When is a Cat Not a Cat?

Jeanne's Christmas book picks

Christmas books. . . there are so many! Some of my favorites are children’s books, so I’ll try to stick just to those and limit it to three.

"Cat on the Doverfell" is a Norwegian folktale and is often included in anthologies of Scandinavian folktales. I first heard it as a child when my mother read it to me, and then had to read it over and over again. There was a scary component in the dreadful trolls who terrorized the Doverfell every Christmas Eve, but relief and humor in the way they got their comeuppance at the hands—or paws—of the big white bear. Even better is the little twist at the end that gives the story its name and this column its title.

I was delighted as an adult to find that one of my favorite illustrators, Tomie de Paola, had done a picture book version, though the title is Cat on the Dovrefell, should you look it up. The text varies just a little from what I remembered but de Paola’s warm and beautiful illustrations make up for that.

Morris’s Disappearing Bag is by Rosemary Wells, another author/illustrator whose work I adore. She’s best known for her “Max and Ruby” books. Morris’ older brother and sisters are having a wonderful time playing with each other’s presents on Christmas but no one wants to play with Morris’ present, a teddy bear. Then Morris finds a gift everybody else has overlooked. . . . This is a delightful tale, especially for the youngest sibling.


Merry Christmas, Thomas! by A. Vesey is a story to which I could relate, and not just because the characters are cats. Thomas is very excited about Christmas and watches all these mysterious packages arrive. He’s hoping for a bicycle. Then Thomas finds a lot of presents hidden in a closet. . . maybe if he just takes one tiny peek. . . There are so many good things about this book, but one feature that I especially liked was that in Thomas’ family, Santa only brings small gifts for the stockings. Thomas’ parents are the ones responsible for large presents and Thomas was responsible to them for his actions.

Cat on the Dovrefell illustrated by Tomie de Paola J 398.21 KJE Main

Morris’s Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells E WEL Main & Avoca

Merry Christmas, Thomas! by E. Vesey E VES Main