- Chapter Books
- Ages 6–9
- Fantasy
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat
A gentle classic about a witch's kitten who does not want to be wicked, reissued with Catherine Rayner's warm illustrations. It is a lovely bridge between picture books and chapter books for children who like cats, magic and finding a home.
- Best for6–9
- FormatChapter
- Length256 pp
- Read aloud~3 hr40 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Literary
- Conversational
Tone
- Warm
- Adventurous
- Heartwarming
- Whimsical
- Cosy
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Gobbolino is born to be a witch's cat, complete with magic tricks, sparky whiskers and a family who expect him to be properly wicked. But Gobbolino does not want to frighten people or help with spells. He wants to be an ordinary kitchen cat, loved by a family and curled up beside a warm hearth. His wish sends him on a wandering adventure as he tries different homes, meets different people and keeps discovering that belonging is not always simple. Ursula Moray Williams's classic has endured because its fantasy premise is really an emotional one: what if everyone expects you to be something you are not? This Catherine Rayner-illustrated edition gives the story extra warmth and gift appeal, making it especially attractive for modern readers. It is cosy, magical and reassuring, with just enough witchiness to feel exciting without becoming too scary.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 6–9
- Read aloud · 6–9
- Independent · 7–10
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Moderate
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Gift-buying
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: scary imagery.
Bedtime suitability
4 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
2 / 5 · Use judgement
Graphic intensity
3 / 5 · Some
Best for
- Cat lovers
- Gentle magic
- Classic read aloud
- Finding home
- Witchy but not scary
Avoid if
- Needs modern fast pacing
- Wants picture book length
- Prefers no witches or magic
Particularly good for children who are…
- Low self esteem
- Adoption or foster care
- Making friends
- Moving house
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A timeless read-aloud about a witch's cat longing to be an ordinary pet — a gentle class chapter book about belonging and being yourself.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific recognition is being expected to be wicked when you're not — Gobbolino born to a witch family but only wanting to be a kitchen cat, wandering from home to home looking for a hearth that fits. A six-year-old who's quietly different gets a friend in feline form.
- Animal companions
- Magic powers
- Family belonging
- Transformation
Why parents love it
The 1942 classic in Catherine Rayner's reissued illustrations — Gobbolino the kitten who refuses to be wicked, wandering for a place to belong. Cosy, magical, gently emotional. Strong bridge from picture books into chapter books; benefits from the Rayner edition's warmth.
- Nostalgia
- Beloved classic
- Beautiful illustrations
- Bedtime appropriate
About the creators
About the creators.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
- Bookshop.org ↗
- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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