كانت حياة القط ثورباس تتسم بالهدوء والألفة إلى أن حط على نافذته طائر نورس بلا سابق إنذار ملقيا على كاهله مهاما وعودا شاقة، تتحد القطط لمساعدة ثورباس للإيفاء بهذه الوعود.

ستجد الرواية مليئة باللطف بشخصياتها الحيوانية اللطيفة والأليفة، فحتى في تحليلهم للإنسان وطبيعته المعادية للطبيعة والحيوان تجدهم يلتمسون له الأعذار والاستثناءات.

رواية آسرة ولكل الأطفال من الثامنة حتى الثامنة والثمانين (كما يقول الكتاب)

3.5 STARS

I really appreciate some things about this story. I loved the camaraderie and the distinct characters of the port cats. I thought it was great how they are so honorable, especially Zorba, who goes above and beyond to honor the dying wishes of a gull help raise her baby seagull until the baby is able to fly. The conversations between the cats are so much fun, especially when the Col. and SevenSeas are in the mix. Great fun and well realized characters, especially for such a short book. Too, I really liked the ending. I can't really say why without giving things away, but it was both surprising and satisfactory. I also love some of the things we learn about in the story, like DaVinci's flying machine. A great way to introduce kids to the wide world of wonder that is the Encyclopedia!

Now, a few things I was not so keen about: The tale seemed too didactic for my taste. It really hits over the head with how bad humans are when they pollute the ocean, and when they exploit animals. Not that I want to support pollution or keeping animals in cages, but I don't want a sermon about it and I don't think kids do, either. I wish there could have been a few more "good" humans featured in the story, to help kids see that there are things they can do to help. The messages could have been even stronger if they were conveyed more subtly, I feel. Also, a few things just felt really weird and not necessary to me--like the monkey drinking beer all the time. And mentioning that the human likes to smoke and contemplate life. I didn't really feel these are necessary to a children's story, though perhaps it is a cultural thing as I believe smoking and drinking are generally more acceptable and "the norm" in Germany compared to California.

Overall, I think this is a worthwhile story, especially for cat lovers. I think some of the messages were really beautiful—I love how the chick feels so at home with the cats, so well loved and accepted, yet also feels her inner-gull yearning to stretch her wings and fly. Parents should know, though, that it contains some very sad scenes, such as an oil spill which covers a gull and eventually kills her, and also the instances of drinking.

The illustrations are generally charming (though the one of the monkey was kinda creepy and the one of the gull in the oil slick is so sad!) and I just love Zorba! I could practically feel his fluffy black fur and feel him purring. What an awesome "Mommy"--and a very special, honorable cat!

كتاب حالم وخفيف.
يروي قصة عن تقبل الأختلاف وعن 'قلوب تخفق بإيقاعات مختلفة لكن بالشدة ذاتها'.
حانية جداً.

Da leggere, sia da grandi che da piccini.

«Volo! Zorba! So volare!» strideva euforica dal vasto cielo grigio.
L'umano accarezzò il dorso del gatto.
«Bene, gatto. Ci siamo riusciti» disse sospirando.
«Sì, sull'orlo del baratro ha capito la cosa più importante» miagolò Zorba.
«Ah sì? E cosa ha capito?» chiesel'umano.
«Che vola solo chi osa farlo» miagolò Zorba.
«Immagino che adesso tu preferisca rimanere solo. Ti aspetto giù» lo salutò l'umano.

(La gabbianella e il gatto)