![]() ![]() ![]() During the Norman Conquest of England, “Carbonel” continued to be used as a name in the same context, deriving its origin from the Latin word “carbo”, which means charcoal. It was first used in France, in the area called Gascogne, and was a name for a person with dark hair or a dark complexion. The choice of “Carbonel” as a name is significant. Barbara Sleigh has borrowed the idea for her series of novels, but their tone is light-hearted rather than frightening. The story is based on an old folk tale from the British Isles “The King of the Cats”, which was first found in the work “Beware the Cat” by a William Baldwin in 1533, although it is probably far older than this. My most recent “reading” of this was a delight, with the talented reader imbuing the character of Carbonel with a regal presence, his voice when speaking this part reminiscent of Noel Coward. ![]() It is particularly good read aloud, for the younger end of the spectrum. It is perhaps most suitable for those between 7 and 11 years of age, but its humour means that it can be enjoyed at any age. ![]() Have you ever loved a book and its characters, been happy when their fortunes are good, and worried on their behalf when things are not going so well, been engrossed in their adventures, and delighted by the lively wit of the author - only to have everything destroyed by a careless, jarring ending? This is such a book.Ĭarbonel: the King of the Cats is a children’s fantasy book by Barbara Sleigh, which was first published in 1955. ![]()
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