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Catwings #1
Catwings
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!
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
About the author
Ursula K. Le Guin
972 books25.8k followersUrsula 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 975 reviews
January 16, 2021
Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin
A sweet short book for juvenile readers about a litter of flying kittens. The author told the story as if cats with wings are the most natural thing one would expect. A pleasant story. It's short enough to keep the attention of very small children and has a happy ending and unobtrusively teaches positive values.
Sweet story
A sweet short book for juvenile readers about a litter of flying kittens. The author told the story as if cats with wings are the most natural thing one would expect. A pleasant story. It's short enough to keep the attention of very small children and has a happy ending and unobtrusively teaches positive values.
The fish in the creek said nothing. Fish never do. Few people know what fish think about injustice, or anything else.
Sweet story
April 11, 2023
THEY ARE CATS THEY HAVE WINGS THIS IS DELIGHTFUL!
Fly my pretty kitties, fly!
But for real, everything Ursula K Le Guin touched was gold, like Midas asking Dionysus for the gift of being an awesome author instead. Aimed at children, this is a bit of a slight story but it just comes alive with such whimsy and wonder in Le Guin’s clever prose. Why do these cats have wings? They just do. ‘Maybe they have wings because I dreamed, before they were born, that I could fly away from this neighborhood,’ the mother thinks, which so perfectly begins this tale about fleeing the dangers of the city only to discover that its a dangerous world everywhere. But this also becomes a warm tale about how just because things are different doesn’t mean they are bad. It’s all just rather fun, having a good sense of justice and compassion folded into this adorable little story while also having wry lines like ‘few people know what fish think about injustice, or anything else.’ But most importantly it is cats. With wings. And it is hard to top that.
For further cute cats from Le Guin also check out her surreal picture book Cat Dreams
Fly my pretty kitties, fly!
But for real, everything Ursula K Le Guin touched was gold, like Midas asking Dionysus for the gift of being an awesome author instead. Aimed at children, this is a bit of a slight story but it just comes alive with such whimsy and wonder in Le Guin’s clever prose. Why do these cats have wings? They just do. ‘Maybe they have wings because I dreamed, before they were born, that I could fly away from this neighborhood,’ the mother thinks, which so perfectly begins this tale about fleeing the dangers of the city only to discover that its a dangerous world everywhere. But this also becomes a warm tale about how just because things are different doesn’t mean they are bad. It’s all just rather fun, having a good sense of justice and compassion folded into this adorable little story while also having wry lines like ‘few people know what fish think about injustice, or anything else.’ But most importantly it is cats. With wings. And it is hard to top that.
For further cute cats from Le Guin also check out her surreal picture book Cat Dreams
September 23, 2020
I read this aloud to my six year old grand daughter.
I don't think it's a spoiler to say it's about a litter of kittens born with wings.
Danica's reaction to the book was, "I really want to be in that book." And she played 'flying kitten' all day, collecting feathers from my moulting chickens and zooming about the acreage with them in her outstretched hands.
A perfect book for her. We have the three sequels, and I expect a similar wonderful reaction from her.
I don't think it's a spoiler to say it's about a litter of kittens born with wings.
Danica's reaction to the book was, "I really want to be in that book." And she played 'flying kitten' all day, collecting feathers from my moulting chickens and zooming about the acreage with them in her outstretched hands.
A perfect book for her. We have the three sequels, and I expect a similar wonderful reaction from her.
April 27, 2018
Catwings is a heartwarming coming-of-age, but contemporary issues and symbolism simmer beneath the surface for those willing to paw their way to greater meaning. In just forty-eight pages, Le Guin's memorable tale of four winged-kittens explores marginalized communities, race, and compassion.
Mrs. Jane Tabby could not explain why all four of her children had wings.
"I suppose their father was a fly-by-night," a neighbor said, and laughed unpleasantly, sneaking round the dumpster.
"Maybe they have wings because I dreamed, before they were born, that I could fly away from this neighborhood," said Mrs. Jane Tabby.
June 27, 2019
I'd read the Earthsea Series (and a few other of Le Guin's books) in high school, but Catwings wasn't on my radar. Le Guin creates a sense of wonder here; there is something very simplistic and charming about this short tale of a litter of kittens born with wings. What's a mother to do? How do other animals react when it's time for the kittens to (stretch their wings and) leave home? What is astonishing about Le Guin is that she creates so many memorable stories that don't seem to have anything to do with each other! Catwings is a quick read that stays with you.
