Catwings

September 1, 1988
Down an alley in a dumpster, Mrs. Jane Tabby gives birth to four kittens. But these are no ordinary offspringeach has a pair of wings. Although Mrs. Tabby is unperturbed by her kittens' appearance, her neighbors are not so charitable; when the kittens are old enough to fly, Mrs. Tabby sends her children out into the world. Because both winged and four-footed creatures mistrust them, the kittens have trouble finding a place to live, but eventually discover a loving home. LeGuin, author of the distinguished Earthsea Trilogy and other books, has written a small gem of a book, with convincing and intriguing characters. Dark watercolor etchings by Schindler further convey the plight of these airborne felines and their seeking of a home. A Richard Jackson Book. Ages 7-10.

Le Guin's unlikely premise--four winged kittens go off into the world to seek their fortunes--takes immediate flight with the author's loving narration. Le Guin has a comfortable down-to-earth voice--in fact, she sounds familiar, like someone you already know. She also has an insider's knowledge of this story, which casts an immediate spell of intimacy. With the deliberate pacing of a poet, Le Guin lingers over significant words and phrases as she constructs her fanciful, yet concretely detailed, cat world. Along with giving each of the four tabbies his or her own personality, she creates a memorable cast of background characters that include a mother tabby, incredulous birds, quiet fish, and the deep-thinking owl. This production is enjoyable and original from beginning to end. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine