Alone in the Night

By: Holly Webb

Narrated by: Phyllida Nash

Jasmine is thrilled when the neighbours ask her to cat-sit while they go away for Christmas. Now she’ll be able to spend her whole holiday with the beautiful Star. Star loves playing with Jasmine and soon the pair are inseparable. But what Jasmine doesn’t know is that Star has a secret. Although it is cold and dark outside, the time has come for Star to leave Jasmine and her warm, safe home and find a place to hide. But where should she go?

Another touching animal story from best-selling author Holly Webb.

©2009 Holly Webb (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Fun

It's really good I love it and it's good for kids 4+ 🤩 love it so much.

It is a very good book because it is fun.

Ilike this book talks really much about cats it is so cute. the most best book I have ever read before.

Reservations About This One

This is undoubtedly a cute story, and children who love cats will likely enjoy it, which is why I gave it three stars overall. It drags on quite a bit to my mind, but children may be so caught up with the kitty that this won't be a problem. So fine. What gives me pause, however, is that the cats in this book are not cats, but furry little humans.

I hate to have to say this, but if the fluffy little creature you have in your house meows sweetly to you and flutters over begging to be held every single time you say her name, or communicates in human-like gestures perfectly appropriate to every question you ask her, what you have is not a cat. Maybe it's an alien? Might be nice to have one like that around . . . as long as it doesn't eat my face off while I'm sleeping.

Sure, a lot of children are going to like this book. Hence the popularity of Holly Webb's titles. But to me, it encourages unrealistic expectations and will lead to unhealthy relationships with real animals, who are actually not furry humans.

I do understand this is a book for children. And for the short parables of toddler fiction this sort of thing may be alright, since it isn't meant to be taken literally. The animals in those books talk and cook breakfast. But this story is meant to be a realistic account of a young girl in a house with a cat, detailing interaction upon interaction. It isn't parabolic, but anecdotal. And anecdotes are how children learn. The whole cutesy, anthropomorphic presentation--to such a large degree--just strikes me as off, and unhealthy.

I think animals are quite special enough when you get to know them as they are. You don't need to turn them into walking toys. I don't want my son thinking of animals this way. We will not be buying any more of her books.

For what it's worth, the narration is fantastic. I will look for this narrator again.