Catwings

Catwings

Author: Ursula K. Le Guin

Illustrator: S. D. Schindler

Genre: Fantasy (Animal)

Major Awards: None

Grade Level: 1-5

Summary: This book is the first in a series of four other Catwings books. The book starts by introducing Mrs. Jane Tabby, the mother of four kittens who were born with wings (Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet). It comes time for her to send her four children off to look after themselves because she does not want them to grow up in the dangerous city. After a long journey, they finally made it out of the city into a forest, where they learned how to hunt fish and rats, escaped The Owl, and learned to look after each other in a forest where they didn't feel welcome. One day, though, Harriet ran into a human girl, Susan, who gave her food, and decided to go back the next day. Susan and her brother, Hank, watched the cats, fascinated that they could fly. They slowly earned the kittens' trust and the kittens finally felt at home.

Evaluation: I personally did not like this book, but I do think that children would enjoy reading so it is definitely one I would consider having in my classroom library. 

This book is good for students who are trying to advance themselves in reading if they are young (first grade), and can be an independent reader for older students. It is also good for a range of ages and grade levels because it encourages students to use their imaginations to escape to another world. The illustrations help the students picture the story, but a lot can also be left to their own creative thinking.

I do not think I would use this as a whole class lesson, but if a child wanted to choose this book to read on their own I think it is a good selection. I would probably suggest it to students who like animals or who are just entering into the world of fantasy books.