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63rd out of 90 books
—
1,577 voters
The Cat Who Went to Heaven
This is the story of a little cat who came to the home of a poor Japanese artist, and, by humility and devotion, brought him good fortune.
Hardcover, 63 pages
Published
July 1st 1967
by Macmillan
(first published 1930)
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A delightful fable about a poor painter who is commissioned to create a masterpiece of the dying Buddha for the village temple. The artist ponders and meditates on each element of the painting. He spends time contemplating the meaning of each animal to be added, but is unable to include the cat, as legend tells that only the cat of all animals refused the teachings of Buddha. When the painter rebels against tradition, and includes a cat in the painting, he is rewarded with a miracle. A very good...more
Nov 04, 2012
Nicole
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
newbery-award-winners
A starving young artist's housekeeper spends the little money they had on a cat. The artist is frustrated with this housekeeper under she explains to him that the cat was bought for good fortune. They call the cat Good Fortune. Miraculously, the young artist and the housekeeper are paid a visit from the head priest who wishes the artist to paint the death of Lord Buddha. With the inspiration of Good Fortune, the young drew Buddha with elephants, horses, deer, monkeys, tigers. Good Fortune was ex...more
Feb 15, 2009
Stacy268
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
newbery,
children-s
This was not the book for me. S-l-o-w-l-y the reader follows the journey of meditation of a young artist who is asked to paint the Buddha for the local temple. He becomes Buddha in the form of every animal that he paints, yet he is troubled that the will not be painting the cat into the picture. His housekeeper brought home a cat (Good Fortune), who seems quite interested in the painting's progress, and in a bit of a snit that there is no cat, save the tiger, in the picture. (Cats are the only a...more
The Cat Who Went to Heaven is a Buddhist folk story and takes place in an unnamed century.
The Story.
The young artist has never been in direr straights. He wishes his housekeeper could return from the market with yummy rice cakes and dumplings! But he knows that this is impossible – he is no master of art that he should dine this well. He will be content with his fish and rice.
But when the housekeeper returns, she does not even have these meager supplies. She has only a cat – devilish beast – a...more
The Story.
The young artist has never been in direr straights. He wishes his housekeeper could return from the market with yummy rice cakes and dumplings! But he knows that this is impossible – he is no master of art that he should dine this well. He will be content with his fish and rice.
But when the housekeeper returns, she does not even have these meager supplies. She has only a cat – devilish beast – a...more
The 1931 Newbery winner, this slim tale is set “far away in Japan.” A poor artist’s housekeeper brings in a small spotted cat, who is named Good Fortune. Shortly afterwards, he is commissioned by a temple to paint Buddha’s death scene. The artist meditates on the various sacrifices that various animals – the snail, the horse, the deer, the ox, the monkey, the dog – all made for the Buddha, or made when they were the Buddha in a different lifetime, and then he paints them coming to pay respects....more
Such fun--I have been sorting and sifting through boxes of old books, and re-reading and enjoying tremendously so many titles I read either as a child or a young adult. I'm so impressed by the high level of craftsmanship and story-telling in so much that I loved, and took for granted, then,
Kids of all ages ;) could use more of such authors today!
This is one of those well-told, gently eccentric stories that really belongs in no particular classification, or might be described as, by some, a 'cros...more
Kids of all ages ;) could use more of such authors today!
This is one of those well-told, gently eccentric stories that really belongs in no particular classification, or might be described as, by some, a 'cros...more
I read the book in one sitting. I think the book is very successful in telling a complex and rewarding story in very few pages. I love how Coatsworth combines the life of the artist with tales of Buddha's lives (Jataka). I think the Jataka stories would appeal to children because of their riddle-like nature (the spiritual version of Stories to Solve). Buddha is a bit of a trickster because the choices he makes are surprising, almost shocking, for instance when he chooses to sacrifice his lives f...more
Feb 07, 2010
Miz Lizzie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fiction,
animals,
buddhism,
caldecott,
cats,
childrensbooks,
compassion,
death,
folklore,
japan,
india,
reincarnation,
religion
I have vague memories of having been read this book and enjoying it at the time. I really enjoyed reading it again now. In recent times, it seems some of the discussion of what makes a Newbery book "distinguished" has focused on the stylistic or narrative risks that authors take to tell a story in an unusual yet effective manner. The Cat Who Went to Heaven strikes me as being one of the earliest Newbery books (after perhaps The Story of Mankind perhaps) to really be distinguished in that manner....more
I'm a bit biased. I'll adore any book with Asian influence, a cat, and Buddhism. Though, I don't know many children these days who would be entertained with The Cat Who Went to Heaven.
