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Ginger #1
Ginger
Ginger is a very contented cat. He lives with a little girl who takes perfect care of him.
But one day she brings home a surprise for Ginger that turns his world upside down!
"A perfect picture book ... everything about it is right."
- The Sunday Telegraph
"As perfect a book for the very young as I can bring to mind."
- The Times
But one day she brings home a surprise for Ginger that turns his world upside down!
"A perfect picture book ... everything about it is right."
- The Sunday Telegraph
"As perfect a book for the very young as I can bring to mind."
- The Times
40 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 1997
6 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Voake
109 books20 followers"I don’t know that I’m a funny person," says author-illustrator Charlotte Voake. "But it seems when I begin to draw that the characters change, and they take on this amusing and amused look." Indeed, her illustrations are widely loved for this very quality of gentle wit, not to mention their quiet observation, airy exuberance, and utter charm.
Born and raised in Wales, Charlotte Voake says that book illustration is "the only thing I ever wanted to do," and she certainly has made a brilliant career of it. Skipping formal training in art, she studied art history at London University and worked at an art gallery before embarking on a freelance career in illustration. Among her most acclaimed picture books is GINGER, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book that KIRKUS REVIEWS called a "flawless tale of two cats . . . to be read and reread." GINGER FINDS A HOME, a prequel to that award-winning picture book, shows how the loving ministrations of a little girl transformed the title character from stray to pampered pet. "We had a cat who lived at the bottom of our garden," Charlotte Voake says of her inspiration for this story. "It was a great moment when he decided to come and live with us."
Charlotte Voake was personally selected by the nephew of the esteemed children's book writer Eleanor Farjeon to illustrate the delightful classic, ELSIE PIDDOCK SKIPS IN HER SLEEP. More recently, Charlotte Voake wrote and illustrated PIZZA KITTENS, a dinnertime comedy of errors that she says stems from personal experience. "Good manners are not acquired overnight," she sighs. "The secret is to keep trying!"
Charlotte Voake lives in Surrey, England, with her husband and two children.
Born and raised in Wales, Charlotte Voake says that book illustration is "the only thing I ever wanted to do," and she certainly has made a brilliant career of it. Skipping formal training in art, she studied art history at London University and worked at an art gallery before embarking on a freelance career in illustration. Among her most acclaimed picture books is GINGER, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book that KIRKUS REVIEWS called a "flawless tale of two cats . . . to be read and reread." GINGER FINDS A HOME, a prequel to that award-winning picture book, shows how the loving ministrations of a little girl transformed the title character from stray to pampered pet. "We had a cat who lived at the bottom of our garden," Charlotte Voake says of her inspiration for this story. "It was a great moment when he decided to come and live with us."
Charlotte Voake was personally selected by the nephew of the esteemed children's book writer Eleanor Farjeon to illustrate the delightful classic, ELSIE PIDDOCK SKIPS IN HER SLEEP. More recently, Charlotte Voake wrote and illustrated PIZZA KITTENS, a dinnertime comedy of errors that she says stems from personal experience. "Good manners are not acquired overnight," she sighs. "The secret is to keep trying!"
Charlotte Voake lives in Surrey, England, with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 19, 2010
Thanks to Goodreads friend Kathryn for alerting me to this book, and to Goodreads friends Barbara and Jackie for their comments about it. Because of the positive clamor, I read this almost immediately rather than letting it get lost in the sea of books that is my to-read shelf.
I started smiling as soon as I started reading this delightful book. Voake knows cats very well and she perfectly captures their poses, expressions, behaviors, and feelings. I just loved the illustrations of the cat & the kitten, and the little girl too.
The simple story about Ginger the cat and the new rambunctious kitten in the household is wonderful, and the end is hilarious, and oh so realistic.
This book is likely to be on my shopping list for young children (jealous or not) when I buy baby gifts for soon to be or newly born younger brothers or sisters. (I always also get gifts, usually books, for any child already in the household.)
I started smiling as soon as I started reading this delightful book. Voake knows cats very well and she perfectly captures their poses, expressions, behaviors, and feelings. I just loved the illustrations of the cat & the kitten, and the little girl too.
