Catwings #1

Catwings

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The bestselling Catwings series!

Mrs. Jane Tabby can't explain why her four precious kittens were born with wings, but she's grateful that they are able to use their flying skills to soar away from the dangerous city slums where they were born. However, once the kittens escape the big city, they learn that country life can be just as difficult!

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1988

Series
Literary awards

This edition

Format
40 pages, Paperback
Published
May 1, 2003 by Orchard Books
ISBN
9780439551892
ASIN
0439551897
Language
English
Characters More characters

About the author

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Ursula K. Le Guin published twenty-two novels, eleven volumes of short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry and four of translation, and has received many awards: Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, etc. Her recent publications include the novel Lavinia, an essay collection, Cheek by Jowl, and The Wild Girls. She lived in Portland, Oregon.

She was known for her treatment of gender (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Matter of Seggri), political systems (The Telling, The Dispossessed) and difference/otherness in any other form. Her interest in non-Western philosophies was reflected in works such as "Solitude" and The Telling but even more interesting are her imagined societies, often mixing traits extracted from her profound knowledge of anthropology acquired from growing up with her father, the famous anthropologist, Alfred Kroeber. The Hainish Cycle reflects the anthropologist's experience of immersing themselves in new strange cultures since most of their main characters and narrators (Le Guin favoured the first-person narration) are envoys from a humanitarian organization, the Ekumen, sent to investigate or ally themselves with the people of a different world and learn their ways.

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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No review yet...

Just commenting that I was so saddened to hear of the death of this wonderful author this week.

The news came as a great shock to me. I have been a big fan of this author's works for a long time. Their writing has always had the power to touch my heart and inspire my imagination.

I remember vividly the first time I picked up one of their books. The story immediately drew me in, and I was completely hooked. Their unique style and ability to create complex and relatable characters made their books a joy to read.

This author's passing is truly a great loss to the literary world. Their works will live on, however, and continue to inspire generations of readers to come.

I will always cherish the memories of reading their books and will continue to recommend them to others. Rest in peace, dear author.
July 15,2025
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I have an extremely deep affection for this book or series. When I was a child, it held a special place in my heart. It was not just a source of entertainment but also a world that I could escape to. The stories were so captivating and the illustrations were truly magical.

As I grew up, my love for it never waned. In fact, it became so strong that I decided to get a tattoo of one of the illustrations. This tattoo is not just a design on my skin but a symbol of my enduring love and connection to this wonderful book or series.

Every time I look at it, I am reminded of the countless hours I spent reading and imagining. It brings back all those precious memories and makes me feel a sense of joy and nostalgia. I am so glad that I had the courage to get this tattoo and make this connection a permanent part of my life.
July 15,2025
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The first Ursula Le Guin book I ever read and still my favourite is "A Wizard of Earthsea".

This book introduced me to a magical world filled with wizards, dragons, and powerful spells. The story follows the journey of a young wizard named Ged as he discovers his true potential and learns to master the forces of magic.

What I love most about this book is the rich and detailed world-building. Le Guin creates a vivid and immersive world that feels both familiar and strange. The characters are well-developed and complex, and their relationships add depth and emotion to the story.

Another aspect that makes this book so special is the themes it explores. It delves into issues such as identity, power, and responsibility, making it not just a fun adventure but also a thought-provoking read.

"A Wizard of Earthsea" is a timeless classic that has captivated readers of all ages. It is a book that I will continue to cherish and recommend to others.
July 15,2025
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I had read the Earthsea Series and several other books by Le Guin during my high school days. However, Catwings had somehow escaped my attention. In this book, Le Guin manages to create a wonderful sense of wonder. The short tale of a litter of kittens born with wings is simplistic yet charming. One can't help but wonder what a mother would do in such a situation. And when it comes time for the kittens to stretch their wings and leave home, how would other animals react? What's truly astonishing about Le Guin is her ability to create numerous memorable stories that seem to have no connection to each other. Catwings is a quick read that leaves a lasting impression. It's a delightful little book that takes you into a world of imagination and magic.

July 15,2025
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Four winged kittens decided to embark on a journey to discover a more suitable place to reside than the bustling city. They believed that a change of scenery would bring them greater joy and contentment.

However, as they arrived in the countryside, they soon realized that country life was not without its difficulties. The wide-open spaces and unfamiliar sounds initially seemed overwhelming.

Despite these challenges, the story is brought to life through charming illustrations that add a touch of magic to the narrative. The storyteller, much like Emily Dickinson, presents the truth in a unique and slanted way, which keeps the readers engaged and entertained.

The addition of some humor throughout the story lightens the mood and makes it even more enjoyable. And to top it all off, the story has a happy ending that leaves the readers with a sense of satisfaction.

On 4/22/23, I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version, which was pleasingly read by the author herself. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to fully immerse myself in the delightful and fabulous story of the four winged kittens.

July 15,2025
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This is a charming 40-page children's book that tells the story of four kittens born to a mama cat in a bustling big city.

The four kittens were initially like any other baby kittens, struggling to survive by eating dumpster food and such. However, what set them apart was that they all had wings!

Their wings made them unique and caused others to treat them differently. As they grew, they eventually learned to fly. Their mother, who loved them dearly, urged them to fly away to a better life.

At first, the kittens resisted, as they were reluctant to leave their mother and the only home they had known. But after a scary incident while foraging for food, they realized that they needed to be brave and take a chance.

So, they said goodbye to their mother and flew off into the wide world. Along the way, they had many experiences, both good and bad. They met new friends, faced challenges, and learned valuable lessons.

Finally, after much adventure, they found a place that they thought might be able to offer them a sense of belonging and a chance to settle down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet little fantasy tale. The story was engaging and heartwarming, and the beautiful, full-color illustrations added an extra layer of charm. It's no wonder that this is the first in a series, as I'm sure readers of all ages will be eager to follow the further adventures of these adorable winged kittens.

July 15,2025
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I read this when I was small and remembered it as being super adorable.

Small me was so right. The story was truly charming and filled with elements that captured my young imagination.

But small me didn't appreciate the WONDERFUL cattish illustrations. They were so detailed and生动, bringing the story to life in a whole new way.

The cats in the illustrations had such unique personalities and expressions, it was as if they were real characters.

Come on, small me! If only I could go back in time and see those illustrations with a more mature and appreciative eye.

I would have loved to study each one and soak in the beauty and creativity that went into them.

Maybe then I would have understood just how special this book really was.

But even without fully appreciating the illustrations at the time, the story still left a lasting impression on me.

It's a reminder that sometimes we don't fully understand the value of things when we're young, but as we grow older, we can look back and see them in a whole new light.

July 15,2025
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I read this series of short books aloud to my daughter when she was in the first grade.

We both were completely mesmerized by this sweet and subtly deep story about a litter of cats born with wings.

There is no actual magic in these books in the traditional sense, and yet they possess a kind of pure magic that is truly enchanting.

Definitely recommended, and they really managed to keep my attention as well.

The books offer subtle lessons about compassion and how different people react to others with unusual traits.

It's a wonderful exploration of acceptance and understanding in a charming and engaging way.

My daughter and I had many great discussions about the story and the messages it conveyed.

These books are not only entertaining but also educational, making them a great choice for children and adults alike.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a heartwarming and thought-provoking read.
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