March 1, 2017
Adorable little book. The thing I love about children's books (and by extension, a lot of MG stories) is that they don't tend to spend as much time as YA or adult stories explaining themselves. Like, the kittens were born with wings. How? Who cares? Moving on. And I think that's incredibly important, because the how or the why isn't the point of the story.
February 12, 2017
I loved this book/series so much when I was a child that as an adult I got a tattoo of one of the illustrations. :)
February 23, 2023
Cuento muy cortito menos de 30 páginas sobre unos gatos que nacieron con alas y van a descubrir mundo y llegan a un bosque...
Gustará a los mas pequeños.
Valoración: 6/10 (soy generoso, me gustan los gatos jaaja)
Sinopsis: Nada abre tanto el apetito como volar, así que los cuatro gatitos estaban casi desfallecientes cuando aterrizaron en los bosques.
Quién sabe hasta dónde habían volado desde la ciudad, desde el volquete bajo el que habían nacido. Y en realidad, quién puede saber la razón por la que esos gatos tenían alas para volar. La señora Juana Rayas, su madre, no podía explicarlo, pero cuando la vida en las calles se hizo demasiado peligrosa, ella supo que algún día el sueño que había tenido para sus hijos se haría realidad: su Thelma, su Jacinta, su Rogelio y su Jaime abrirían las alas si hacía falta y volarían lejos, sobre el callejón, sobre los techos, lejos.
Y llego el día y volaron juntos. Pero lo que encontraron los cuatro gatos en los bosques fue al mismo tiempo más terrorífico y más hermoso de lo que había soñado su mamá.
# 6- Un libro con una mascota como personaje. Reto Popsugar 2023
Gustará a los mas pequeños.
Valoración: 6/10 (soy generoso, me gustan los gatos jaaja)
Sinopsis: Nada abre tanto el apetito como volar, así que los cuatro gatitos estaban casi desfallecientes cuando aterrizaron en los bosques.
Quién sabe hasta dónde habían volado desde la ciudad, desde el volquete bajo el que habían nacido. Y en realidad, quién puede saber la razón por la que esos gatos tenían alas para volar. La señora Juana Rayas, su madre, no podía explicarlo, pero cuando la vida en las calles se hizo demasiado peligrosa, ella supo que algún día el sueño que había tenido para sus hijos se haría realidad: su Thelma, su Jacinta, su Rogelio y su Jaime abrirían las alas si hacía falta y volarían lejos, sobre el callejón, sobre los techos, lejos.
Y llego el día y volaron juntos. Pero lo que encontraron los cuatro gatos en los bosques fue al mismo tiempo más terrorífico y más hermoso de lo que había soñado su mamá.
# 6- Un libro con una mascota como personaje. Reto Popsugar 2023
January 18, 2015
Cute purry cats with wings and Ursula Le Guin -- back in 1988, this combination did not really work for me. I was too much in awe of Leguin's mind-expanding stories and her rich humane wisdom to feel comfortable with her as the writer of what is, quite frankly, a rather simplistic children's book.
Parenthood changes many things. I've now found that its very simplicity makes this an excellent read aloud book. True it's not particularly deep, but the fineness of the prose shines through if you give it a chance -- the slower pace of reading aloud makes it easier to appreciate. And the kittens' wings are furry.
Parenthood changes many things. I've now found that its very simplicity makes this an excellent read aloud book. True it's not particularly deep, but the fineness of the prose shines through if you give it a chance -- the slower pace of reading aloud makes it easier to appreciate. And the kittens' wings are furry.
January 13, 2010
It's no secret that I love Ursula K. Le Guin. I decided to read everything by her, so I got these kids books, the Catwings series. This is the first. They have the same solid reality and aching sense of longing that many of her fantasies for adult readers give. These would make a great introduction for any child to UKL's work, but are jewels of great beauty for grown-ups to cherish as well. The idea of cats with wings is so perfect. It just rings true, for some reason. UKL's books always have a sense of rightness about them, like that, that defies explanation. The things she invents feel as though they were discovered and not made up. She shares that quality with Tolkien, and consequently they're the only two fantasy writers I truly love.
