Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings

LeGuin, Ursula K. Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings. Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Scholastic, 2003. 42 pages. $4.99. ISBN 9780439551915.

Summary:

Bold and brave Alexander is a well cared for kitten. Ready to seek adventure, he leaves his comfortable home and family to explore: beyond the yard, beyond the fence, and finally into the forest. Alexander becomes lost and is chased up a tall tree by two fierce dogs. In the morning, a strange creature approaches him from the sky, a black cat with wings! She can’t speak like he can, but it’s clear that she’s there to help. She leads him back to her home with the other Catwings. Alexander becomes comfortable and gets to know these new friends. It turns out that there is some mystery about his rescuer, Jane, which is alluded to by the others: she can’t speak as they can and is very fearful of certain things. Alexander misses his own family and hopes that someday he’ll be able to find them again.

Curriculum Connections:

A terrific example of animal fantasy, this book could serve to inspire cat-lovers to explore writing in this genre. LeGuin’s writing and Schindler’s illustrations make it well-suited as an early-grades read-aloud. Chapters are short, but the language and imagination is rich. Though it is short, with illustrations, the sentence structures are often complex and may take a more experienced reader to understand.

Personal Reflections:

This is just the type of animal fantasy book that will inspire creative and imaginative play in young readers and listeners, whether in their own creative writing or out on the playground. Though this is the third book in the Catwings series, it can stand alone.

Awards:

Age/Interest Range:

6-10

Genre/Themes:

Fantasy, Animals

Read-Alikes:

This series is the perfect “bridge” into longer and more complex animal fantasy series like The Warriors (Hunter) or Redwall (Jacques).