Whittington

By: Alan Armstrong

Narrated by: Joel Brooks

The power of reading is beautifully captured in this 2006 Newbery Honor-winning book.

Bernie keeps a barn full of animals the rest of the world has no use for - two retired trotters, a rooster, some banty hens, and a Muscovy duck with clipped wings who calls herself The Lady. When the cat called Whittington shows up one day, it is to the Lady that he makes an appeal to secure a place in the barn. The Lady's a little hesitant at first, but when the cat claims to be a master ratter, that clinches it.

Bernie's orphaned grandkids, Abby and Ben, come to the barn every day to help feed the animals. Abby shares her worry that Ben can't really read yet and that he refuses to go to Special Ed. Whittington and the Lady decide that Abby should give Ben reading lessons in the barn.

It is a balm for Ben when, having toughed out the daily lesson, Whittington comes to tell, in tantalizing installments, the story handed down to him from his nameless forebearer, Dick Whittington’s cat - the legend of the lad born into poverty in rural England during the Black Death, who runs away to London to seek his fortune.

This is an unforgettable tale about how learning to read saves one little boy. It is about the healing, transcendent power of storytelling and how, if you have loved ones surrounding you and good stories to tell, to listen to, and to read, you have just about everything of value in this world.

©2005 Alan Armstrong (P)2006 Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"This superior novel interweaves animal fantasy and family story with a retelling of the English folktale Dick Whittington and His Cat. Teachers and librarians...take note: Whittington reads aloud beautifully, and the extended happy ending will leave everyone smiling in delight." (School Library Journal)

Odd story

This was a very unusual story. It constantly switched back and forth between time periods. Sometimes there just seemed to be random chapters inserted that were asides that had nothing to do with the story. Interesting, but overall disjointed as to the point of the story - was it about the cat, was it about Ben, was it about the boy, was it about the friendships between the animals…I don’t really know the answer.

The voices by the reader were…interesting. He was very consistent and easy to listen to, if just a little odd.

Whittington

Paw-some. I think it's one of those good that is very very very entertaining! D

classic story

Whittington is an encouraging, uplifting story with
a happy tail. I enjoyed it greatly.

Enjoyed it so much I listened twice!

It was like listening to a theater production! Whittington is a wonderful story and the narrator carried the suspense and helped make a long drive enjoyable.

Charming story

My son and I read this story together and loved it so much that we listened to the audiobook shortly after. The narrator is outstanding. Highly recommend this charming story!

I’m Luke

I love ‘tis. Book beck’s it in tressing
It’s Ben fun reading ‘tis ave rnighat

A really fun story to encourage reading.

A good story for anyone, but it is an especially good story for struggling readers. This story was very well read. I am giving my granddaughter the audible story with the physical book to help encourage her reading.

Wow.....

Small book but....a lot of adventurous story!!!!
I really needed to read until the ending!!!