The simple story about Ginger the cat and the new rambunctious kitten in the household is wonderful, and the end is hilarious, and oh so realistic.
This book is likely to be on my shopping list for young children (jealous or not) when I buy baby gifts for soon to be or newly born younger brothers or sisters. (I always also get gifts, usually books, for any child already in the household.)
January 13, 2023
Charming; Charlotte Voake, who also illustrated the book superbly, obviously knows her cats as she captures every possible nuance of them as she relates the tale of Ginger whose household is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a new, and cute, little kitten.
Ginger has a gentle life, sleeping in her basket and eating lovely meals provided by the little girl who owns (if one ever owns a cat) and then it is all thrown into chaos with the arrival of a vibrant little kitten whose playful behaviour disrupts everything.
So much so that eventually Ginger has had enough and sneaks out through the cat flap and disappears. The kitten carries on his playfulness but does realise that something is missing. As eventually does the little girl and she goes out to look for Ginger and finds her hidden in the bushes.
She takes her back in, feeds her in a dish on her own and gives the kitten his own little dish. The kitten also finds an old box to sleep in so Ginger is undisturbed in her basket that is until she decides she, too, likes the box, small though it is and both of them squash into it and become good friends.
Everybody is happy, particularly Ginger and the kitten who still chases Gnger's tail when he feels a little mischievous.
Ironically, two of my daughter's three cats died recently and she has replaced them with a mother and her very young son, eight weeks old when he moved in. And this scenario is exactly what is going on at Deborah's house. Little Nell, the Mum, is relieved when Larwood, her son does feel in a playful mood, although, rather like Ginger she does join in on occasions ... as does Debz' other cat, the older Margie (Allingham) who at first was in Ginger's camp with the playfulness. But Debz tells me she has now discovered her second childhood!
Ginger has a gentle life, sleeping in her basket and eating lovely meals provided by the little girl who owns (if one ever owns a cat) and then it is all thrown into chaos with the arrival of a vibrant little kitten whose playful behaviour disrupts everything.
So much so that eventually Ginger has had enough and sneaks out through the cat flap and disappears. The kitten carries on his playfulness but does realise that something is missing. As eventually does the little girl and she goes out to look for Ginger and finds her hidden in the bushes.
She takes her back in, feeds her in a dish on her own and gives the kitten his own little dish. The kitten also finds an old box to sleep in so Ginger is undisturbed in her basket that is until she decides she, too, likes the box, small though it is and both of them squash into it and become good friends.
Everybody is happy, particularly Ginger and the kitten who still chases Gnger's tail when he feels a little mischievous.
Ironically, two of my daughter's three cats died recently and she has replaced them with a mother and her very young son, eight weeks old when he moved in. And this scenario is exactly what is going on at Deborah's house. Little Nell, the Mum, is relieved when Larwood, her son does feel in a playful mood, although, rather like Ginger she does join in on occasions ... as does Debz' other cat, the older Margie (Allingham) who at first was in Ginger's camp with the playfulness. But Debz tells me she has now discovered her second childhood!
March 26, 2020
Cat-lovers will adore this winsome picture-book about Ginger, a happily settled older cat who loves his comfortable life. A little girl who feeds him delicious meals, a lovely basket in which to curl up and nap - what more could he want? But then one day the little girl brings home a rambunctious gray kitten who insists on pouncing on him, eating his food, and (worst of all!) trying to join him in his basket. Ginger decides that enough is enough, and runs away. Then the little girl coaxes him home, providing separate food bowls, and separate beds. But will it work..?
Ginger is the first of Charlotte Voake's three picture-books to feature this feline hero - the subsequent two titles being Ginger Finds a Home and Ginger and the Mystery Visitor - and really delivers the goods! As already mentioned by some of the friends who recommended it to me (thanks Jackie, Kathryn, and Lisa!), anyone who has lived with cats will recognize the feline mannerisms and expressions here, from lazy contentment to outraged dignity. The conclusion of the tale is simply perfect! With such an engaging story, and such adorable illustrations (done in pen and watercolor), this is a picture-book that cat lovers young and old will enjoy!
