Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2-4. When four kittens with wings are born in a rough city neighborhood, their mother nurtures and protects them as they grow and learn to fly. At her urging they soon escape the dangerous streets and alleys, flying to a forest where they find more enemies but, finally, new friends. A girl and her brother offer them a safe home, promising not to restrict their freedom or tell anyone about them. Given its fanciful premise, this quiet tale is surprisingly convincing. LeGuin's language is devoid of precious sentimentality and Schindler's illustrations, detailed, graceful ink drawings washed with muted colors, are captivating in their grave, lovely depiction of the story. The small, slender format suits, setting the book apart from picture books and standard fiction alike. In size it resembles Esther Averill's Jenny series, and its audience may well be the same cat-loving children who have taken those gentle yet substantial fantasies to their hearts. CP. Cats-Fiction [CIP] 87-33104
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
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 . (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Read by the author. Le Guin's tales about a quartet of winged tabby cats land on their feet in these audio versions. The inaugural story follows the kittens' daunting journey from the city slums to the country, where they settle with two kind children; the sequel returns the youngest siblings, Harriet and James, to the city, where danger abounds as they rescue their half-sister Jane and are reunited with their mother. Le Guin's assured, steadfast performance will quell young listeners' fears when the kittens set out on their own; on their return, her heightened use of inflection and pacing appropriately mirrors the kittens' suspenseful, harrowing search for their missing mother. [Review covers these audiobook titles: Catwings and Catwings Returns]From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A charming, if insubstantial, little story about the setting out into the world of four alley kittens who were born with wings--perhaps ""their father was a fly-by-night"" Once they begin to fly, their mother (Mrs. Jane Tabby)--because she realizes that the neighborhood is ""terrible. . .and getting worse,"" and because she is making her own plans with Mr. Tom Jones, who has proposed--sends them out to seek their fortune. They discover a lovely rural area; and after an adventure with an owl, they settle down where two children are wise enough to feed them without threatening their independence--thus obviating the danger of the kittens' upsetting the natural balance by taking unfair advantage of their wings. Although there is nothing extraordinary here in either theme or event, the wit and precision with which the story is told give it considerable appeal. Schindler's exquisitely detailed drawings, warmed with the softest of added color, make a perfect accompaniment to what should serve as a satisfying young reader or as a read-aloud. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
