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Carbonel: The King of the Cats (Nyrb Kids) Paperback – August 7, 2018

by Barbara Sleigh (Author), V.H. Drummond (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
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Now in paperback, a story about a girl and her magical talking pet cat, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland

Rosemary’s plan to clean houses during her summer break and surprise her mother with the money hits a snag when an old lady at the market talks her into buying a second-rate broom and a cat she can’t even afford to keep. But appearances can be deceiving. Some old ladies are witches, some brooms can fly, and some ordinary-looking cats are Princes of the Royal Blood. Rosemary’s cat (“You may call me Carbonel. That is my name” ) soon enlists her help in an adventure to free him from a hideous spell and return him to his rightful throne. But along the way Rosemary and her friend John must do some clever sleuthing, work a little magic of their own, and—not least—put up with the demands of a very haughty cat. Carbonel’s adventures continue in The Kingdom of Carbonel and Carbonel and Calidor.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    192 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    820L
  6. Dimensions
    5.2 x 0.5 x 7.61 inches
  7. Publisher
    NYRB Kids
  8. Publication date
    August 7, 2018
  9. ISBN-10
    168137305X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1681373058
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A truly bewitching story reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland.” —New York Journal American

“The Carbonel books are excellent stories, imbued with wonder and practicality in equal measure, dry humor, and a clear-eyed and sometimes sardonic love of cats. They have a healthy interest in food and a ruthless interest in the logical working-out of the implications of magic...These books have moved me to laughter and tears.” —Pamela Dean

“Magic and everyday life blend smoothly in this highly enjoyable fantasy, perfect for reading aloud.” —Terri Schmitz, The Horn Book

"A delightful fantasy of real literary merit. When Rosemary acquired a black cat and an old broom, she thought she had a pet and a means of earning money for widowed mother. But Carbonel was magic, and at his behest she set out to acquire a witch's hat, pot and spell to disenchant him. How she does this will enthrall children. A must for all libraries." —Library Journal

"A delightfully amusing story." —Parents Magazine

About the Author

Barbara Sleigh (1906–1982) worked for the BBC Children’s Hour and is the author of Carbonel and two sequels: The Kingdom of Carbonel and Carbonel and Calidor.

V. H. Drummond (1911–2000) was a British author and illustrator whose books included Phewtus the Squirrel and Mrs. Easter’s Parasol.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NYRB Kids; Reprint edition (August 7, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 168137305X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1681373058
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 820L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 0.5 x 7.61 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 81 ratings

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Barbara Sleigh

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
81 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my FAVORITE BOOKS since childhood.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
I was so happy to find this as it has been one of my favorites since childhood. This book is the first in a series of 3. The main characters are a young girl and her good friend (a boy) who live in England. They find a cat that can talk and he needs their help to undo a spell. It is a story full of fun, magic and mystery. I highly recommend it.
4 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A republished delight!
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2013
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I loved this book as a child but could not even remember the name of the book. I stumbled across it during an Amazon search and ordered it, hoping it was the book I so loved! It was! I re-read it and enjoyed its humor as adult. I have already read it to my grandchildren and they adore it. It is a chapter book with short chapters so it is perfect for bedtime or nap time. There is action, adventure, magic, whimsy and lots of chuckles. It also has that wry but non-condescending tone which is the hallmark of the great British children books. This belongs on the same shelf with books by C.S.Lewis and Edith Nesbit. Carbonel is quite the haughty feline; if you know cats, the book is even better!
3 people found this helpful
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Ida's Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasured Childhood Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2016
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This is a much loved book from my childhood. I also read it to my sons when they were young. (That well worn copy finally gave up the ghost....) I am delighted to find it on Amazon. It now has pride of place on my bookshelf. There are a whole series of Carbonel books available, which is good news, I also love the illustrations.
3 people found this helpful
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Gllimmerpond
5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite childhood book of all time! Carbonel.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014
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I initially read this book at age 10 in the elementary school library, and it was the first book I asked to own. Carbonel and Rosemary's three Queens colored my entire childhood. I believe the more recent author used the Carbonel, King of the Cats trilogy as the jumping off point for her Harry Potter books. I took the sequel to heart as well.
40 years later I discovered there is a 3rd book in this series. I have 2 copies of the trilogy, one to lend and one to keep safe.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Still sweet and charming after all these years
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
I remember my third grade teacher reading this to us back in the 1950's. I loved it then and have remembered it all this time. The story is rather dated in some ways but it's a gentle book featuring a strong and capable little girl and her little boy sidekick. And, of course, the proud and magical black cat, Carbonel.
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Kindle Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book when I was a child
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2019
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I have read this book over and over many times throughout the years bringing back fond memories of my childhood. It's an engaging little story of magic and suspense that will captivate readers of all ages.
2 people found this helpful
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Smile Treasurer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love characters, writing style and magic!
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is one of my favorite children’s stories. Delivery to covered area, where it was safe. Type of story & style of writing similar to other favorites: Edward Eagar’s Half Magic, and Mr. Humphrey’s Magicians by George Moore.
3 people found this helpful
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RKent
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have loved this book, and the sequels for many years and was pleased to have found it here. Good Price on the book and fun and engaging story
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Top reviews from other countries

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Donald N. Philip
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story
Reviewed in Canada on February 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
My father gave me this book when I was a child. I loved it and read it a number of times. I bought this copy for my grandchildren . It is a wonderful humane story about a girl, a cat and some magic. It’s worth noting that the BBC Dramatized this one twice on the radio. I recommended highly.
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V. Joyce
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
Sweetly old fashioned story of a talking cat and it’s adventures with two children. Lots of humour and the charm of a bygone, less frantic age.
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Fenice
5.0 out of 5 stars Der erste Band
Reviewed in Germany on November 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
Sorry, ich habe gerade meine Rezension beim zweiten Band eingegeben, dabei ist dies hier der Anfang der Geschichte.
Ein zauberhaftes Kinderbuch im England der 1950er/60er Jahre und dennoch völlig zeitlos. Wer Harry Potter mochte, mag auch die drei Bände von Carbonel. Es ist wundervoll, dass diese Bücher im neuen Jahrtausend neu aufgelegt wurden. Sehr schade, dass es sie nicht auch auf Deutsch gibt. Dieser erste Band ist in den 1960er Jahren unter dem Titel "Der verzauberte Kater" als Taschenbuch auf Deutsch erschienen, die anderen wurden wohl nicht ins Deutsche übersetzt, ich habe sie jedenfalls nie gefunden.
Band Zwei und Drei sind sehr gelungene, spannende und zauberhafte Fortsetzungen. Lohnenswert - und ihr lernt gutes und korrektes Englisch. ;)
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Bahadir
5.0 out of 5 stars New book. Timely delivery. Thanks
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
New book. Old classic! So happy with the delivery time as well.
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suej
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming vintage story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
If I had had a copy of this when I was a child it would have been one of my favourites. As an adult (I confess I bought it on the strength of the cover) I found it charming. It paints a picture of a post-WW2 world of austerity in which a young girl encounters a talking cat, makes new friends, and has magical adventures with them. As a period piece it's fascinating - as a story for a young child it's delightful. In fact, my young goddaughter is likely to receive a copy very soon.
2 people found this helpful
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