Barbara Sleigh (1906-1982) worked for the BBC Children's Hour and is the author of Carbonel and two sequels: The Kingdom of Carbonel and Carbonel and Calidor. »

Carbonel

The King of the Cats

By Barbara Sleigh
Illustrations by V. H. Drummond

Back in print in the U.S. for the first time in over 30 years.

Rosemary's plan to clean houses during her summer break and surprise her mother with the money hits a snag when an old lady at the market talks her into buying a second-rate broom and a cat she can't even afford to keep. But appearances can be deceiving. Some old ladies are witches, some brooms can fly, and some ordinary-looking cats are Princes of the Royal Blood. Rosemary's cat ("You may call me Carbonel. That is my name.") soon enlists her help in an adventure to free him from a hideous spell and return him to his rightful throne. But along the way Rosemary and her friend John must do some clever sleuthing, work a little magic of their own, and—not least—put up with the demands of a very haughty cat.

Reviews

Magic and everyday life blend smoothly in this highly enjoyable fantasy, perfect for reading aloud.
— Terri Schmitz, Horn Book

Also see:

An Episode Of Sparrows By Rumer Godden Neighborhood children—"the sparrows"—have been in search of "good, garden earth." The Garden Committee thinks they have taken it from the private garden in the public square. Have they? An investigation leads to, among other things, a hidden garden.

The Kingdom of Carbonel By Barbara Sleigh Illustrations by Richard Kennedy It's good cats versus bad in a thrilling battle for the future of the enchanted land of Cat Country. "The children are lively, the grown-ups (including the witch) colorful and the mingling of magic and reality is most effective." —The New York Times

Carbonel & Calidor By Barbara Sleigh Illustrations by Charles Front When Carbonel's son decides to give up his birthright and apprentice himself to a witch, Rosemary and John must use all the magic within their power to save him.

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