For the child who dreams of overcoming humble beginnings and making their mark, this classic English folktale teaches about perseverance and finding fortune through hard work.
When a child feels discouraged by their circumstances or believes their small efforts don't matter, this classic tale offers a powerful message of hope. It tells the story of Dick Whittington, a poor orphan who journeys to London with his cat, dreaming of a better life. He faces loneliness and hardship, but through perseverance, kindness, and a bit of luck, he overcomes his humble beginnings to become the famous Lord Mayor. For children 7-10, this story powerfully illustrates that your starting point doesn't define your destiny and that even small acts can lead to great fortune. It’s a wonderful choice for modeling resilience and opening conversations about fairness and hard work.
The story addresses themes of poverty, being an orphan, and bullying (from the cook). These topics are handled directly but within the traditional, slightly distanced style of a folktale. The resolution is entirely hopeful and aspirational, a classic 'rags-to-riches' arc with no lingering trauma or ambiguity. The approach is secular.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a child aged 7-9 who is developing a sense of fairness and may feel like an underdog. It's for the child who is moving to a new place and feels lonely, or the one who is daunted by a big goal and needs a story to show that perseverance (and a little luck) can change everything.
Parent Prep
While the book can be read cold, a brief explanation of historical London, apprenticeships, and merchant trading can enrich the experience. A parent should be ready to discuss the role of luck versus hard work in Dick's success. No specific scenes require pre-reading, but the concept of sending a cat on a ship as a business venture may need clarification. A parent might reach for this after hearing their child say, "It's not fair that they have more than me," or "I'll never be able to do that." The child may be feeling powerless in the face of their circumstances or is struggling to fit into a new environment.
Age Experience
A younger reader (age 7) will likely focus on the adventure story: the boy and his heroic cat who save the day. They will connect to the themes of friendship and persistence on a simple level. An older reader (age 9-10) will better grasp the social dynamics of class, the concept of social mobility, and the blend of fate and personal agency in Dick's story.
What Makes It Special
Unlike contemporary stories that emphasize internal mindset, this is a classic folktale where destiny and external fortune (the bells' prophecy, the cat's lucky voyage) play a significant role alongside Dick's virtue and persistence. This blend of agency and fate offers a different, more traditional perspective on achieving success. Charles Causley's poetic prose also gives this version a distinguished, timeless quality.
Read plot summary
A poor orphan named Dick Whittington travels to London, believing the streets are paved with gold. He finds work with a kind merchant, Mr. Fitzwarren, but is mistreated by the cook. His only friend is his cat, which he sends on a merchant ship as his sole investment. Feeling hopeless, Dick almost leaves London but is persuaded to return by the Bow Bells, which seem to promise he will become mayor. Meanwhile, his cat rids a foreign land of rats, making Dick's fortune. He returns a wealthy man, marries the merchant's daughter, and is eventually elected Lord Mayor of London three times.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When Dick felt like giving up and leaving London, the sound of the bells made him turn back. Have you ever felt like quitting something? What helped you decide to keep going?
2
The cook was very unkind to Dick, but Mr. Fitzwarren and his daughter Alice were kind. Why do you think their kindness was so important to Dick's story?
3
Dick's only real possession was his cat, but the cat ended up making him rich. What does this tell us about the value of things that are not money?
4
Do you think Dick became successful because of his hard work, because he was lucky, or a little of both? Explain your thinking.
