An Irish Dr. Doolittle sort of story, of an old shoemaker who lives on the edge of the wood with his dog and his goat and his red hen, and of what happens when he adds a white cat to the menage, arousing the jealousy of the others. The cat turns out to be a fairy cat -- and all sorts of adventures happen, which couldn't happen anywhere but Ireland. Folktale quality, and simpler style than the Padraic Colum tales. Helen Sewell illustrations have unique charm.