Now in paperback, a story about a girl and her magical talking pet cat, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland 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. Carbonel’s adventures continue in The Kingdom of Carbonel and  Carbonel and Calidor. “A truly bewitching story reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland .” — New York Journal American “The Carbonel books are excellent stories, imbued with wonder and practicality in equal measure, dry humor, and a clear-eyed and sometimes sardonic love of cats. They have a healthy interest in food and a ruthless interest in the logical working-out of the implications of magic...These books have moved me to laughter and tears.” —Pamela Dean “Magic and everyday life blend smoothly in this highly enjoyable fantasy, perfect for reading aloud.” —Terri Schmitz,  The Horn Book "A delightful fantasy of real literary merit. When Rosemary acquired a black cat and an old broom, she thought she had a pet and a means of earning money for widowed mother. But Carbonel was magic, and at his behest she set out to acquire a witch's hat, pot and spell to disenchant him. How she does this will enthrall children. A must for all libraries." — Library Journal "A delightfully amusing story." — Parents Magazine 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. V. H. Drummond (1911–2000) was a British author and illustrator whose books included Phewtus the Squirrel and Mrs. Easter’s Parasol .