The following book is available at many public libraries. âThe Christmas Day Kittenâ written by James Herriot, illustrated by Ruth Brown, St. Martinâs Press, 32 pages - Advertisement - Read yourself: age 7-8 and older. Mrs. Pickering is a kind woman who has opened her home to a stray cat she names Debbie. Debbie visits when she chooses, soaks in a few moments of solitude, eats a little food and then is gone. Mrs. Pickering never knows when Debbie will return. One Christmas morning, Mrs. Pickering telephones the local country vet, Dr. Herriot. Debbie had arrived earlier that day, and there was something terribly wrong. Dr. Herriot hurries to the Pickering house and discovers a bittersweet scenario. Sorrow turns to joy, however, when Mrs. Pickering receives the finest Christmas gift she could ever ask for.