Coatsworth, Elizabeth J, and Lynd Ward. The Cat Who Went to Heaven. New York: The Macmillan Co, 1958. Print. 62 p.
(Originally published in 1930)
1931 Newbery Award Winner
When a cat named Good Fortune comes into the lives of a poor Japanese artist and his old housekeeper, their circumstances begin to change for the...more
Coatsworth, Elizabeth J, and Lynd Ward. The Cat Who Went to Heaven. New York: The Macmillan Co, 1958. Print. 62 p.
(Originally published in 1930)
1931 Newbery Award Winner
When a cat named Good Fortune comes into the lives of a poor Japanese artist and his old housekeeper, their circumstances begin to change for the...more
Fast read... past winner of Newbery award. A poor Chinese painter is commissioned to paint the death of Buddha. But everyone knows that cats are the one animal that wouldn't accept Buddha and that can't go to heaven. However, the painter's sweet cat seems to be teaching him that perhaps cats are not as bad as everyone thinks. Interesting introduction to Buddha/Siddhartha and some short Chinese tales of the kindness and goodness of each animal. I really liked the housekeeper's 4th song that even...more
Jul 01, 2012
Elaine Shandra
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Elaine Shandra by:
my first grade student
While looking for an interesting book that I haven't already read on my children's bookshelf, the bookshelf itself toppled and all the books fell to the ground! As I was looking at titles, I came across this one. I didn't realize that I own this book (it's one that I was given by my cooperating teacher who was retiring and giving away the vast majority of her student library). The oddity is that one of my first grade reading students last year always looked for the book cover to this book on the...more
This short piece is a collection of tales, which surround a larger story of compassion and sacrifice. Though slightly dated, the illustrations help to strengthen the stories narration and themes. A poor Japanese artist is presented with a cat by his Housekeeper and is blessed with Good Fortune. The priest of the village requests him to paint the death of the Lord Buddha, for a large sum. Upon much meditation and reflection the artist is able to paint the death of Buddha and the many animals that...more
What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be for me. I knew nothing about this story or what to expect, except that I am a big admirer of Lynd Ward's art. The particular edition I read and enjoyed was "A New Edition" and as the book jacket says, "Lynd Ward has created new illustrations for this edition; and seldom has an artist caught so exactly an author's intention." Usually this would annoy me, as I prefer to read an illustrated book in it's original condition with original pictures an...more
Dec 03, 2010
krym
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
newberry-winner,
children-s
It was a beautiful story but... I am confused how I would rate it.
plot - 3 stars because I can't predict what's next;
moral - 5 stars because of the retelling of Buddha's sojourn to enlightenment; I specifically like the story of the elephant :D
excitement - 2 stars because I was just getting excited and it's done!
But I guessed what really caught me is the time when the artist gave up everything for the happiness of the cat without any pang of regret. It is when I realized that people would reall...more
plot - 3 stars because I can't predict what's next;
moral - 5 stars because of the retelling of Buddha's sojourn to enlightenment; I specifically like the story of the elephant :D
excitement - 2 stars because I was just getting excited and it's done!
