Henry the Sailor Cat: 02/08/10

Harriet loves cats. Whenever I'm at the library or I'm buying books for her, I'm looking for books about cats. Among my recent library finds was Henry the Sailor Cat by Mary Calhoun. It's the sixth book in a series of picture books featuring an adventurous Siamese cat.

Henry stows away on the sailboat while the Man is teaching the Boy how to sail. Henry is discovered too late to return to shore and is allowed to stay above deck as long as he doesn't get in the way. The cat spends the day learning along side the Boy. Later they will both need to put their new skills to the ultimate test.

I have known cats to love water and cats certainly have been on ships. I can't say I've ever known a water loving Siamese but that's besides the point. Henry's actions on the ship are plausible, albeit a bit extraordinary at times, and the pages are sumptuously illustrated.

Books in the series:

• Cross-Country Cat 1979
  
• Audubon Cat, 1981
  
• Hot-Air Henry 1981
  
• High-Wire Henry 1991
  
• Henry the Sailor Cat 1994
  
• Henry the Christmas Cat 2002

Comments (4)

Comment #1: Monday, February, 8, 2010 at 17:33:08

Nicola

Mary Calhoun is still writing books! I remember reading her in the 70s.

Comment #2: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10:32:37

Pussreboots

She was still writing as of 2002. I don't know if she has anything published more recently.

Comment #3: Tuesday, February, 9, 2010 at 08:01:28

Jeane

Have you guys read the other Henry books? When I was a kid I loved the one about him skiing after being left in a mountain cabin, and my daughter likes the one where he flies in a hot-air balloon. (I can't recall the titles right now)

Comment #4: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10:36:08

Pussreboots

I think you're thinking of Hot-Air Henry. I haven't read any of the other Henry books, just Henry the Sailor Cat. I got it at the library and so far I haven't seen any others from the series.