The Nine Lives of Aristotle

A little white kitten named Aristotle is adopted by the witch Bella Donna in this adorable work of animal fiction, using up eight of his nine lives in his many exciting adventures. Full of mischief and fun, our feline hero explores everything: falling down chimneys, getting stuck in milk jugs, barely escaping getting flattened by trains, drowning in streams, and being savaged by dogs. Throughout it all, Bella Donna is there to rescue him and pick him back up again, eventually deciding (or does she?) that she must take a more active role in keeping her cat out of trouble...

Published in 2003, The Nine Lives of Aristotle appears to be the only collaboration of English author Dick King-Smith, the prolific creator of numerous work of animal show more fiction for children, and Australian illustrator Bob Graham, whose many picture books never fail to charm. Although it does not have chapters per se, it is of chapter-book length, and I have cataloged it that way. It is a book I tracked down because of my interest in witchy tales, but although Bella Donna was the draw for me, and although I enjoyed her depiction in both text and image, I found Aristotle even more delightful, and much like his witch, took him to heart. I think this entire book is wonderful, and highly recommend it to beginning chapter-book readers who enjoy animal stories and/or witchy tales. show less

Delightful story of a kitten who gets into so many scrapes his owner isn't sure whether he'll make it as a witch's cat. Lovely illustrations by Bob Graham. With several chapters, it's a great book to move onto from shorter stories.

Short and simple linear narrative, with a few clever bits-of-business and some juicy vocabulary words. Not the best of of DKS or Graham.