I'm brokenhearted today for a completely non-cat- non-wing-related reason, but somehow these charming characters are just what I needed to feed and heal me. I'm taking them tomorrow to someone I dearly love, whom I hope may feel the rush of wings and brush of tail, and be fed and healed as was I.
I'm brokenhearted today for a completely non-cat- non-wing-related reason, but somehow these charming characters are just what I needed to feed and heal me. I'm taking them tomorrow to someone I dearly love, whom I hope may feel the rush of wings and brush of tail, and be fed and healed as was I.
January 13, 2023
What took me so long to read these books? No clue, but they are perfect for my 8 year old. He said they’re great!
Second read (audio) - I found these on Libby through one of my libraries (because I remembered to look for it). While the illustrations are lovely, the audiobook is also wonderful because it’s read by Le Guin herself. The book is so cozy and cute and there’s a little danger, and is couched in Le Guin’s signature style. I wish she’d written more children’s books.
Second read (audio) - I found these on Libby through one of my libraries (because I remembered to look for it). While the illustrations are lovely, the audiobook is also wonderful because it’s read by Le Guin herself. The book is so cozy and cute and there’s a little danger, and is couched in Le Guin’s signature style. I wish she’d written more children’s books.
December 29, 2011
It's a book about cats. With wings. By Ursula Le Guin. Of course I loved it even if I'm about 24 years older than its target audience.
February 25, 2018
Un cuento suuuuuper cortiro al más puro estilo de las fábulas tradicionales.
Entrañable y divertido, los pequeños lo disfrutarán especialmente, y me han encantado las ilustraciones (también muy clásicas).
Entrañable y divertido, los pequeños lo disfrutarán especialmente, y me han encantado las ilustraciones (también muy clásicas).
September 8, 2020
Oh don't mind me I'll just be over here sobbing over the wholesome story of four flying cats being adopted by adorable children written by the grandmother of science fiction and fantasy Ursula K. Le Guin and the fact that my kids want to read "more cat stories."
October 24, 2008
I read this series of short books aloud to my daughter when she was in the first grade. We both were mesmerized by this sweet and subtly deep story about a litter of cats born with wings. There is no magic in these books, and yet they are pure magic. Definitely recommended, and they really kept my attention as well. Subtle lessons about compassion and how different people react to others with unusual traits.
March 1, 2024
(Μέσα από τα μάτια της κόρης μου, στην οποία το διάβασα και μάλλον το ανέχτηκε για να πάει πιο πίσω την ώρα κατάκλισης)
Οι φτερόγατες είναι ένα παραμύθι που έχει περίεργη αρχή (μια μάνα πρακτικά πετάει τα παιδιά της στο δρόμο για να κάνει νέα οικογένεια με καινούργιο γάτο), μέση που δε βγάζει ακριβώς νόημα (ναι, οι διαφορετικοί δεν περνάνε καλά ακόμα και όταν η διαφορετικότητά τους είναι πλεονέκτημα) και απότομο τέλος που σε αφήνει με ένα σωρό απορίες (ναι, χαρήκαμε που βρήκαμε "χέρια" αλλά... τι; Αυτό ήταν; Τα πρώτα "χέρια" που βρήκαμε ήταν τα καλά, τα σωστά; Και γιατί το βιβλίο τελειώνει σαν πόρτα που σου κλείνει στα μούτρα;).
Το δεύτερο αστεράκι υποθέτω ότι οφείλεται εν πολλοίς στην εικονογράφηση (δεν παίρνω και όρκο)
Η δική κου γνώμη δε μετράει. Δεν ήταν για μένα το βιβλίο.
Οι φτερόγατες είναι ένα παραμύθι που έχει περίεργη αρχή (μια μάνα πρακτικά πετάει τα παιδιά της στο δρόμο για να κάνει νέα οικογένεια με καινούργιο γάτο), μέση που δε βγάζει ακριβώς νόημα (ναι, οι διαφορετικοί δεν περνάνε καλά ακόμα και όταν η διαφορετικότητά τους είναι πλεονέκτημα) και απότομο τέλος που σε αφήνει με ένα σωρό απορίες (ναι, χαρήκαμε που βρήκαμε "χέρια" αλλά... τι; Αυτό ήταν; Τα πρώτα "χέρια" που βρήκαμε ήταν τα καλά, τα σωστά; Και γιατί το βιβλίο τελειώνει σαν πόρτα που σου κλείνει στα μούτρα;).
