Short interesting story that will appeal to children as who doesn't love a talking and winking cat!
Lots of little lessons in there to do with being kind to others, and to also not forget those that have been kind to you.

This book was a quick read - rewritten from an original story from long ago. There are many themes explored within the text including kindness, magic, greed, and trickery. I think children will enjoy the tale - it is a short story that can be shared with an adult. It was not exactly my cup of tea but I read it nonetheless.

Thank you Netgalley and Ferndell for access to this arc.

The story is short, as most fairy tales are, and features two staples - an old, widowed woman (who lives on the edge of a dark wood so also points for that trope) who has a cat. The widow has known love and has endured loss but she's always been kind. The trouble starts when those to whom she's been kind forget her and that kindness. What will her cat do to fix that? Well, that's the clever part as Tommie (whom the woman calls Thomas in serious moments), has a plan which will only rely on the person themselves to decide if what he offers is worth payment for. I will say that all's well that ends well and the woman, and Tommie, need not ever worry about hunger again. B

Princess Fuzzypants here: This story was written in 1908 and yet it still has charm today. A good old woman who has selflessly helped so many is starving. Her cat, who surprises her when he talks, goes to the village to see what he can do to help her. He sits in the middle of the village and challenges the townspeople to ask him a question to which he will give an honest answer. If they like the answer, they will pay him. Soon he has a pile of silver and gold at his paws but some of the townspeople are jealous and avaricious.

They plan to do him ill but a Royal entourage arrives and are amazed and happy with what the cat tells them. They carry him safely back to the old woman and discover that they have something in common with her and promise she will never suffer for anything again.

The messages in the book are as relevant today as they were over a hundred years ago. It is a quick read and a good addition to a young readers library. Four purrs and two paws up.

I still appreciate children's books as an adult, and I couldn't resist the beautiful cover.

This was a very brief read, but very charming. It was everything I would expect from a fairy tale, with some good moral messages too. A very enjoyable little story, particularly for cat lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Mother Holly has had a history of making cakes and giving each child a cake. She was so giving that people would just help themselves to things she had in the house. Her two sons were in the military so when a war started. Her two sons died in that ware so no money was sent to her which she depended on to buy the needed foods and necessities. When winter came she finds herself with little to lived on. Tommie her cat comes home with a basket of food for her. She tells Tommie that she hopes he hasn’t stolen it. Then Tommie leaves and goes to the village where he is accused of being a witch’s cat. Tommie says he isn’t. Why did Tommie go to the village? What will happen to Mother Holly?

The author has written an updated and abridged version of the original book.it is a delightful and charming book that is lovely to read regardless of your age. There are questions at the end of the book that can be asked and start a discussion on the cat’s morals and even can then go to humanity’s morals. I enjoyed the story employing magic through out the book.

An all-ages fairy story featuring a cat that at least pretends to be a village soothsayer to fund a new life for his owner and her imminent grandson. It's not great, but it's not bad – front cover art excepted. It's just, as a storyteller myself, I would imagine my audience being a little underwhelmed by the piece here, making me wonder why this century-old-and-change story has been singled out for such a publication.

The Cat That Winked is a whimsical old fairytale that initially expresses a sad truth about the good we do for others, but morphs into something magical and hopeful. It seems we all need a talking, winking cat in our lives and then things will be okay.

I’m glad this hidden gem has been given new life. Cynical souls may struggle with the “happily ever after”, as I did, but I’m trying to embrace the fun!

*Note to self: Teach your cat to talk. He already meows a lot so you’re halfway there.

I am immensely grateful to Ferndelle Press and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

*thank you to NetGalley for giving me access*
Well, this was a cute little story! I love fairy tales and this one did not disappoint. It was only a three star for me, since it was pretty short and there was not much to review

This cat does more than wink, he can talk, too.
Ferndale Press and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published and you can read it now.

He sits outside and answers questions for money he can give to his mistress. It's not all safe though.

Will his poor mistress get the money?

I really enjoyed this charming fairy tale that I was not previously aware of. The main character is a talking cat called Tommie who is quite a unique character with a real sense of mischief. A lovely way to remind people of the need for kindness towards to others.

The Cat That Winked is an enchanting and timeless classic that I absolutely adored. The story is whimsical and full of mischief, with a talking cat that has "flexible morals." But beyond the whimsy, the book also provides a deeper meditation on kindness in its many forms, making it a truly heartwarming tale. Anna McClure Sholl's engaging storytelling and signature wit make this book a joy to read, and the updated and abridged version is perfect for modern readers of all ages. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fairy tales and stories that transport you to another world.

A cheeky fairy tale about being kind.

Too long for a picture book bedtime read, but for a little older than a toddler or even for older still, this short story is like the best Grimm/Perrault, with a talking animal taking on the task of raising money for a poor starving old woman who has been forgotten and neglected by her community.

With tricks that aren't QUITE tricks, Tommie is a mischievous but also kind-hearted animal that might be pretty much conning people out of money, but is doing it to help another. And actually, as the 'Study Questions' at the back ask the reader: if people are giving of their own free will, are they really being tricked?

Written later than Grimm's, this is in a similar vein and has been abridged/adapted to make it suitable for young readers today.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

I loved this book! What a divine short story republished after such a long time. We all love cats that talk right?We get a wise and cheeky cat cleverly showing us life lessons in the most wonderful ways. His owner a sweet old lady needs him more than she knows. He knows how to make sure she is okay. It’s written in such a lovely way and I smiled many times reading it. It showcases how books can be timeless.

Is it a fairy tale? I think it’s more a cats tale, or is it tail? Whatever your age this is a delightful read and the questions at the end are great too. These would’ve excellent to ask children these questions after they’ve enjoyed the story as they’ll be taught some great life lessons. I read this super fast being a story rather than a long book and it made this cat loving book lady smile.

This was a really enjoyable little story. I loved tommie the cat. The little lessons regarding kindness and the shared sorrows can be enjoyed by any age reader. Funny and sweet. Pleasure to read.

This clever little fairytale, published in "The Faery Tales of Weir" in 1908, has been repackaged on its own with slight updates for the modern reader. I would have thoroughly enjoyed this as a kid, and I enjoy it still now—for the elements of "Puss in Boots", but also just for the number of standard fairy tale elements. We have here talking cats and princesses and old ladies in forest cottages and rhymes and a general suspension of disbelief. (Oh, and morals of the story—discussed to some extent at the end of the story but also partly left up to readers to decide.) This cat is decidedly salty—but also devoted to Mother Holly, which I guarantee is something that would spark debate among cat lovers...or dog lovers.

It looks like this is the first in what might become a set of republished fairy tales, and I do like the idea of it getting a renewed audience. The study questions at the end probably won't be useful for the full age range suggested for the book, but I can see this as part of a middle-school language arts unit on fairy tales. Fernandez has broken the story into five chapters, and if I were teaching this in a class I'd definitely assign students to write chapter 6—a continuation of the fairy tale? Or what happens when the fairy tale is over?

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.