But I guessed what really caught me is the time when the artist gave up everything for the happiness of the cat without any pang of regret. It is when I realized that people would reall...more
An artist from Japan is frustrated when his housekeeper brings home a three-colored cat (Good Fortune) instead of food from the market because they are poor and down to their last few pennies. When a priest comes to the artist and offers him an opportunity to paint a picture of Buddha’s death for the temple, it appears that he will no longer have to suffer in poverty. The artist accepts and decides to paint an image of the Hindu gods, trees, mountains, disciples, and animals that came to bid Bud...more
A poor artist almost loses it when his housekeeper spends the last little bit of money on a cat. But when he sees the cat, three-colored and a nub of a tail, he relents. That's how Good Fortune, as the cat is soon named, becomes a fixture in the house. One day the head priest from the temple arrives to hire the artist to paint the death of buddha along with the animals who attended him and that he became in previous lives. Guess which animal wasn't among them? And while Good Fortune seems to fit...more
I majored in religious studies, primarily focusing on Buddhism and Islam - but had never heard of a cat being dishonored.
Still, I enjoyed the story and think that the cat might have been used as a way to connect the story more to Western life - make it a little more accessible to children.
The housekeeper's songs jarred me out of Coatsworth's lovely prose and I have to admit after the third one, I skipped over them, only going back to read them all after finishing the whole book.
I might recomm...more
Still, I enjoyed the story and think that the cat might have been used as a way to connect the story more to Western life - make it a little more accessible to children.
The housekeeper's songs jarred me out of Coatsworth's lovely prose and I have to admit after the third one, I skipped over them, only going back to read them all after finishing the whole book.
I might recomm...more
OMG, one of my earliest memories is of Mom taking me to the library in Newark, DE, or somewhere up there I guess :) It was a HUGE place, filled with light, & books that went on for what to my young & amazed eyes seemed like MILES. This was either the one I was allowed to check out, or one of the books I was allowed to check out. It has stuck with me ever since. This is a BEAUTIFUL story that every cat lover &/or lover should read. It takes place in Japan, & is the story of an art...more
An extraordinary book with profound spiritual insight which most reviewers fail to see. The story is structured around tales from the Buddha's life which determine the animals the artist chooses to paint. However, the intense meditation and insight which the artist achieves as he meditates on Buddha's life is the true heart of this story. After living so intensely with the Buddha while painting, the artist makes a sacrifice worthy of the Buddha: he gives up his own hope of success and fame to br...more
Interesting, funny, and not at all sweet. It read surprisingly modern--I wouldn't have been surprised to find it was written decades later; this one is probably an easier "sell" to kids than most of the early Newberys.
Oct 11, 2012
Ann Carpenter
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical,
newbery
My first real miss of the Newbery canon that I've been reading. All of the other books so far I've been able to appreciate what the committee saw in the book to have honored it. But this one just leaves me cold. I didn't think the prose was particularly spectacular. I didn't think the setting was particularly stellar. It gives a generic "Asian" setting, but I don't think it felt exclusively Japanese, other than the one offhand comment about samurai. Also, the title is not very culturally accurat...more
Based on the lore surrounding Siddhartha/Buddha and featuring a poor Japanese artist, a landlady (who seems more like his mother), and a stray cat, which proves to be "other-worldly," this Newbery Winner from 1931 is "enchanting." While the plot combines the reality of extreme poverty--especially for artists--and the fantasy of a cat who wants to be included in all aspects of life--and the hereafter--, it does so in a kind and multi-genre way as the landlady's poetry offsets the prose of the nar...more
I loved the darling little cat in this book. Its personality was so charmingly and sweetly drawn by the artist, it made me want to go out and get a cat :) of course, how could you know if it would have the wonderful disposition of this one? hmmmmmm . . .
I found the illustrations fascinating. The picture that accompanies the first "Song of the Housekeeper" shows a tired and work-worn woman. Once good fortune falls on the household, her whole demeanor changes, and she is absolutely beautiful in th...more
I found the illustrations fascinating. The picture that accompanies the first "Song of the Housekeeper" shows a tired and work-worn woman. Once good fortune falls on the household, her whole demeanor changes, and she is absolutely beautiful in th...more
Rebecca's Review,
The Cat Who Went to Heaven is about an artist, and a housekeeper, who
___________________________
owns a cat named Good Fortune, they believe in Buddha. Buddha turns out loving cats, and lets them go to heaven!!! The housekeeper rights songs and thats how you know which chapter you are on. The songs are like poems. The eighth song of the housekeeper says, This is too great a mystery For me to comprehend: The mercy of the Buddha Has no end. This is too beatiful a thing To understan...more
The Cat Who Went to Heaven is about an artist, and a housekeeper, who
___________________________
owns a cat named Good Fortune, they believe in Buddha. Buddha turns out loving cats, and lets them go to heaven!!! The housekeeper rights songs and thats how you know which chapter you are on. The songs are like poems. The eighth song of the housekeeper says, This is too great a mystery For me to comprehend: The mercy of the Buddha Has no end. This is too beatiful a thing To understan...more
Aug 21, 2010
Jill
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone
Shelves:
newbery-medal
Not so much...don't know why this was an award winner. Maybe they were using different criteria back then?
