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weboury's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this book years ago, when I had recently turned 11. I was bought the book as a birthday present, and I haven't regreted it since then.
It's a beautiful story with amazing characters and great stories. I was really moved by this book when I was a child. Now that I'm a bigger child, I still get a warm feeling in my chest when I think of it.
It's a beautiful story with amazing characters and great stories. I was really moved by this book when I was a child. Now that I'm a bigger child, I still get a warm feeling in my chest when I think of it.
schmoterp's review against another edition
2.0
I actually kinda want to get this 1-star but am giving a little credit for being ignorant to Buddhism. The Cat Who Went To Heaven seems to be the Hindu equivalent to the Christian parable/teaching that what we do to the least of our people, we do onto Christ. I am left unimpressed and still questioning the integrity of the Newbery Medal. This is the second Newbery Medal book I've read during the first few years and neither have given me a sense of quality children's literature. I am particularly surprised that a book so heavy on eastern religion would have been considered the gold standard for children's literature in 1931.
I was also surprised at the ending. Christian's believe in the divine ability of miracles and that the unexplainable can be experienced; but I thought Buddhism was different. Again, I claim no true studied knowledge on the subject. I did not get much out of this and would not recommend it to anyone.
I was also surprised at the ending. Christian's believe in the divine ability of miracles and that the unexplainable can be experienced; but I thought Buddhism was different. Again, I claim no true studied knowledge on the subject. I did not get much out of this and would not recommend it to anyone.
cpoole's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a bit biased. I'll adore any book with Asian influence, a cat, and Buddhism. Though, I don't know many children these days who would be entertained with [b:The Cat Who Went to Heaven|200362|The Cat Who Went to Heaven|Elizabeth Coatsworth|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1172629048s/200362.jpg|821853].
Coatsworth, Elizabeth J, and Lynd Ward. The Cat Who Went to Heaven. New York: The Macmillan Co, 1958. Print. 62 p.
(Originally published in 1930)
1931 Newbery Award Winner
When a cat named Good Fortune comes into the lives of a poor Japanese artist and his old housekeeper, their circumstances begin to change for the better. The artist is soon visited by a village priest and invites him to create a painting of the Buddha's death to hang in the temple. The artist meditates on the life of Buddha for three days while preparing to create his art. The artist imagines the beings which have appeared in the Buddha's life. A snail, an elephant, a dog, a horse, deer, and buffalo all appear in his painting. Good Fortune, each day, looks at the painting forlornly when she realizes there is no place for the cat in this holy painting, as cats are legendarily “proud and self-satisfied” (pg 66). However, upon getting to know his new companion, the artist decides to include the cat in his art. The outcome is miraculous. Readers will be exposed to Eastern culture and influences in this fable.
Coatsworth, Elizabeth J, and Lynd Ward. The Cat Who Went to Heaven. New York: The Macmillan Co, 1958. Print. 62 p.
(Originally published in 1930)
1931 Newbery Award Winner
When a cat named Good Fortune comes into the lives of a poor Japanese artist and his old housekeeper, their circumstances begin to change for the better. The artist is soon visited by a village priest and invites him to create a painting of the Buddha's death to hang in the temple. The artist meditates on the life of Buddha for three days while preparing to create his art. The artist imagines the beings which have appeared in the Buddha's life. A snail, an elephant, a dog, a horse, deer, and buffalo all appear in his painting. Good Fortune, each day, looks at the painting forlornly when she realizes there is no place for the cat in this holy painting, as cats are legendarily “proud and self-satisfied” (pg 66). However, upon getting to know his new companion, the artist decides to include the cat in his art. The outcome is miraculous. Readers will be exposed to Eastern culture and influences in this fable.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
I read this lovely book on this hot August afternoon. It's a bittersweet tale of an artist, a cat and the life of Buddha.
kaylana's review against another edition
4.0
A very cute story that introduces some fables from Buddhism. My son really enjoyed it.
margardenlady's review against another edition
5.0
I have no idea whether the teachings of buddha are accurate, but this is a lovely tale of artistry and redemption.
triscuit807's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a sucker for animal stories; add a well researched cultural background, and I'm hooked. This is the story of a poor Japanese artist and his housekeeper, and the cat she brings into their lives. I found it a beautiful and haunting fable. I read this for my 2018 Reading Challenge and for my Newbery Challenge (Medal 1931)
(Spoilers)
Because cats did not adore Buddha, they were considered evil and possibly demonic. This cat, though, is most uncatlike, first by not being food acquisitive, then seeming to pray to Buddha each morning. The artist wins a temple commission to paint Buddha's death and meditates on each portion he is going to paint. The stories of the animals were drawn from the Jakata tales (stories of the Buddha in animal incarnation) and are beautifully re-told. In the end the artist includes the cat at Buddha's funeral, much to the dismay of the priest. The painting must be destroyed. Then there is a miracle.
