The Chinese Siamese Cat Audio CD – Unabridged, October 1, 2006

I bought this book specifically bc I loved it so much as a child due to its bold use of color and fantastic illustrations. Although my daughter is only 3 months, she fixates on bold colors so I bought this book to read to her. She loves it, judging by the unbroken stare she gives each page. I love the story also, and maybe my daughter will too when she's old enough to understand words. It's a great story about a scared young kitten who (accidentally at first but then purposefully) reverses the dictates of a tyrannical magistrate. Great stuff.

Why do Siamese cats have dark ears, paws, and tails? Sagwa is a pearly-white Chinese kitten who lives with her parents, Baba and Mama Miao, and her two siblings, Dongwa and Sheegwa, in the House of the Foolish Magistrate, who is in charge of issuing rules for all the people and animals in his province and makes a lot of silly proclamations. One day the Foolish Magistrate writes a decree that no one can sing until the sun goes down. He doesn't see Sagwa perched up high on a shelf. After he leaves, Sagwa decides to do something about it, so she jumps down, lands in the inkpot, and gets ink on her ears, paws, and tail, but she also blots out the word "not" on the paper. When it is read, it will say, "People must sing until the sun goes down." But what will the Foolish Magistrate do to Sagwa and her family when he finds out what has happened? When our boys were young, they occasionally watched the animated PBS series Sagwa. We even used some of the early reading books taken from the television show, which are credited to George Daugherty who produced it. One day while watching a segment with our younger son Jeremy, I noticed that it was based on characters taken from a children's book by Amy Tan, whose name I recognized but had not read any of her books. Tan is well known for her adult novels, such as The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God's Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, and The Bonesetter's Daughter. I like the story of Sagwa because, in addition to being a fun folk-like tale for youngsters, it exemplifies and encourages bravery in the face of injustice. Also, we are "cat people," so it has a special interest for us. Originally published as The Chinese Siamese Cat, some editions are called Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat, most likely due to the popularity of the animated show.

Like many, I bought this book to get the background on Sagwa after watching the TV show. This is a wonderful story, told by the mother cat about her ancestors. It is engaging for both the adult reader and my children. And the illustrations are captivating and complex, yet simple enough that my children always look very closely and study each page. (they are 4 and 3). The illustrations aren't at all like the TV show, and truly I like the book's illustrations better. They are more suited to the story. I also like this book because it presents a story that is different than most silly/giggle books, yet is still very interesting and entertaining for both the adult and children.

I love Amy Tan's adult novels, and my children have all loved the Sagwa cartoon. And yet I have only just now bought this book. The story is told of course in one of the episodes of the cartoon, but it is handled somewhat differently here--the Foolish Magistrate and his wife aren't the same good people as in the cartoon, so there is more depth here. The illustrations are lovely on a level with Ms. Tam's writing--very detailed and almost poetic.

The story is good but not action packed..Emotional contact is slow to develope….

This is a great story about how someone who is selfish and hard-hearted can be won over by others' happiness. Children can identify with the mischievous, inept kitten who inadvertently makes a difference in her community. Its only flaw, as I see it, is that it is a tad too wordy; wish it were more economical in the telling. But it carries an important message: good can flow from accidental errors--the swerve that produces a mighty change.

This is one of my favorite gifts to kids and to families with new babies. Beautifully written by the talented Amy Tan and with stunningly decorated pages/illustrations, the story is full of love, humor and sly wit. A joy to read out loud to kids - and a way to teach boys and girls the joys of reading on their own. I just wish they'd release in hardback again!

I was curious about the title and so I ordered it.I completely enjoyed the cute story and the artful presentation.I want to pass it on the an appreciative child soon, though I will hate to give it up.

Charming, delightful

nice

Here in Germany, the show that came after this book never aired and so I had to order this book from the US and I am very pleased with how fast it came and how lovely that book is! The illustrations are very detailed and the story is lovely. I am in love with this book and the show. Too bad it is completely unknown here.