I have the good fortune this week of having the opportunity to raid the bookshelves of my former charges from my nannying days almost 15 years ago. Holy flying time! I’ve been coming across some old favorites (Oh, hello Eloise. Ooooh, I remember you, Ping! Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka, we meet again…) and some beautiful new finds.
First up: Orlando the Marmalade Cat: A Trip Abroad, by Kathleen Hale. This is a new book to me, but apparently it was originally published in 1939 and reprinted in 1998.
The London-born Orlando, along with his master, is on his way to a relaxing seaside vacation when he accidentally ends up on the wrong ship and heads for France. His detour is not all bad, as Orlando finds himself on a grand adventure anyhow.
He eventually finds his way back to England, but not before sampling escargot, taking in a jazz concert, and checking into a charming little Parisian hotel.
Apparently this is one in a series of Orlando books that have been reprinted in a gorgeous oversized hardcover, where our intrepid hero has also found himself on a farm, at the seaside, and on a camping holiday. The illustrations are vivid and subtly amusing- the cat’s expressions? Priceless.
Do you remember Orlando? I don’t know how I’d never seen any of these…
Original Orlando books are pretty rare. From what I understand, the author was very particular about how her art appeared in book form, so there was limited publication, or something like that. It’s been a while since I read the article, and I’m not sure where I found it, and I could be mixing it up. The prices on Amazon for old copies tend to be very high! I haven’t actually read any Orlando books, but I’ve drooled over the illustrations online many times! 🙂
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Oooh, I’ll bet! Even the reprinted ones like this copy are over $30! One of my favorite things when I had my used bookshop was coming across rare and first edition children’s books. Or any rare or first editions, really. 🙂
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The Orlando books seem slightly familiar, but I can’t say I really remember them. I got curious and looked up Kathleen Hale–she lived to be 101 years old!
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Wow, that’s so interesting Marcia! Thanks!
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I’ve never seen the Orlando books but they seem very cute. Love the hotel du chat d’or.
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I know, that’s one of my favorite parts!
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Cats seem to always get into the most delightful mischief!
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Don’t they? Silly cats, they’re just not as responsible as dogs, are they?
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I guess that’s probably true, but sometimes I like to imagine getting into some of that mischief myself. 🙂
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Orlando seems familiar. I may have read it to my daughter. Looks like a great book — our granddaughter loves cat stories.
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This looks so charming! I looked in my library and discovered one Orlando title available in our stacks — about a camping trip. Can’t wait to check it out. Thank you!
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Score! That one looks great!
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we got some from the library awhile back!! SO SO GOOD!!!!! didn’t read this first one, sadly. such cool art! I loved the ones we read!!!! love that you posted about these!
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Thanks, Melissa! I can’t wait to find more of them!
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