Catwings

by Ursula K. Le Guin, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Overview

A litter of winged kittens flee the city for the countryside in this first “small gem of a book” (Publishers Weekly) in legendary author Ursula K. Le Guin’s bestselling Catwings chapter book series, now with a new look!

Mrs. Jane Tabby can’t explain why her four kittens—Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet—were born with wings. Whatever the reason, she’s grateful they can use their flying skills to soar away from the dangerous, busy city where they were born. But once the kittens escape, they learn that country life comes with its own difficulties—just as they learn that help and friendship can be found in even the most unlikely places.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665936606
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/24/2023
Series:	Catwings Series , #1
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	684,433
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

S. D. Schindler is the popular and versatile illustrator of many books for children, including Ursula K. Le Guin’s Catwings series; Skeleton Hiccups and Monster Mess!, both by Margery Cuyler; Big Pumpkin and the ALA Notable Children’s Book Don’t Fidget a Feather!, both by Erica Silverman; How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky; and Johnny Appleseed by Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benét. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His website is SDSchindlerBooks.com.

Hometown:

Portland, Oregon

Date of Birth:

October 21, 1929

Place of Birth:

Berkeley, California

Education:

B.A., Radcliffe College; M.A., Columbia University, 1952

Website:

http://www.ursulakleguin.com

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1

Editorial Reviews

Down an alley in a dumpster, Mrs. Jane Tabby gives birth to four kittens. But these are no ordinary offspringeach has a pair of wings. Although Mrs. Tabby is unperturbed by her kittens' appearance, her neighbors are not so charitable; when the kittens are old enough to fly, Mrs. Tabby sends her children out into the world. Because both winged and four-footed creatures mistrust them, the kittens have trouble finding a place to live, but eventually discover a loving home. LeGuin, author of the distinguished Earthsea Trilogy and other books, has written a small gem of a book, with convincing and intriguing characters. Dark watercolor etchings by Schindler further convey the plight of these airborne felines and their seeking of a home. A Richard Jackson Book. Ages 7-10. (September)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 2-4 At first Mrs. Jane Tabby can't understand why her four kittens have been born with wings. Then she realizes that they will be able to fly away from their dreary and dangerous city neighborhood. (Mrs. T. can't come with them because she is going to marry Mr. Tom Jones, and ``I don't want you children underfoot!'') So the kittens sadly leave their mother and go off into the world. After some mild adventures, they settle in a wooded area and learn to forage for themselves. Then danger appears in the form of a large owl. Luckily at this point Harriet, the smallest kitten, discovers Susan and Hank Brown from a neighboring farm. The tale ends happily with the cats snuggled up to the children and the promise of a safe new home. Cats are always appealing, and winged cats should be doubly so. However, the story barely skirts cuteness; the language has a self-conscious tone which works against the action of the plot. Softly-colored ink drawings add an old-fashioned tone, as do the Victorian names of the cats. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Pub . Lib .

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