C'est par ce petit livre jeunesse que je découvre l'autrice pour la première fois. I was not expecting such a bittersweet reading considering the targeted audience (from 8 years old).

If the main plot seems rather simple, I find that the themes addressed are quite deep and even sad.

It is the story of a strange siblinghood of flying kittens. It is not common for cats to have wings, but their mother sees in it an opportunity for them to escape the harsh reality of the street and discover a better world. She therefore encourages them to fly with their own wings (in all senses of the term^^). They will be confronted with all kinds of reactions in the encounters they will have, ranging from rejection to wonder. They will also discover that independence is beautiful but that it has a price.

In reality, these are life lessons that the author transmits through this feline learning novel.

The writing is very accessible and without frills, but it still exudes a certain poetry.

PS: The illustrations are "dated" but rather cute.

I found the first three books at Goodwill and immediately snapped them up, all because of Le Guin!

Catwings is an odd little chapter book. It's about a litter of four mutant cats named Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet. Their loving mother kicks them out so she can get married "without you children underfoot." But really, she means well and is proud of her befeathered brood. (Yeah, it's kind of complex for kid lit.)

Anyway, the kittehs have to fend for themselves, making their way out of the city and into the wild countryside. They learn to fly! They learn to ignore the prejudice of other winged animals who exclaim "Shocking! Unheard of! Not allowed!" They also learn to fear the imperious Owl who maims James. (It's a brutal world out there, kids.) But eventually, they find a pair of kind human farm-kids who feed them. Okay, it's sort of a cop-out on the hero narrative, but they don't all have to be, and I suppose this sets up the sequels.

There are enjoyable nuggets throughout the book. For example, Le Guin's employment of parallel dialog structure between the cats and the humans is quite interesting. Also, there are these lovely quotes. One is "The fish in the creek said nothing. Fish never do. Few people know what fish think about injustice, or anything else." Another is "From then on they had to hunt in the daytime and hide in their nest all night; for the Owl thinks slowly, but the Owl thinks long." These elements add depth and charm to the story.

Een heel (te!) kort verhaaltje dat wel extreem lief is (en die tekeningen).

Once upon a time, there was a little story that was extremely lovely. It was so short, yet it managed to capture the hearts of all who read it. The story was accompanied by some beautiful illustrations that added to its charm. The characters in the story were simple yet endearing, and their adventures were full of excitement and wonder. Despite its brevity, the story left a lasting impression on the reader, making them smile and feel warm inside. It was a truly special little tale that will be cherished for a long time to come.

Mesá apó ta máthia tis kórís mou, stin opeía to diávasα kai mállon to anéxtike gia na páei pió piso tin ώρα katákliσης. The winged cats is a fairy tale with a strange beginning (a mother practically throws her children on the street to make a new family with a new cat), a middle that doesn't quite make sense (yes, the different ones don't get along well even when their difference is an advantage) and a sudden end that leaves you with a bunch of questions (yes, we were happy that we found "hands" but... what? Was that it? Were the first "hands" we found the good, the right ones? And why does the book end like a door slamming in your face?).

The second star, I assume, is due in large part to the illustration (I'm not taking an oath). My own opinion doesn't count. The book wasn't for me.

I read this children's book a few days ago.

The only reason I picked it up was because it was written by Ursula K. Le Guin. I'm a huge advocate of exposing kids to excellent writing.

At first glance, it seemed like a decent book to read to a child. The writing was nice, but not overly spectacular.

However, to my surprise, the book has been constantly on my mind ever since.

It raises a number of interesting issues. For example, the pros and cons of being different, how to adjust to new situations, learning to accept inevitabilities, deciding whom to trust, and the importance of supporting family members.

What's great is that these issues are presented in a way that would be really appealing to children. It makes for a good story that not only entertains but also makes them think.

In fact, it was so thought-provoking that I felt compelled to rate and review it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good children's read that goes beyond the ordinary.

Catwings is a truly heartwarming coming-of-age story. However, for those who are willing to dig deeper and paw their way to greater meaning, there are contemporary issues and symbolism simmering beneath the surface. In just forty-eight pages, Ursula K. Le Guin's memorable tale of four winged-kittens takes readers on a journey that explores marginalized communities, race, and compassion. The story begins with Mrs. Jane Tabby, who is unable to explain why all four of her children have wings. A neighbor makes a cruel comment, suggesting that their father was a "fly-by-night" and laughing unpleasantly as they sneak around the dumpster. But Mrs. Jane Tabby offers a more hopeful explanation, saying that maybe her kittens have wings because she dreamed, before they were born, that she could fly away from their neighborhood. This simple exchange sets the stage for a story that is both charming and thought-provoking.

This is an okay story that is enhanced by the great pen and ink and wash illustrations.

