Oscar, Cat-About-Town (Paperback)

by James Herriot (Author), Ruth Brown (Illustrator) "I looked at the stray cat which a kind little girl had brought to my examining room..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Oscar is a good-natured stray cat, left by a little girl with the Herriots to be nursed back to health. the country veterinarian and his wife take him into their home, and soon he has become part of their family. But before too long, Oscar starts setting off on his own--running away, only to turn up in the funniest places.

Oscar, Cat-About-Town, the newest children's story by James Herriot, is sure to become another classic; illustrated with the rich, colorful artwork of Ruth Brown, it will win the hearts of readers young and old.


About the Author
Alf Wight ("James Herriot") was born on 3 October 1916 in Sunderland, near Newcastle. However the family moved to Yoker, a suburb of Glasgow, when Alf was three weeks old. He attended Glasgow Veterinary School. He moved to Thirsk, North Yorkshire, in 1940, to work for Donald Sinclair ("Siegfried Farnon") at his practice at 23 Kirkgate. He married Joan Danbury ("Helen Alderson") on 5 November 1941 at St Mary Magdalene church in Thirsk. They had two children, Jim (born 1943) and Rosie (born 1947): Jim is a vet who used to work in the Sinclair/Wight practice and Rosie is a General Practitioner (family doctor). Alf died on 23 February 1995 of prostate cancer at his house, "Mirebeck", in the village of Thirlby near the town of Thirsk that became famous in his books as "Darrowby".

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312091303
• ISBN-13: 978-0312091309
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,255,693 in Books (See Bestsellers 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 A wonderful Cat book by a wonderful writer, February 9, 2002

By	Snowygirl "Snowbaby" (Rocky Mountain Wilderness with wild aninals in our back yard) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oscar, Cat-About-Town (Hardcover)

I think I have not had a more pleasant reading experience than sitting down next to a burning fire place, listening to my favorite antique clock ticking.. the patter of rain on the window panes and reading James Herriott. It is a memory of that afternoon that all these years later I have never forgotten. James Herriott is the most pleasant, relaxing, refreshing writer. Forget all the worries and cares and escape for a few minutes into a quiet world where the animals speak their own language.. A wonderful book, a wonderful writer. Thank You James Herriott for the memories.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cat lovers, take note!, September 21, 2000

By	Laurie (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Warm, homey illustrations that almost seem to glow are paired nicely with the sweet storyline. As always, James Herriott knows his animals, and can capture their essence on paper. I have known cats like Oscar, who is most definitely a "people" cat--he loves to be in the thick of things!--and reading Oscar's story was like a touch of nostalgia. If your little one loves animals, do get them this book. I have a hunch they'll like it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oscar, Cat-About-Town, December 14, 2000

By	"red_skittr" (wyoming) - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think that anyone who reads this will feel more comfortable in nowing that many people may love them and that it is okay to have more than one "family." Many love you just the same and they can care for you in their own special way. I think Oscar is unique and even though this is just a book I respect the characters.