book shows you many things that cats might need help in. When I am reading about it, I feel like just jumping inside the book and helping them because of how much they need help and how they are getting hurt and that one of the cats that are in the book is Tabby. My favorite part was when the mother of 4 cats was hurt and couldn't take care of her cats, then Tabby decided to help them even though they are not her kittens. When I am reading it, I just don't know what might happen next and that is what makes it exciting to read.

If you like animals you will love this book! The title of this book is Tabby in the Tub by Ben M. Baglio. The main characters are Mandy Hope, James hunter and Mandy's parents. One of the main problems was that a cat has birth problems. My favorite character is Mandy Hope because she is very helpful and nice.

Mandy Hope reminds me of my mom because she is also very helpful and nice. This is my text-to-self connection. I have not had any experiences that any of the characters have had.

I liked this book because it was very exciting and I never wanted to stop reading it. My favorite part of this book was when they found the owner of the abandoned cat and gave homes to the newborn kittens. The part I would change in this book was when a pregnant cat got hit by a car and had to be hospitalized. The type of person who would like this book would be someone who likes animals in grades three and up.

I cried a little while reading this book. The end is so touching, and the book makes you want to have a kitten.

A great book for the child who loves cats.

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

I really enjoyed this book as a "fun read". I think it could have been better but it is for younger readers so it's pretty good. I learned a lot about how to care for cats and kittens because as you read about Mandy caring for these kittens you also learn how to care for kittens. The vocabulary is for younger kids so if an eight year old were to read it, they to would have been able to learn what I did.

Summary-

Well this book all started at animal Ark where they had a cat that was in need of help Mandy hopes to help her parents treat animals all shapes and sizes. Mandy loves animals so she can't resist not to help any animals that are in need of help. Mandy and her parents helped the tabby cat before and after she has her kittens.

Character Description-
Mandy is just a nice and friendly little girl that loves animals. Dr. Emily is Mandys mom she works at Animal Ark and she loves animals to. James is mandys best friend he helps her out with the animals at Animal Ark.

Your Opinion-
My opinion was that I liked this book it was funny in some parts and sad in other parts. I had fun reading this book. I hope I read another book from Ben M. Baglio that is as good of a book as this book was.