The story itself has its own charm, perhaps with an engaging plot or interesting characters. It manages to hold the reader's attention to a certain extent.

However, it may not be a masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression.

The pen and ink and wash illustrations, on the other hand, are truly remarkable. They add a unique visual dimension to the story, bringing the scenes and characters to life in a beautiful and artistic way.

The use of black and white ink and the delicate wash techniques create a sense of elegance and mystery.

Overall, while the story may be just okay, the illustrations make this a worthwhile read or viewing experience. They have the power to enhance the story and make it more memorable.

It would be interesting to see more works that combine such great illustrations with an equally engaging story.

I read this aloud to my six-year-old granddaughter.

It's truly a charming experience. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that it's about a litter of kittens born with wings.

Danica's reaction to the book was simply delightful. She said, "I really want to be in that book." And she didn't just stop at saying it. She played 'flying kitten' all day long. She went around collecting feathers from my moulting chickens and then zoomed about the acreage with them in her outstretched hands. It was such a joy to watch her imagination come to life.

This book is truly a perfect fit for her. We are so lucky to have the three sequels as well. I fully expect a similar wonderful reaction from her when we read those. I can't wait to see how her love for these stories continues to grow and how she'll bring them to life in her own unique ways.

It's moments like these that make reading with her so special and memorable.

I first heard about this at a conference and was immediately intrigued. Ursula K Le Guin is an author whom I've not read very much of. (I know, I know, it's a bit of a gap in my reading.) At that time, I was currently working on a part of my research that involved children writing stories about everyday animals with wings. (Yes, I know, it sounds rather unique.) Circumstances seemed to be pushing me towards "Catwings", and I was more than happy to go along with it.

The only problem was that it wasn't the easiest text to obtain. I believe it's out of print in the UK at the moment. Fortunately, my library came to my rescue. And so, at long last, I got my hands on "Catwings".

I was initially surprised by how slender the book was. But then I began to realize that it's a very precise, finely crafted, and deliciously strange early reader. The depth within it is immense, with social commentary and discussions about motherhood. The only drawback is that you kind of wish there were three hundred thousand more pages of it. However, this is an early reader, so that's not possible. But it is truly delicious, wonderfully precise, rather like a fable, and sort of a little bit magical. I think I rather fell in love with it.

A cute little book with charming illustrations is truly a delight. The moment you pick it up, you are greeted by its endearing cover, which immediately draws you in. As you turn the pages, you are treated to a series of captivating illustrations that bring the story to life. Each illustration is carefully crafted, with attention to detail and a unique style that adds to the overall charm of the book. The colors are vivid and inviting, making the book a visual treat for both children and adults alike. Whether you are reading it alone or sharing it with a loved one, this cute little book with its charming illustrations is sure to bring a smile to your face and warm your heart.

I've been delving deep into the works of Ursula K. Le Guin. Her Sci-Fi, Fantasy, fiction, and even poetry and essays have been captivating my attention. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that she'd also penned some children's series. So, I thought it would be a delightful experience to give Catwings a try. It's the first installment in a 5-book series that follows a family of cats with wings who can take to the skies.

Mrs. Jane Tabby, a single mother cat, resides with her four children near a garbage dumpster in a perilous city slum. For reasons unknown, her four kittens - Thelma, Harriet, Roger, and James - all possess wings. One day, when she witnesses Harriet fly into the sky to evade an enraged dog, Mrs. Jane makes the decision that her four children must depart from the dangerous city and learn to fend for themselves.

And that's the starting point of this charming little story. The four kittens take flight into the countryside and face numerous challenges as they strive to survive. They encounter various tribulations along the way. The birds are scared of the flying cats, and as a result, Mr. Owl attacks James, injuring his wing. He also targets Roger. A family of noisy raccoons constantly argues, keeping the kittens awake at night. Additionally, they struggle to find food and start to lose weight.

What lies in store for them? Well, since it's a very short story, I'll refrain from revealing more. Suffice it to say that the illustrations by S.D. Schindler are truly lovely. The story is engaging, and kids would surely adore it, especially the ending. And then they can eagerly move on to the next book in the series.

I absolutely loved this story!

Four winged kittens were born into a life of poverty in the ghetto. Their mother, however, was determined to push them to fly off and seek a better life. She told them that the very reason they were born with wings was to leave the ghetto and find a more suitable place to live.

The kittens heeded their mother's advice and set off for the country. For a while, everything seemed new and interesting. But they soon realized that everywhere was filled with danger.

As a result, they began to think of other options. One day, one of the kittens came across a human. They knew that humans could be either good or bad, so they were extremely cautious.

However, in the end, their risk paid off. They found the safe and loving home they had been longing for.

This is such an adorable story! I can't wait to check out the next book in the series and see what adventures the winged kittens will have next.