Το δεύτερο αστεράκι υποθέτω ότι οφείλεται εν πολλοίς στην εικονογράφηση (δεν παίρνω και όρκο)
Η δική κου γνώμη δε μετράει. Δεν ήταν για μένα το βιβλίο.
September 20, 2022
This was a Le Guin I missed. . .and so picked it up to see if my reading group would enjoy it. . .it's all about cats.
The idea of catwings was intriguing, but the stories themselves didn't keep me there - my mind wandered. . .a lot.
Because the parents of my reading group all have boxes full of reasons why their offspring cannot have pets, especially cats, I chose not to include it in our chapterbook choices. So many books out there!
I'll find another Le Guin to read with my kiddos. One that won't have them begging for a kitty.
The idea of catwings was intriguing, but the stories themselves didn't keep me there - my mind wandered. . .a lot.
Because the parents of my reading group all have boxes full of reasons why their offspring cannot have pets, especially cats, I chose not to include it in our chapterbook choices. So many books out there!
I'll find another Le Guin to read with my kiddos. One that won't have them begging for a kitty.
November 15, 2023
I enjoyed Catwings as a child and these classic stories continue to amaze me as an adult. First published in 1988, Catwings is a delightfully simple story of friendship, differences and social equality. The illustrations by S.D. Schindler are wonderful companions to words of legendary fantasy author Ursula K. Le Guin.
Favorite Passages
Dedication
To all the cats I've loved before
-U.K. Le G.
Mrs. Jane Tabby could not explain why all four of her children had wings.
"I suppose their father was a fly-by-night," a neighbor said, and laughed unpleasantly, sneaking round the dumpster.
"Maybe they have wings because I dreamed, before they were born, that I could fly away from this neighborhood," said Mrs. Jane Tabby.
_________
"Children, I dreamed a dream before you were born, and I see now what it meant. This is not a good place to grow up in, and you have wings to fly from it. I want you to do that."
_________
A pigeon came swooping up to join them. It flew along with them, peering at them uneasily form its little, round, red eye. "What kind of bird are you, anyways?" it finally asked.
"Passenger pigeons," James said promptly.
Harriet mewed with laughter.
_________
They knew they had come to a much better place than the alley, but they also knew that every place is dangerous, whether you are a fish, or a cat, or even a cat with wings.
_________
"It's absolutely unfair," the thrush cried
"Unjust!" the finch agreed.
"Intolerable!" yelled the bluejay.
"I don't see why," a mouse said. "You've always had wings. Now they do. What's unfair about that?"
_________
Owl is not a quick thinker. She is a long thinker.
_________
He was crouching under the bushes, all scratched and bleeding, and one of his wings dragged upon the ground.
"It was the Owl," he said . . .
_________
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.
_________
"I saw one today," said Harriet.
"What? A Hands? A Shoes?" said Thelma.
"A human bean?" said James.
"A human being?" Roger said.
________
"Mother always said," Thelma remarked, thoughtfully, "that if you found the right kind of Hands, you'd never have to hunt again."
________
"Kitty," Susan said in a soft, high voice. "Kitty kit-kit-kit-kit-kit-cat, kitty cat, kitty-wings, kitty wings, catwings!"
_________
"I will never never never ever catch you, or cage you, or do anything to you you don't want me to do," Susan said to Harriet.
________
"Purr, purr, purr . . ."
"Oh, Hank," Susan whispered, "their wings are furry."
"Oh, James," Harriet whispered, "their hands are kind."
Favorite Passages
Dedication
To all the cats I've loved before
-U.K. Le G.
Mrs. Jane Tabby could not explain why all four of her children had wings.
"I suppose their father was a fly-by-night," a neighbor said, and laughed unpleasantly, sneaking round the dumpster.
"Maybe they have wings because I dreamed, before they were born, that I could fly away from this neighborhood," said Mrs. Jane Tabby.
_________
"Children, I dreamed a dream before you were born, and I see now what it meant. This is not a good place to grow up in, and you have wings to fly from it. I want you to do that."
_________
A pigeon came swooping up to join them. It flew along with them, peering at them uneasily form its little, round, red eye. "What kind of bird are you, anyways?" it finally asked.
"Passenger pigeons," James said promptly.
Harriet mewed with laughter.
_________
They knew they had come to a much better place than the alley, but they also knew that every place is dangerous, whether you are a fish, or a cat, or even a cat with wings.
