Book Reviews for Tabitha Fink

Tabitha Fink: The Cat With One Eye - Review by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

“Tabitha Fink: The Cat With One Eye by Rick Felty is about Tabitha Fink, the cat who introduces herself to readers using clever rhymes and interesting words that will help to improve their vocabulary. Tabitha Fink is happy the way she is, not being a star or a bear with a hat. She is not a doll or a blueberry pie, but just Tabitha Fink and she is happy being herself. The book conveys a beautiful message of accepting oneself and realizing that we all are great as we are, just like one-eyed Tabitha Fink.
I found the book adorable and the message is very up-lifting. It teaches children to be happy with their own selves instead of trying to be like someone else. The illustrations are charming and lively and help children learn a lot of new things. Tabitha is a lovable one-eyed cat and she teaches readers to feel great with what they have. It’s a good bedtime storybook and parents and grandparents can read it out to their kids and grandkids. The book can also be used for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries.
The message conveyed through the book is very healthy and empowering and teaches young readers to celebrate their uniqueness and individuality. Books that convey good messages to kids help them understand the message or the concept better when narrated with the help of a story. Kids will love this book and they will also like the voice of Tabitha Fink.”

Hang onto your hats…er…spaceships because Tabitha Fink, the amazing one-eyed cat, is at it again, and this time she’s heading to Mars!

We first met Tabitha Fink in the delightful book Tabitha Fink: The Cat With One Eye. In that story, Tabitha Fink showed the world that she’s a pretty awesome cat, and while she only has one eye, that certainly didn’t hold her back from doing ANYTHING. In fact, it is, in part, what makes her amazing and super cool. The story has a great message for kids to be what they want, and despite any ‘differences’ they may have, they’re all pretty amazing and super cool too.

Now Tabitha Fink has decided to take a trip to Mars and she’s taking us along. You see, Tabitha Fink is curious about the people on Mars. How do they travel? What do they eat? Do they like to paint or perhaps draw?

When Tabitha Fink arrives on Mars, she quickly meets the local Martians. A charming group of smiling folks, they show Tabitha Fink around the landscape. The curious cat learns all about local food and customs. But then she spots a little Martian who is quite shy. Will Tabitha Fink be able to help the little space child conquer his fears?

When I saw another Tabitha Fink book arrive for review, I grabbed it for myself. I reviewed the first book about this wonderful one-eyed cat (did you know there is a real Tabitha Fink? – you can learn more about her/see a photo at the author’s website). Like the first, this tale is told in simple rhyme that keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. The story is adorable and the illustrations are absolutely perfect. Perhaps the most creative thing here is the use of imaginary things that the Martians use, and that the author actually manages to find words to rhyme with these odd-sounding creations. Try rhyming “Flipperty-Flang” with something that doesn’t sound forced! Overall, this is another book that young (and old) cat enthusiasts, as well as those who simply enjoy a fun story, will love.

Quill says: Another winner from author Rick Felty. I hope he plans to send Tabitha Fink on many more adventures because I can’t wait to see where she goes next!”

Quill says: Tabitha Fink and the Patchwork Pirates is a very fun story that teaches children that by combining our different talents, we can work together to do great things.

Climb aboard a pirate ship, mateys, and get ready for a fun adventure with a very famous cat – Tabitha Fink! On her latest adventure, Tabitha Fink, the one-eyed cat, is about to set sail to search for buried treasure. She has a ship, with a flag she made, and a beautiful patchwork sail too. The best part is that her good friend, Bartholomew the mouse, will be her first mate. The pair look quite smart in their pirate outfits and they’re ready to sail…almost. They have the clothes, they have a ship and a map to the buried treasure, but they need a crew! What will they do?

The pirates soon have a plan – they post a sign to find their crew:
Pirates Ahoy!!

Want three happy pirates,
two girls and a boy.
No experience needed.
We’ll show you the ropes.
Please share in our journey,
our dreams and our hopes.

Tabitha is thrilled when three would-be pirates apply and she quickly welcomes them to the crew. But Bartholomew is perplexed, as he is sure the three new pirates don’t have what it takes for the long journey. The first is a cook who likes to make cakes, the second is a tuba player, and the final new mate is a cowgirl. How will they ever find the buried treasure with such an inexperienced crew?

“For the very last time,
this does not seem good.”
cried Bartholomew Blink
feeling misunderstood.
“She cannot say Arrr!!
this is something to note.
Without any pirates, we won’t stay afloat!”

But Tabitha Fink is certain her new crew, with their very different talents, are just what they need:

“This cowgirl seems clever and
talented too,” said wise Tabitha
Fink, “look at all she can do!”

The ship is soon underway and while Tabitha Fink and the three new pirates are all set for adventure, Bartholomew is convinced they are sailing into trouble. When they meet up with a huge whale who tries to sink the ship, the little mouse is sure they’re about to sink…

This is the first book in the popular “Tabitha Fink” series that I have read and I was immediately drawn into the adorable story. Tabitha Fink and her best buddy Bartholomew are the perfect pair and the pirate adventure on the high seas is one every young reader will love. The illustrations add a fun aspect to the tale as they’re playful, colorful and the facial expressions of the pirates tells the story perfectly. When Bartholomew has reservations about the new crew, children will see, and learn, just how wonderful it is when we all come together to share our different talents. Bartholomew learns an important lesson that is easily shared with young readers, for like the “Patchwork Pirates” who all have diverse backgrounds, we can come together to work through the hardest of problems.

Finally, the author has chosen to tell the story in simple rhyme which flows very naturally and moves the story right along to a very satisfying conclusion. Now I think it’s time I go back and check out the other Tabitha Fink stories!

Tabitha Fink Ninja at Night – Readers’ Favorite

Tabitha Fink: Ninja at Night by Rick Felty is the story of Tabitha Fink, a cat who has only one eye. She likes to try out things that no other cat does. She is happy to be different and she lives with Bartholomew Blink, who is a mouse. They sleep every day on carpets and stairs, and play hide and seek around the tables and chairs. They have fun during the daytime, but when it becomes night, things are unpleasant for Bartholomew Blink. He gets scared of the dark and feels there is a scary monster in his closet, and an old witch with a scary old broom underneath the bed. There are a lot of other things too that scare Bartholomew Blink at night, and Tabitha Fink tells him what to do to deal with the fear of darkness.

The concept of the story is good. It tells readers to make friends with their monsters before turning off the light. Both characters, Tabitha Fink, the cat, and Bartholomew Blink, the mouse, are adorable and they also show how friends can support each other during difficult times. The illustrations are bright and charming, and they breathe life into the story and bring the scenes and characters alive. It is a good bedtime storybook and the concept makes it an excellent choice for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries. The story has good messages of friendship and overcoming the fear of darkness, which makes it an ideal storybook for children.