(Spoilers)
Because cats did not adore Buddha, they were considered evil and possibly demonic. This cat, though, is most uncatlike, first by not being food acquisitive, then seeming to pray to Buddha each morning. The artist wins a temple commission to paint Buddha's death and meditates on each portion he is going to paint. The stories of the animals were drawn from the Jakata tales (stories of the Buddha in animal incarnation) and are beautifully re-told. In the end the artist includes the cat at Buddha's funeral, much to the dismay of the priest. The painting must be destroyed. Then there is a miracle.
everydayreading's review against another edition
3.0
Oh, how the Newbery has changed, hasn't it?
Also, this book was 74 pages. And included several full page illustrations. I read it in about 30 minutes.
Also, this book was 74 pages. And included several full page illustrations. I read it in about 30 minutes.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
4.0
When his housekeeper brings home a cat, a long-ago Japanese artist is unimpressed. To his mind, cats are goblins and devils who may kill human beings in their sleep! When he realizes she is a three-color cat, however, he sees that Good Fortune, as she is named, may bring him good luck. As the housekeeper observes the cat's influence on the household, the artist works on a commissioned painting of Buddha for the local temple, adding one at a time each animal that paid homage to Buddha during his life. Only the cat is missing from the piece, as the cat was too proud to worship Buddha - but perhaps the artist might be able to redeem this stubborn animal and help her get to heaven after all.
This novella-length Newbery-medal-winning tale is an engaging way to introduce young readers to the work of an artist, to the life of Buddha, and to the legends associated with Buddha and various animals. Though I typically have reservations about books suggesting that animals go to heaven, it didn't bother me as much in this context, since the idea is presented within the belief system of Buddhism, and in a format that reads very much like a folktale.
My favorite aspects of the book are the housekeeper's "songs" at the start of each chapter, which are short poems sharing her insights into the artist's relationship with Good Fortune and his progress on his painting, and the artwork itself, created by Lynd Ward. I love the contrast between the orange ink drawings depicting the artist himself and the colorful paintings depicting each animal the artist adds to his canvas. Both the "songs" and the art add dimensions to the main text that give the book a lot more weight than its slim 63 pages might appear to carry.
I imagine this book is a big hit with cat lovers, but even I, a non-animal person, was able to see the value in it. The writing is very precise and engaging, with no extra words or superfluous descriptions, and the structure of the story feels very satisfying all the way to the end. I haven't read this book with my kids just yet, but I look forward to experiencing it again with them to see how they react to it.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
This novella-length Newbery-medal-winning tale is an engaging way to introduce young readers to the work of an artist, to the life of Buddha, and to the legends associated with Buddha and various animals. Though I typically have reservations about books suggesting that animals go to heaven, it didn't bother me as much in this context, since the idea is presented within the belief system of Buddhism, and in a format that reads very much like a folktale.
My favorite aspects of the book are the housekeeper's "songs" at the start of each chapter, which are short poems sharing her insights into the artist's relationship with Good Fortune and his progress on his painting, and the artwork itself, created by Lynd Ward. I love the contrast between the orange ink drawings depicting the artist himself and the colorful paintings depicting each animal the artist adds to his canvas. Both the "songs" and the art add dimensions to the main text that give the book a lot more weight than its slim 63 pages might appear to carry.
I imagine this book is a big hit with cat lovers, but even I, a non-animal person, was able to see the value in it. The writing is very precise and engaging, with no extra words or superfluous descriptions, and the structure of the story feels very satisfying all the way to the end. I haven't read this book with my kids just yet, but I look forward to experiencing it again with them to see how they react to it.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
kazemiko's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book because a friend recommended it to me. She said it was one of her favorite books to read as a child, so of course I was interested in reading it myself. I understand why she likes it as much as she did then and does now. The story is cute. I enjoyed how almost...sentient the cat was when it came to certain things, such as how she reacted to the various animals in the painting.
The tale of the cat's own folly made me think of Natsuki Takahashi's Fruits Basket series and how the cat spurned God by not attending a banquet and thus got himself banned from being part of the Zodiac. Perhaps Natsuki picked up some inspiration from this novel?
I took the last star off because it was far too short for my taste and when I got the book it was damaged. I'm glad I read it though.
The tale of the cat's own folly made me think of Natsuki Takahashi's Fruits Basket series and how the cat spurned God by not attending a banquet and thus got himself banned from being part of the Zodiac. Perhaps Natsuki picked up some inspiration from this novel?
I took the last star off because it was far too short for my taste and when I got the book it was damaged. I'm glad I read it though.