I only pulled two useful quotes from this book:
"Only a clear pool has beautiful reflections." (pg. 18)
and for the pure immature amusement of laughing at something taken out of context:
"Holy thoughts are in his mind, heavenly desire,
While I boil his chestnuts, here on my little fire" (pg. 32)
Worst Newbery I've read so far. From other reviews I've read it seems other people really like this b...more
I only pulled two useful quotes from this book:
"Only a clear pool has beautiful reflections." (pg. 18)
and for the pure immature amusement of laughing at something taken out of context:
"Holy thoughts are in his mind, heavenly desire,
While I boil his chestnuts, here on my little fire" (pg. 32)
Worst Newbery I've read so far. From other reviews I've read it seems other people really like this b...more
I ordered this one from the library, not knowing anything about the storyline. This is a tale of a struggling artist, his housekeeper, and a cat interweaved with the artist's imaginings of the life of Buddha and the animals that paid him homage when he died.
Although not a Buddhist, I appreciate how Buddha's virtuous actions connect with my sense of morality, mercy, and grace (which have very Christian foundations). For example, Buddha's fierce love to win his beloved reminds me of God's love fo...more
Although not a Buddhist, I appreciate how Buddha's virtuous actions connect with my sense of morality, mercy, and grace (which have very Christian foundations). For example, Buddha's fierce love to win his beloved reminds me of God's love fo...more
This story was a lovely little folk tale that reminded me of all the best of the Newbery books. A young man has been commissioned by the temple to paint a picture of Buddha as he blesses the animals. He slowly adds animals, telling the tale and the strength of each. Then the artist comes to the cat, an animal which had, by tradition, rejected the Buddha and thus was excluded from heaven. But it is the artist's cat that has inspired him in his work and the artist knows it is the cat's greatest wi...more
Sep 16, 2008
Kayt
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone.
Recommended to Kayt by:
my mother
on my goose.
this is one of the best books in existence
it only takes about an hour to read
but is too worth it to possibly describe.
this is one of the best books in existence
it only takes about an hour to read
but is too worth it to possibly describe.
Ringing in at a slim 88 pages, this is often the book of choice for students assigned to read a Newbery Award Winner.
As for the story... imagine how upset you might be if someone were to hand you a cat to keep when what you need is food to satisfy your hunger? Well, that's just how a poor Japanese painter felt when his housekeeper brought a cat home from the market instead of the expected supper. The cat soon earns the name "Good Fortune" from the artist as he proves himself to be good company....more
As for the story... imagine how upset you might be if someone were to hand you a cat to keep when what you need is food to satisfy your hunger? Well, that's just how a poor Japanese painter felt when his housekeeper brought a cat home from the market instead of the expected supper. The cat soon earns the name "Good Fortune" from the artist as he proves himself to be good company....more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Books: June 2011 - The Cat Who Went to Heaven (1931 Medal Winner) | 48 | 70 | Apr 15, 2012 08:46am | |
| perserverance | 1 | 11 | Dec 08, 2009 05:05pm |
Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth was best known as the author of Away Goes Sally, The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which won the 1931 Newbery Medal, and the four Incredible Tales, but in fact she wrote more than 90 books for children. She was extremely interested in the world around her, particularly the people of Maine, as well as the houses and the surrounding land. She also loved the history and myths of h...more
More about Elizabeth Coatsworth...
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Mar 26, 2013 07:31pm