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Original poster

Gobbolino the witch's cat - recommend as bedtime story for 4-6 year olds

30 replies

popsycal · 29/03/2007 19:44

DS1 is 4 and a half and is loving this story by Ursula Moray Williams. The chapters are short, it is beautifully written (love her other books for older children too) and the story is magical and enchanting.
I remember it being read to me in infant school!

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Original poster
popsycal · 31/03/2007 15:53

my sister has all the storyteller tapes!

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Pesha · 31/03/2007 13:38

Anyone remember the story teller magazines and tapes? Thats where i know Gobbolino from, will have to get them out the loft for dc, Thanks for reminder

macneil · 31/03/2007 02:07

Oh, just noticed - the sequel is Gobbolino AND the Little Wooden Horse? What kind of grim misery do they get up to together?

macneil · 31/03/2007 02:06

I loved these as a kid, but thinking back on them, they were just chapter after chapter of woe. Those poor bloody animals (that horse too, eventually going around with like one eye, one wheel, no paint, and a big scabby leg) never had any luck. I know my daughter might one day like them, but there's no way I'd want to read them to her.

I've just been buying Little Grey Rabbit books for mine on amazon Marketplace - 5 years early, maybe, and I know they're much twee-er than Ursula MW, but I've just found out they don't make them any more, and I loved them so much and am afraid they'll be selling for Ant & Bee crazy prices in 5 years.

mamama · 31/03/2007 01:41

I love gobbolino

maximummummy · 31/03/2007 01:39

i have gobbolino on vinyl unfortunatly i've no record player !!! didn't even know it WAS a book but loved listening to kids records with me mum when a LO

talcyone · 30/03/2007 19:53

Sorry, mop in hickory house.....not gobilino!

talcyone · 30/03/2007 19:53

oooohh, i remember!!
There was also a talking mop in the kitchen.....
Ordered gobilino from local bookstore today..

indignatio · 30/03/2007 17:11

I remember gobbilino - thanks for the reminder - will look in the library over the easter hols

HonorMatopoeia · 30/03/2007 17:04

Sassy this is the reason we are friends!!!!!!! (as in I'm the same, not that I remember what you went to Boots for!! )

Original poster
popsycal · 30/03/2007 16:55

programme was called hickory house

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Original poster
popsycal · 30/03/2007 16:54

humphrey cushion!!!

have vivid memories of that!

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talcyone · 30/03/2007 14:43

Humphreycushion, are you thatstrange cushion thing on the back of a chair in that kid's tv programme in the 70's? Iykwim
If so, what was that programme called?

If not,
nice name!

Saturn74 · 30/03/2007 08:20

One of my fave books as a child.
My DCs loved it too.

talcyone · 30/03/2007 07:59

Thanks popsycat
gonna run and buy it
had forgotten it's existence
loved that book

Anyone remember Lizzie Dripping?

sassy · 30/03/2007 07:55

Late one night in a witch's cabin
Two little kittens rolled onto the floor
One named Sootica was black all over
The other, Gobbolino, had just one white paw

(Der der der der der der de-de-de-dum)

Who'll give a home to a kitten?
Who'll give a home to a cat?
Gobbolino you may call me,
All I want is a fire and a mat.

(Why can I remember all this stuff when I can never remember the 3 things I went into Boots to buy?)

Pruni · 30/03/2007 07:41

Message withdrawn

Original poster
popsycal · 30/03/2007 07:33

it was the song that started me remembering it. My mum found an old tape with me singing the song
still know all the words lol

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singersgirl · 29/03/2007 22:21

Ooh, we've just read this to DS2 (5). DS1 wouldn't have any of it, as it's too twee, but it is right up DS2's street. It is terribly sad at times though, and we had tears at various points. Gobbolino is wonderfully good-natured and polite: "Oh, whatever is to become of me? Still, that is what comes of being born a witch's cat."

We're now reading "Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse" which is also fantastically twee and old-fashioned.

Greenleeves · 29/03/2007 20:30

Yes, "Little Gobbolino, with one white paw"

HonorMatopoeia · 29/03/2007 20:25

Wasn't there a song that went with this? I seem to remember 'Gobbolino you will call him, he wants just a fire and a mat'. Think we sang it in the school choir

Tatties · 29/03/2007 20:23

Oooh I remember listening to it on a story tape too. I can still remember the music!

dingdongjustforyoufg · 29/03/2007 20:23

Alison Utterly rings a bell...something about a rabbit? or am I imagining that?

FrannyandZooey · 29/03/2007 20:20

I have this and wondered about it for ds (nearly 4) but it all seemed far too sad for him atm

Maybe for a slightly older child as you suggest?

Swizzler · 29/03/2007 20:16

Ooh, Ioved this book - it was the first one I chose for myself!