I like the circular nature of the tale, as Gobbolino begins his journey with the river and ends at the river. Born to a witch's cat, Gobbolino wants nothing more than to find a home amongst the warmth and bustle of a kitchen. The world Gobbolino ventured into was not ready to accept him as who he was; in that world, he could either be a witch's cat, or a kitchen cat, not something in between. It never occurs to him to strike out on his own, rather than letting circumstances just carry him along.

The witch puts a spell on him, removing his magical powers, and he finds his way back to the farm where he began his journey, his coat having faded to an unrecognisable tabby.Travelling between such establishments as an orphanage, a Punch and Judy show, a princess's castle - will the black cat ever find somewhere he can settle and make his home? Reissued for its seventy-fifth anniversary with illustrations by the award-winning Catherine Rayner, this classic tale has been loved by generations of children. First published in 1942, Gobbolino the Witch's Cat continues to delight children - a true modern classic.

A story book I'll share as it think it's a wonderful story to be read aloud on a dark stormy bedtime! Along the way, his magic and kindness brought happiness to many, yet his own happiness never really lasted. I listened to the audiobook of this, and though I enjoyed this as a 'listen', I didn't like the voice of Gobbolino much, though it didn't come along too often.Sadly have little excuse to re-read with no grandchildren on the horizon yet but hey, who needed an excuse ? Gobbolino tries to adjust to his life in the cave but fails to complete a single task set by his mistress. The story revolves around Gobbolino’s adventures, but Gobbolino is no ordinary cat, he is a witch’s cat! Orange boards with black and white illustration by Catherine Rayner to both boards, the title page and throughout the text. Finally accepting his magic, Gobbolino becomes the pedlar-woman's assistant, but his good heart and unwillingness to cause pain mean he fails at every task he is set.