Catwings
| Company type | Book series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's literature |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Ursula K. Le Guin |
| Products | Children's picture books |
| Parent | Scholastic (publisher) |
Catwings comprises a quartet of American children's picture books authored by Ursula K. Le Guin and illustrated by S. D. Schindler. These works were published by Scholastic over the period from 1988 through 1999. The narrative centers on kittens born with wings, and the series remained available through Scholastic as of 2015. The inaugural volume shares its name with the series.
In the United Kingdom, the books were issued as two omnibus editions titled Tales of Catwings and More Tales of the Catwings (Puffin/Penguin, 1999 and 2000). Meanwhile, in the United States, a boxed set named The Catwings Collection (Orchard/Scholastic, 2003) brought together all four stories.
Scholastic classifies Catwings within the fantasy genre, targeting readers in grades 2–5 for the first two installments and preK–3 for the latter two, corresponding roughly to children aged 4 to 11 years. The series is cataloged in the Internet Speculative Fiction Database as short fiction and chapbooks. Additionally, Scholastic Book Guides provides an educator’s edition covering one volume.
In 2002 and 2003, Le Guin published digital picture books titled Catwings 5 and Catwings 6, attributed to "Mrs. Katz's First Grade Class."
Approximately ten years following the final volume of the series, Le Guin and Schindler collaborated once more on another feline-themed picture book, Cat Dreams (Orchard/Scholastic, 2009), which features straightforward rhyming text paired with intricate watercolor illustrations.
Catwings
Mrs. Jane Tabby’s four kittens are born with wings that allow them to flee from the perilous urban slums where they originated. Nevertheless, they soon learn that life in the countryside comes with its own difficulties.
Catwings Return
James and Harriet venture back to the city in search of their mother and encounter a frightened black winged kitten who turns out to be their mother’s missing child. Mother Jane opts to remain in the city but entrusts this kitten to James and Harriet, who bring her to the countryside and name her Jane.
Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings
Alexander, a proud young cat, leaves his home to join the catwings family. Through his experiences aiding Jane in finding her voice, he undergoes personal growth.
Jane on Her Own
Jane departs from her rural family setting and returns to urban life, where she and her mother settle with a woman in an apartment.
Publication
Each title was penned by Ursula K. Le Guin and accompanied by illustrations from S. D. Schindler; Schindler’s artwork consistently adorns the covers. The U.S. editions were released by Scholastic, most likely through its Orchard Books imprint.
- Catwings (Orchard Books, 1988)
- Catwings Return (1989)
- Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings (1994)
- Jane on Her Own (1999)
- Tales of Catwings (Puffin Books/Penguin, UK, 1999) – omnibus containing books 1–2
- More Tales of the Catwings (Puffin, 2000) – omnibus containing books 3–4
In May 2003, Orchard/Scholastic reissued all four volumes featuring coordinated cover art under the heading "A Catwings Tale," occasionally presenting titles such as Catwings Return (A Catwings Tale) and Jane on Her Own: A Catwings Tale.
- The Catwings Collection (2003) – boxed set including all four books.
Reception
Kirkus Reviews characterized the initial Catwings installment as "a delightful, though somewhat light narrative," commending Le Guin's cleverness alongside Schindler's intricate illustrations, which are well-suited for young audiences or shared reading experiences. The follow-up volume was recognized for its gentle plot, enhanced by captivating prose and high-quality artwork.
Illustrator
Steven D. Schindler (born September 27, 1952, in Kenosha, Wisconsin) holds a biology degree from the University of Pennsylvania and currently lives in Philadelphia.
By the year 1989, Schindler had contributed illustrations to over 100 publications under various names including S. D., Steven, and Steve. As of 2015, the Library of Congress lists 130 entries attributed to him, encompassing multiple editions. Although primarily an illustrator, he seldom authored his own texts; his sole self-written and illustrated book by 2007 was My First Bird Book (Random House, 1989). Nevertheless, his 2013 picture book Spike and Ike Take a Hike (Nancy Paulsen Books), which he both wrote and illustrated, received positive acclaim and signaled a deliberate move into authorship.
Schindler’s debut illustration project was for The First Tulips in Holland by Phyllis Krasilovsky (Doubleday, 1982), which earned him the 1982 Parents' Choice Award for Illustration. He also provided artwork for If You Should Hear a Honey Guide by April Pulley Sayre (Houghton Mifflin, 1995), honored with a Smithsonian Award for excellence in natural history, as well as Don't Fidget a Feather! by Erica Silverman (Simon & Schuster Children's, 1994), recipient of the 1996–97 California Young Reader Medal.
According to WorldCat, some of Schindler's most widely held titles in libraries include Catwings (1988) along with more recent works such as:
- Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs! by Kathleen V. Kudlinski (Dutton Children's Books, 2005)
- Whittington by Alan Armstrong (Random House, 2005), which features feline characters inspired by folklore
- The Story of Salt by Mark Kurlansky (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2006), detailing the historical importance of salt
- Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline D. Davies (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009), set during Vermont’s inaugural U.S. census
These selections underscore Schindler’s emphasis on educational content and natural history themes within children’s literature.
External links
- Search results: catwings at Kirkus.com (4 reviews)