_________
"It's absolutely unfair," the thrush cried
"Unjust!" the finch agreed.
"Intolerable!" yelled the bluejay.
"I don't see why," a mouse said. "You've always had wings. Now they do. What's unfair about that?"
_________
Owl is not a quick thinker. She is a long thinker.
_________
He was crouching under the bushes, all scratched and bleeding, and one of his wings dragged upon the ground.
"It was the Owl," he said . . .
_________
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.
_________
"I saw one today," said Harriet.
"What? A Hands? A Shoes?" said Thelma.
"A human bean?" said James.
"A human being?" Roger said.
________
"Mother always said," Thelma remarked, thoughtfully, "that if you found the right kind of Hands, you'd never have to hunt again."
________
"Kitty," Susan said in a soft, high voice. "Kitty kit-kit-kit-kit-kit-cat, kitty cat, kitty-wings, kitty wings, catwings!"
_________
"I will never never never ever catch you, or cage you, or do anything to you you don't want me to do," Susan said to Harriet.
________
"Purr, purr, purr . . ."
"Oh, Hank," Susan whispered, "their wings are furry."
"Oh, James," Harriet whispered, "their hands are kind."
April 22, 2023
Four winged kittens set out to find a better place to live than the city. But country life has its challenges, too. Charming illustrations, a storyteller who tells the truth “slant” as Emily Dickinson said, some humor, and a happy ending made a delightful, fabulous story.
4/22/23 — Listened to the audio version pleasingly read by the author.
4/22/23 — Listened to the audio version pleasingly read by the author.
October 18, 2020
Yeah, there's no way in the real world that a litter of kittens is going to be born with four normal limbs and two wings; genetics don't work that way. But, a story about kittens with wings? Awesome. Reality can take a nap.
Library copy
Library copy
January 27, 2015
This cute little story is all about cats. The Winged Cats. What's not to love? <3
April 7, 2017
The first in the series of these early reader books which seem to those 'first chapter' books. The story was quick to read and Schindler's illustrations were absolutely gorgeous. As always, the reader is treated to some wonderful prose by Le Guin and it would be wrong to deny the children reader a chance to explore and enjoy the author's utterly wonderful mastery of word and wisdom. Plus, it has flying cats.
December 11, 2009
Catwings is a sweet little book. I like pretty much everything Ursula Le Guin writes, so it's not surprising that I like her fiction for young children, too. It seems like it'd be pretty good to read aloud, but there are also lovely pictures.
And cats! With wings! Having adventures!
And cats! With wings! Having adventures!
Read
October 9, 2021This is the first time I’ve read a children’s book by Le Guin. It’s obviously nothing like her adult fiction.
It’s hard for me to be objective when it comes to rating children’s literature, as I now lack the perspective of a child.
It’s hard for me to be objective when it comes to rating children’s literature, as I now lack the perspective of a child.
October 7, 2017
Cute illustrations, good writing...but a bit too short and lightweight for my tastes.
October 29, 2021
Remember seeing this book as a kid and thinking it looked weird. It was weird! But also funny, a bit scary, and sweet. Read it aloud to my nieces (ages 6 and 8) and they loved it, though that probably has a little less to do with the quality of the book and a little more to do with the fact that they are cat obsessed gremlins.
February 12, 2024
I will read childrens books if they are 1. By Ursula K. le Guin and 2. about cats
July 2, 2018
Ursula'dan çok tatlı bir çocuk kitabı. Çocuklarınıza hayvan sevgisi aşılamak isterseniz okutabilirsiniz, ayrıca hayal güçlerini de besleyecektir.
January 25, 2018
When we heard that Ursula K Le Guin had died, we could only console ourselves by reading her works. With me that meant picking up Earthsea and its sequels, but we wanted our lads, still a bit tender for those tales, to also share in the glorious words of this phenomenal author. Catwings it was. Pulled from the shelf, we're introducing our small folk to Le Guin's canny, insightful writing. I suggest, if you have small folk, or if you just love cats, that you make the same choice.
March 4, 2015
My daughter brought this home from school, and when I saw who the author was, I was delighted to sit and read this with her. My daughter was equally impressed when I showed her a couple of my books with the same author name upon them.
We sat down and had a great reading session together, and I am now a little more impressed with her school!
We sat down and had a great reading session together, and I am now a little more impressed with her school!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 975 reviews