Continuing my tradition of appreciated unappreciated classics, this story on The Bookseller about the 40th anniversary and re-release of Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr prompted me to reminisce happily about how much I adored this picture book when I was a kid. Perhaps this is where my love of silly looking cats began.
Mog is a kitteh with a memory problem – she forgets how to get inside the house, forgets she’s washing herself, forgets that she’s eaten and generally forgets where she is half the time. So far, so BookieMonster Kitteh. But the events of one night turn Mog into a hero…
This is such a cute and cool book, and perfect for reading to kids. The expressions on Mog’s face in many of the pictures are just hilarious, and still make me giggle. My parents have our original copy and I annoy Mr Monster every time we visit with my “Did you know this was one of my favourite books as a kid?” chatter and need to re-read it.
40th Anniversary? Lordy.
Bother that cat!
Oh, lovely forgetful hapless Mog! We have a bunch of Mog books on high rotate at our house, but this is the original and my fave. Best picture is the one near the end, with the hangdog burglar (oops, spoiler!) sharing a shame-faced midnight cup of tea with the policeman and the whole family in their pajamas. He’s still wearing his mask, and all.
For sheer surreal awesomeness, Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea is still #1, though. It cannot be topped as a depiction of One Of Those Days. (What, you thought it was about a real tiger?? So did I, until I had children). I can narrate it by heart, and covet everything in it, especially the blue rug, the brown teapot, Sophie’s mother’s worsted wool stockings, and the tiger.
I loved the look on Mog’s face when she forgets she’s washing herself – it’s exactly the same look that BookieMonster Kitteh gets when she does the same thing. That sort of (for want of a much nicer word) gormless expression.
I am pretty sure I was read The Tiger Who Came to Tea but I don’t think we owned it, as I don’t remember it very well.
The great thing about having children (well, ONE of the great things) is that you can seek out all your own fave childhood books and enjoy them all over again with your child/ren. I bought “The Tiger Who Came To Tea” for just that purpose, and my toddler adores it. It also makes a great birthday gift for her little friends – often their mothers have never heard of this title and are pleased to have a change from yet another Hairy Maclary (no disrespect to Hairy intended).
Like Jolisa, I am word perfect on this book, and highly familiar with the illustrations, which are drawn in loving detail. The house’s simple post-WWII furnishings fascinate me – so modest compared to today’s largesse. I also want Sophie’s mummy’s tangerine coat and her knee-high brown boots!
I’ve already bought the first Mog book, and am looking forward to sharing it with my daughter, but she’s still a little young for it yet, as it’s rather wordier than the Tiger book.
Not to mention, how do you explain midnight breaking and entering to a toddler? I had the same difficulty with the first Mog book. True, the burglar is relatively tame and if anything a bit of a tragic character (heroically undone by a cat! oops, there I go again, more spoilers) but still an alarming proposition for a really young person.
I do love the way the family’s sympathies swing. Dad not much of a cat person, Mum tolerant up to the point where her hat (and dinner) get ruined, and Nicky and Debbie completely on the cat’s side.
Also love: Mog and the Baby, Mog and Bunny, and Mog on Fox Night. I have never been able to bring myself to read Goodbye, Mog…tearing up just thinking about it!
And yes to that tangerine coat! Sophie’s mummy is swingin’ hot. No wonder the milkman and the grocer’s boy — and Daddy of course — look so pleased to see her!
Mog is such a favourite of mine! Our daughter loves her as much as I do and ‘The tiger who came to tea’ is one of her absolute favourites – Anna even took it to kindy a couple of years ago and read it to the assembled throng!! A few years ago I was in my pre-parent job in the library world and my friend and fellow children’s book selector said in a very offhand way…….’oh look, there’s a Mog book, she dies’…..!!!!!!!!!! It was ‘Goodbye Mog’. Truly, I began crying right there on the spot in front of some very bewildered colleagues! Just the thought of Mog dead was too much for my soft old heart. Tragic! The expressions on Mog’s face are just so true to life, lovely lovely books. Thanks bookiemonster……….
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read “Goodbye Mog”!
I loved the Mog books!!! Thank you for reminding me!
You’re welcome!