Ginger is the first of Charlotte Voake's three picture-books to feature this feline hero - the subsequent two titles being Ginger Finds a Home and Ginger and the Mystery Visitor - and really delivers the goods! As already mentioned by some of the friends who recommended it to me (thanks Jackie, Kathryn, and Lisa!), anyone who has lived with cats will recognize the feline mannerisms and expressions here, from lazy contentment to outraged dignity. The conclusion of the tale is simply perfect! With such an engaging story, and such adorable illustrations (done in pen and watercolor), this is a picture-book that cat lovers young and old will enjoy!
January 15, 2010
A cute, humorous tale with absolutely charming cat illustrations (Voake really knows her cats!) about Ginger, a pampered only-cat who wakes one day to find that he is no longer the only cat in his little girl's heart. The new kitten is SO annoying eating Ginger's food, sleeping in Ginger's bed...! Okay, actually, Kitty is extremely cute but poor Ginger is really jealous. But, there's a happy ending and this would make a great story not only for cat lovers but for only-children who find they must make room for a new brother or sister.
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August 26, 2024
This was one of my favorite books as a kid and one that I would read to my own cats. I lost one of my cats this past week, my sweet baby Juliet, and reading this brought back wonderful memories. It's one any and all cat owners need.
January 20, 2023
yeah i mean, that's cats
September 27, 2007
Charlotte Voake must have cats, because she has perfectly captured cat feelings and expressions here in this funny charming story. Ginger is very put out when his owner brings in a kitten to disturb his happy home. The kitten plays with Ginger's tail, eats his food, and tried to climb in his basket. He's a very naughty kitten!
That's when Ginger decides he has had it - it is time to go. His owner, a young girl, finds him in the garden in the rain. To appease him, she gives the kitten its own box, a box that is irresistible to Ginger, too.
If you have cats, you will love Ginger.
That's when Ginger decides he has had it - it is time to go. His owner, a young girl, finds him in the garden in the rain. To appease him, she gives the kitten its own box, a box that is irresistible to Ginger, too.
If you have cats, you will love Ginger.
January 16, 2017
I really liked the illustrations in this. There's one particularly good illustration that shows two cats in a small cardboard box. I laughed when I saw that.
September 26, 2018
When the child you're reading this to literally snuggles up to the illustrations, you know they are a win.
Sweet story, humorous and very accurate. Clearly Voake knows and loves cats. So do we!
Sweet story, humorous and very accurate. Clearly Voake knows and loves cats. So do we!
April 19, 2014
القصة بسيطة جداً، محورها الهر "جينجر" الذي غضب من قدوم هرة صغيرة تتبعه وتحاكيه في كل شيء، كما أنها تأكل طعامه وتنام في مكانه.
قرر جينجر ترك البيت لأن صاحبته الفتاة أهملته وتركته مع الهرة الصغيرة. كيف عاد الهر جينجر إلى البيت وكيف أصبحت العلاقة بينه وبين الهرة سؤالين محوريين أجابت عنه الكاتبة ببساطة تعكس واقع العديد من القطط.
أحببت البساطة في الرسم، فلا يوجد أي خلفيات في الصفحة، فقط الشخصية المعنية ، كما أن الخط كبير جداً يسهل للأطفال قراءته.
قرر جينجر ترك البيت لأن صاحبته الفتاة أهملته وتركته مع الهرة الصغيرة. كيف عاد الهر جينجر إلى البيت وكيف أصبحت العلاقة بينه وبين الهرة سؤالين محوريين أجابت عنه الكاتبة ببساطة تعكس واقع العديد من القطط.
أحببت البساطة في الرسم، فلا يوجد أي خلفيات في الصفحة، فقط الشخصية المعنية ، كما أن الخط كبير جداً يسهل للأطفال قراءته.
July 1, 2008
Simple, simple, simple book. If you have more than one cat you will totally laugh at the end. Maybe you will laugh even if you don't have cats.
I think this sort of thing happens in every cat household. I see the gears moving in their brains, plotting it all out. I won't tell you what "it" is...that would spoil the fun.
