Member Reviews
This was a really cute story about a very naughty kitten. He learns how to be good from a magical Christmas tree after a little boy wishes for help.
The Cat in the Christmas Tree is a very quick read. I think it would be enjoyed by chikdren younger than eight years of age. The writing is simple yet effective.
The theme of the tree being magical in nature was creative, as was the story line of the tree revealing important lessons to be learnt in a similar vein to A Christmas Carol..
The large tree being described as Forest, and the cat as Shadow were good. I am unclear why "Mast" was the name of the famiky tree - had it been Mas I would have assumed the latter part of "Christmas" .....perhaps it is plus the "t" from tree.....
The book overall is a pleasant read.
This is written for children, and as such some of the dialogue isn't quite realistic but more of a cleaned up version like you often see in children's books. The plot holds together reasonably well and the magical transition was very good.
There were some good messages about learning to respect the property of others and not bullying, however, I have an issue with a few other messages that come across.
First of all, the father is in total charge of the family and the mother doesn't argue when he threatens to get rid of the cat. This gives a bad impression of relationship dynamics as well as of a father's role. To me, he's totally evil and his wife should divorce him and keep the cat so her son will be happy!
My other issue is with calling the cat bad for jumping into the tree. Really? You bring a real tree into a home with a cat and expect him not to jump into it immediately? The author is a cat lover and owner so he should know better than that! Also, when the cat is destroying things he shouldn't or biting, why aren't the parents making any effort whatsoever to teach him parameters? Cats do learn, and not by whining at them that they shouldn't do that as if they understood every word. (Secretly I do believe they understand every word but that's another matter.)
All things considered, the story has some brilliant elements from a Christmas magic point of view, but I would not buy it for a child because of these unacceptable messages about fathers and cat discipline.
This was a cute (very) short story about a naughty cat who learns how to behave via jumping into a Christmas tree. It reminded me of A Christmas Carol. The Christmas tree gives the cat lessons like Ebenezer Scrooge.
The writing style was a little bit weird for me, but overall it was a very cute Christmas Eve story. Definitely one to read to a child and they would love it!
A mischievous cat and it's abused Christmas tree bring your into a wonderful behind-the-scenes world for some important "do-unto-others" type lessons.
This books started great. I loved the introduction of the characters, the family member dynamics and their interplay. Night falls and the restless cat remains up to no good. The tree is about to show him some things he doesn't expect. In the morning the family sees the cat has had a change of heart about some of his old shenanigans.
I love this premise of this book. I appreciate the moral lessons it's teaching, but I think the ending doesn't match the beginning. The beginning is fleshed out well, the ending, which is the most important part, seems rushed. I do enjoy some of the descriptions of the world of trees, some are cute, some are funny. Overall this was a quick read and a nice story.
This is an adorable book about a rowdy kitten and a magical Christmas Tree. This is a great way to teach small children about treating others with kindness. I recommend this to teacher and parents of smaller children
I received a copy of this book for NetGalley in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
This is a short and sweet children's chapter book about a cat named Shadow who keeps getting into trouble. Shadow can't seem to resist the Christmas tree and often trashes out other parts of the house as well. Shadow is considered to be Nathan's cat and Nathan is often the one who's told that they are going to have to return the cat to the shelter so that he can be re-homed.
I thought the book was written well with only a few typos. My kids seemed to enjoy it, but I didn't appreciate the dad in the story who continuously threatens Nathan, the child, by telling him the cat is going back to the shelter if it doesn't shape up. I mean, I really don't see how a child can control a cat who wants to play. That's just how some cats are, especially when young, and Nathan was really worried about losing Shadow. So we didn't like that part of the story, but luckily Nathan's mom was a little more forgiving. The story turned out to have a very magical ending. We also enjoyed reading about the author and his cats afterward.
After we finished reading the book, my daughter went off to write her own little story about a cat who was causing trouble in a king's castle. She was very inspired by this story. Give this one a try!
4****
I's like to thank NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
This is a cute book for young children who are learning by example. The cat is used as a proxy for a cheeky kid who needs to learn to behave.
A young black cat plays with the family Christmas tree, breaking some ornaments. This is a cat household and we did not put up trees while the cats were young. So the parents need to assume some responsibility here I think. Overnight, while under threat of being sent away from his boy, the cat is taken for a snowy stroll by a magical Christmas tree, much like Scrooge and the ghostly experiences.
This is a good-hearted tale and we should all learn to respect trees... and others. The author lives in Canada and the book would work for most countries.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley and read it in a few minutes. This is an unbiased review.
This chapter books shares the story of a mischievous black kitten named Shadow. Shadow keeps getting in trouble with Nathan's parents Justen and Sara. They threaten to send him back to the SPCA after Christmas. Fortunately the magical tree intervenes. The story itself was okay, but I was disappointed in the illustrations. Chapter books don't contain as many illustrations nor the illustration quality of picture books, but this one's would not please children at all. They all look pretty much like public domain .gif files. I love cats -- and I love cats in Christmas trees, but this book simply fails to capture the magic. I received an electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.
This is a story of a cute kitten named Shadow who discovers his family’s tree at Christmas. I think everyone has experienced the frustration of having a naughty and curious kitten at Christmas, I know I have.
Shadow is about to be adopted out if his behavior doesn’t improve as the family has had enough! I enjoyed reading about his mischief and thought the story was going well until something unexpected happens and the story takes a magical turn. This part of the story was just not my cup of tea and unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it. It might be more fun to a younger reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher BooksGoSocial for this e-copy. My opinions are my own.
This will be on my blog Sunday November 25th, 2018.
www.colecampfireblog.com
Scottsdale's book about a naughty young cat named Shadow starts off very cute as he describes Shadow's fascination with the family Christmas. This fascination, unfortunately, includes jumping on the tree, which sends it crashing to the ground. This was the last straw for the family (mainly the father) but eight-year-old Nathan pleads to not send Shadow back to the SPCA. It is Christmas Eve and his mother agrees that the cat needs to go after the holidays unless he can learn how to behave. It would take a Christmas miracle to calm the hyper kitten.
This is where the story goes from cute to What? to A Christmas Carol-esque lecture. In short, change your ways or go back to the SPCA. This lecture is told through a series of watched vignettes that include being disobedient and bullying.
It really felt as though the second half of the book was written by a different author. Nathan's behavior and vocabulary (thought process) is more of a four-year-old than an eight-year-old, and frankly, the father just comes across as a young man who doesn't place fatherhood as a priority.
I loved the first half of the book and would give that five stars, but the second half and its attempt to teach two stars. Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this ARC.
A magical Christmas story about a cat and a Christmas tree! My kids enjoyed this story and got a few laughs as well at the naughty kitty. Great story!
This was a lovely children’s story which my children loved. It kept them hooked as it was about a cat which is their favourite animal & Christmas which is always magical!
I loved the meaning behind the story, helping children understand bullying & to tell adults in a child friendly way.
Sorry but the writing style is too awkward for adults to enjoy and that's before the magical Christmas tree part kicks in.
I am all about cats, so I had to read this story, too! I could relate to cats and Christmas trees. Mine really love to play hide 'n' seek in mine during the season. I learned over the years NOT to but dangerous ornaments on the trees or even most lights (my oldest cat bit one in anger once and, of course, had me going nuts for days over whether he had swallowed any of the glass! He was under a vets care.) Cats are crazy little beasts and sweet as all get out and I love them as a pet parent. So reading this story brings back lots of terrific memories. I am betting children 7 and up who love cats and the holidays, will love this book. Good read!
Because this was a e-book, I was ill-prepared for how short (yet touching) this story was; wanted it to continue, loved the journey. Thank you for sharing.
I loved this book!! Shadow sounds just like my cat when he was young, but I never threatened to take him to the animal shelter, that's where I got him from.. Cats and Christmas are so much fun! Thank you BooksGoSocial via NetGalley for the copy of this book. This is my honest opinion. Really cute book.
It's very cute story about why being mean and doing things we shouldn't is bad.
It's short enough that you could read it as a story at library story time or bed time .
Nicely done
The Cat in the Christmas Tree by Peter Scottsdale
A nice little story, easy to read, for kids around 8 - 10 years old.
A cat, Christmas décorations... what could go wrong!
Really well written and entertaining!
Thank you BooksGoSocial for the ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I read this book with my daughter who is 10, she thoroughly enjoyed this story, although may have been slightly on the young side for her.
This is a nice story about a naughty cat and a Christmas tree, just as the title states. The story is a magical adventure taken by the cat thanks to the tree.
Would highly recommend for key Stage 1 children ages 5-8. Small words so perfect for a child to read out loud.