I think this sort of thing happens in every cat household. I see the gears moving in their brains, plotting it all out. I won't tell you what "it" is...that would spoil the fun.
March 23, 2021
I read the board book. It seems unabridged. I love the nifty way the HEA came about. See Maru Mugumogu on youtube if you doubt. This book could be used for Intergenerational Friendship (allegory).
November 17, 2022
Way too cute! Ugh, my heart T^T
October 10, 2019
This was such a good book to read to children. It enabled them to understand about sharing and that it is good to share with each other. The children where able to engage with the book and pick out who Ginger was and who the Kitten was.
Children can see the different emotions that the little girl feels, this helps children to understand their emotions and develop an understanding as to why they may feel one way. This also helps them to understand that it is OK to feel happy, sad / upset and lonely and also to make friends in different ways.
I personally enjoyed this book and would highly recommend reading it.
Children can see the different emotions that the little girl feels, this helps children to understand their emotions and develop an understanding as to why they may feel one way. This also helps them to understand that it is OK to feel happy, sad / upset and lonely and also to make friends in different ways.
I personally enjoyed this book and would highly recommend reading it.
June 3, 2020
How come is it that in fiction it's always the orangey cats who are the most persnickety? Morris from Nine Lives, Heathcliff, Garfield, and now Ginger, a finicky feline who doesn't seem to like the new kitten sleeping in his bed. (Yeah, I know, Ginger is a boy cat, but what can you do?) Ginger tries running away from home, away from the well meaning kitten, and now he's in the garden stuck in a rainstorm. Can Ginger open his heart to the strange new kitten or will he become one angry wet pussy....ahem, pussycat? A sweet cat story for kids.
Four stars
Ginger is one cute cookie🙂!
Four stars
Ginger is one cute cookie🙂!
September 26, 2017
I thought this was a very sweet and nice book. I would read this out loud in a classroom because I think it's important to show kids that you can be friends with people different than you. It also shows that sometimes people are doing things just trying to play and be friends and they don't necessarily have bad intentions.
March 5, 2019
This book is adorable. My 4 year old couldn’t stop laughing over Ginger and the naughty kitten. She really knows cats! I grew up with cats and I thought of my girls when I was growing up-one looked like Ginger so that helped me love it even more. It’s a great easy read book that is enjoyable with beautiful illustrations
September 21, 2021
I'm 18 now and remember this book so well from when I was a kid I still have it and would honestly still read it. As a cat lover, this book is amazing and very cute. the story is told very well especially to teach young children about sharing. The illustrations are adorable too. I would definitely reccomend it.
September 9, 2021
Plagarism of Paddiwak and Cozy copyright 1988 by Berlie Doherty.......see for yourself easiest is to read the goodreads quick description they are almost identical.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
June 16, 2025
Fantastic! Great read, illustrations capture the expressions of a cat so well. I remember this story well into adult hood.
It maybe a little biased as a current ginger cat owner but they are the best 😼
It maybe a little biased as a current ginger cat owner but they are the best 😼
January 5, 2018
Very cute
December 25, 2019
I took advantage of my library shift today to browse the picture book section and this was one of the treasures I found. Am a sucker for cute animal stories.
October 28, 2020
A beloved classic, and all too familiar for cat lovers everywhere.
December 5, 2020
A lovely story about the difficulties of making new friends and having new people introduced into a space with the background of two cats and their loving owner.
June 17, 2021
Fun for those familiar with cats, but I think it could also be good for children who have new younger siblings.
December 20, 2021
A lovely story about a cat and a new kitten.
February 5, 2022
I like this book a lot. There is an underlying message about being nice to the people around you and being grateful for what you have in life. The illustrations are simple yet detailed.
September 17, 2022
Ginger lives a happy and contented life until one day small kitten arrives, turning Ginger's world upside down.
Really beautiful illustrations and a humourous story.
Really beautiful illustrations and a humourous story.
November 23, 2022
My kid loves this book so much it's torn in different places because it has been read SO many times. Simple illustration style and a heartwarming plot at the middle of it.
March 14, 2023
Making new friends isn’t always instant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews