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Sagwa
The Chinese Siamese Cat
In ancient China, there lived cats that looked like Siamese cats, without the dark markings, until a naughty kitten, Sagwa, tangles with a Foolish Magistrate, falls into an inkpot, and gives Siamese cats their unique coloring.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
7 people are currently reading
1533 people want to read
About the author
Amy Tan
100 books11.2k followersAmy Tan (Chinese: 譚恩美; pinyin: Tán Ēnměi; born February 19, 1952) is an American writer whose novels include The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish From Drowing, and The Valley of Amazement. She is the author of two memoirs, The Opposite of Fate and Where the Past Begins. Her two children’s books are The Chinese Siamese Cat and The Moon Lady. She is also the co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of The Joy Luck, the librettist of the opera The Bonesetter’s Daughter, and the creative consultant to the PBS animated series Sagwa the Chinese Chinese Cat.
Tan is an instructor with MasterClass on writing, memory and imagination. She is featured in the American Masters documentary Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir. She was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and recently received the National Humanities Medal. She serves on the board of American Bird Conservancy.
Her forthcoming book The Backyard Bird Chronicles began as a journal in 2016, when she turned to nature for calm. She also began taking drawing classes with John Muir Laws (The Laws Guide to Nature Journaling and Drawing, and The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds). During the pandemic shutdown, she drew birds only in her backyard, documenting behaviors she found puzzling. Over time she identified 64 species of birds that have visited her backyard in Marin County. By 2022, she had more than nine journals of sketches and notes, which her editor at Knopf suggested she publish. The book, which will be released in April 2024, has already received high praise:
“Much of great writing comes from great interest, and in The Backyard Bird Chronicles, Amy Tan shows us how the world fascinates her, especially the birds. The result is both unexpected and spectacular.”
—Ann Patchett, author of These Precious Days
“What an enchanting and illuminating book! How lucky for us that Amy Tan has turned her genius, her deep empathy and insight, her keen eye for what is telling, to birds. Every page of these chronicles radiates warm curiosity, wonder, and delight.”
—Jennifer Ackerman, The Genius of Birds
“This is one of the most infectious and convincing books about nature I’ve read. For the bird-watcher, the would-be bird-watcher, or for the bird-watching skeptic, this offers great delight and unexpected intrigue. Through Tan’s ecstatic eyes, what could be a dry treatise on ornithological happenings becomes something far more fun and much more profound. It’s really a book about seeing.”
—Dave Eggers, author of Ungrateful Mammals
“Anybody even mildly interested in birds, or thinking about getting interested in birds (which are, after all, the indicator genus for the health of the planet), will want this book perched on their shelf, if only for the gift of Amy Tan’s eye and the example she gives us of how to pay attention. What a treasure.”
—Robert Hass, Pulitzer Prize-Winning author of Summer Snow: New Poems
“Backyard Bird Chronicles is fun reading. It shows how we can become engaged emotionally, literally and artistically with the natural world—to joyfully learn about the most accessible and yet wild animals, the often rare and beautiful birds that choose to come and live near and sometimes with us.”
—Bernd Heinrich, author of Mind of the Raven
“With this book as your guide, embark into the bird world Amy Tan. This is an intimate view, a sort-of love affair with the birds and their behavior, that Amy has come to know over several years. Within the leafy universe of her own backyard, she has quietly beheld, patiently observed, and taken in-depth notations of an extensive array of bird species. In colorful detail, she describes various bird’s behavior, while capturing their beauty in exquisitely rendered illustrations. Species include fearsome predators and watchful prey, long distance migrants and hometown residents. Through her unique insight and gift as an author and
Tan is an instructor with MasterClass on writing, memory and imagination. She is featured in the American Masters documentary Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir. She was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and recently received the National Humanities Medal. She serves on the board of American Bird Conservancy.
Her forthcoming book The Backyard Bird Chronicles began as a journal in 2016, when she turned to nature for calm. She also began taking drawing classes with John Muir Laws (The Laws Guide to Nature Journaling and Drawing, and The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds). During the pandemic shutdown, she drew birds only in her backyard, documenting behaviors she found puzzling. Over time she identified 64 species of birds that have visited her backyard in Marin County. By 2022, she had more than nine journals of sketches and notes, which her editor at Knopf suggested she publish. The book, which will be released in April 2024, has already received high praise:
“Much of great writing comes from great interest, and in The Backyard Bird Chronicles, Amy Tan shows us how the world fascinates her, especially the birds. The result is both unexpected and spectacular.”
—Ann Patchett, author of These Precious Days
“What an enchanting and illuminating book! How lucky for us that Amy Tan has turned her genius, her deep empathy and insight, her keen eye for what is telling, to birds. Every page of these chronicles radiates warm curiosity, wonder, and delight.”
—Jennifer Ackerman, The Genius of Birds
“This is one of the most infectious and convincing books about nature I’ve read. For the bird-watcher, the would-be bird-watcher, or for the bird-watching skeptic, this offers great delight and unexpected intrigue. Through Tan’s ecstatic eyes, what could be a dry treatise on ornithological happenings becomes something far more fun and much more profound. It’s really a book about seeing.”
—Dave Eggers, author of Ungrateful Mammals
“Anybody even mildly interested in birds, or thinking about getting interested in birds (which are, after all, the indicator genus for the health of the planet), will want this book perched on their shelf, if only for the gift of Amy Tan’s eye and the example she gives us of how to pay attention. What a treasure.”
—Robert Hass, Pulitzer Prize-Winning author of Summer Snow: New Poems
“Backyard Bird Chronicles is fun reading. It shows how we can become engaged emotionally, literally and artistically with the natural world—to joyfully learn about the most accessible and yet wild animals, the often rare and beautiful birds that choose to come and live near and sometimes with us.”
—Bernd Heinrich, author of Mind of the Raven
“With this book as your guide, embark into the bird world Amy Tan. This is an intimate view, a sort-of love affair with the birds and their behavior, that Amy has come to know over several years. Within the leafy universe of her own backyard, she has quietly beheld, patiently observed, and taken in-depth notations of an extensive array of bird species. In colorful detail, she describes various bird’s behavior, while capturing their beauty in exquisitely rendered illustrations. Species include fearsome predators and watchful prey, long distance migrants and hometown residents. Through her unique insight and gift as an author and
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 7, 2016
I remember seeing the tv show based on this (I think, anyway) when I was a kid and wishing it was on after school so I could watch it. It looked so cute!
This book is just as cute as the series, really - at least the story is. Since I listened to the audio book I have no idea if this is even a picture book (it's pretty short, though, so I'm guessing it is).
Told as a folktale, "The Chinese Siamese Cat" is about a kitten named Sagwa, who caused all Chinese cats after her to have ink-dark markings .
Book written & read by Amy Tan (Phoenix books version).
This book is just as cute as the series, really - at least the story is. Since I listened to the audio book I have no idea if this is even a picture book (it's pretty short, though, so I'm guessing it is).
Told as a folktale, "The Chinese Siamese Cat" is about a kitten named Sagwa, who caused all Chinese cats after her to have ink-dark markings .
Book written & read by Amy Tan (Phoenix books version).
March 13, 2023
Wonderful children's book, captivated my son and daughter both, PBS series was based on book, also a gem.
May 1, 2012
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.
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.
August 4, 2021
This was an adorable children’s book by Amy Tan, one I had never read before, but while my other book was on hold I decided to check it out and listen to it today on my drive. I loved this tiny tale about a spunky mischievous kitten, who after an accident is terrified of the consequence, but the unexpected happens and lessons are learned by all. It was also read by Amy Tan and delightful on audio.
April 30, 2009
2 of my 3 kids loved this book. The same 2 of 3 even love the PBS series which is based upon it. Ironically, the one that is not of the 2 is taking Mandarin. go figure
June 20, 2024
"the truth is, you are not Siamese cats but Chinese cats. as a matter of fact, one of our family's ancestors from a thousand cat lives ago was the famous feline Sagwa of China."
i loved this PBS show when i was younger. adored it. ate it up. i always wished it was on, so my parents often recorded it for me on the DVR to watch after school or on the weekends. but i never got the chance to read the books !! now that i've read the first one, i can still say the story held up beautifully and perfectly. impossibly, i think i love it even more.
Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat is an excellent tale of breaking the rules for good reason and remembering where you come from. i have no words for the illustrations except for magnificent. i love how it's so immersed in Chinese culture with symbols and objects and characters... and the storyline itself is really sweet. overall 10/10, no notes. i highly recommend! ₊˚⊹♡
i loved this PBS show when i was younger. adored it. ate it up. i always wished it was on, so my parents often recorded it for me on the DVR to watch after school or on the weekends. but i never got the chance to read the books !! now that i've read the first one, i can still say the story held up beautifully and perfectly. impossibly, i think i love it even more.
Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat is an excellent tale of breaking the rules for good reason and remembering where you come from. i have no words for the illustrations except for magnificent. i love how it's so immersed in Chinese culture with symbols and objects and characters... and the storyline itself is really sweet. overall 10/10, no notes. i highly recommend! ₊˚⊹♡
April 27, 2022
This was a cute short story! I love how the kitties actually end up bringing the kingdom happiness through Sagwa's extra ink. It's definitely a story I'd share with my kids.
July 21, 2020
*Read for the 2020 Reading Rush challenge of: Read a book that inspired a movie you've already seen
As a PBS kid, I really loved watching Sagwa. It was for sure one of my favorites in the line up (after Zoom of course). I never realized it was based on this book, but I found it while surfing through Libby looking for something to read. It's basically a story about how Siamese cats got their dark faces and paws and was every bit as cute as the show was.
As a PBS kid, I really loved watching Sagwa. It was for sure one of my favorites in the line up (after Zoom of course). I never realized it was based on this book, but I found it while surfing through Libby looking for something to read. It's basically a story about how Siamese cats got their dark faces and paws and was every bit as cute as the show was.
January 16, 2020
I remember as a little kid there was a TV show on PBS kids called "Sagwa The Chinese Siamese Cat" & now that I am much older who would of thought that the book was the start of the show. I really enjoyed the book as much as the show. It's definitely a must read & a show to watch.
May 2, 2023
As a cat owner of 4, I knew I had to read this book. Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat by Amy Tan is an adorable folklore children's book that tells the story of a mischievous Chinese Siamese cat named Sagwa. Readers get to learn the origin story of Siamese cats and their distinctive coat. Sagwa is an all-white cat who lives with a greedy and foolish magistrate known for his restrictive rules over his subjects. When the magistrate creates a ridiculous decree forbidding anyone to sing until the sun sets, Sagwa takes matters into her own paws. Using her mischievous nature and resourcefulness, Sagwa alters the decree using ink and inadvertently brings the magistrate and his people together, however, Sagwa was left with ink marks staining her coat.
Tan's writing combines elements of folklore, humor, and a message of unity, culminating in a heartwarming story that teaches valuable lessons. Through Sagwa's experiences, children can learn about elements of Chinese culture, the importance and communication, and the impact of one's actions on others. This book is overly bias-free as the author, Amy Tan, is of Chinese ethnicity; both of her parents were Chinese immigrants. The illustrations and language in the book also depict elements of Chinese culture.
Overall, Tan's storytelling skillfully weaves together elements of culture, history, and humor to create a timeless and enjoyable story for children and adults alike. I loved reading this book especially because of the beautiful and detailed illustrations on each page! But I also loved the adorable story behind the markings of Siamese cats.
Tan's writing combines elements of folklore, humor, and a message of unity, culminating in a heartwarming story that teaches valuable lessons. Through Sagwa's experiences, children can learn about elements of Chinese culture, the importance and communication, and the impact of one's actions on others. This book is overly bias-free as the author, Amy Tan, is of Chinese ethnicity; both of her parents were Chinese immigrants. The illustrations and language in the book also depict elements of Chinese culture.
Overall, Tan's storytelling skillfully weaves together elements of culture, history, and humor to create a timeless and enjoyable story for children and adults alike. I loved reading this book especially because of the beautiful and detailed illustrations on each page! But I also loved the adorable story behind the markings of Siamese cats.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2019
Remember that PBS Kids show Sagwa: The Chinese Siamese Cat? I was convinced that I’d hallucinated it or something for years, because I couldn’t find any record of it. Well, it’s real, and based on this charming story. Cats who can write are an endearing conceit.
July 6, 2022
A very cute modern legend. Until recently, I had no idea that the show I loved as a child was inspired by a book by Amy Tan. I’m happy to learn that the book is as delightful as my memories of the show.
January 9, 2019
Especially for cat lovers! A sweet short story about an errant kitten.
June 10, 2023
A childhood favourite I love everything about this book <3
May 30, 2017
3.5 stars. Beautiful book, cute story. I loved the Sagwa show on PBS when I was younger, I had no idea it was based on a Tan story! I was very excited to come across this.
January 30, 2015
Ming Miao explains to her four kittens how Siamese cats got their dark tails, ears, noses, and paws. It is all do to a curious little white kitten named Sagwa who lived in a grumpy magistrate's house in China. She accidentally fell into an ink well, changed a law, brought healing to a land, and helped the magistrate see the error of his ways.
This reads like a Chinese addition to Kipling's Just So Stories in that it somewhat ridiculously explains how an animal came to look a certain way and has a moral lesson as well. The illustrations are very bright and colorful, but on some pages they almost seem too busy. (Of course, some traditional Chinese art and decor looks similar so I can't fault the artist for not making it feel authentic.) It is a cute story about a curious cat. And a nice multicultural addition to any library. I would probably mix in a lesson on how Siamese cats really get their coloring just to clarify for little kids. (It is based on temperature of the area at time of fur growth...the paws, tail, etc are the areas that get the least blood flow and thus are cooler and grow in a different color...sorry, the former Biology teacher in me just crept out there.)
This reads like a Chinese addition to Kipling's Just So Stories in that it somewhat ridiculously explains how an animal came to look a certain way and has a moral lesson as well. The illustrations are very bright and colorful, but on some pages they almost seem too busy. (Of course, some traditional Chinese art and decor looks similar so I can't fault the artist for not making it feel authentic.) It is a cute story about a curious cat. And a nice multicultural addition to any library. I would probably mix in a lesson on how Siamese cats really get their coloring just to clarify for little kids. (It is based on temperature of the area at time of fur growth...the paws, tail, etc are the areas that get the least blood flow and thus are cooler and grow in a different color...sorry, the former Biology teacher in me just crept out there.)
January 17, 2023
As a child I enjoyed Ms. Tan's ''The Moon Lady'' children's book, with beautiful illustrations by Ms. Gretchen Schields. Many years later and about 10 years post the demographic I enjoyed the Sagwa, The Chinese Cat animated series on PBS Kids Sprout. When I learned it was based on a book I knew I had to read it! I highly recommend the audiobook version as narrated by Ms. Tan as she has such a sweet and warm voice, perfect for storytelling. The audiobook was only 19 minutes, but the story itself was told from the POV of a one of Sagwa's descendants and it was such a sweet story about an kitty who was not only curious and silly but smart and brave and she in her own way she stood up the Magistrate and managed to fill his heart with kindness. I recommend this one for kids and adults as well. A great story to read with the young ones!
February 18, 2017
This book was adorably charming. It's about a cat so of course it's charming. The artstyle was fantastic, and the plot complex yet simple. There is a very important political theme to this, one that I think that current politico-s should take a lesson from. This should be easy enough for an advanced 2nd grader or a struggling 3rd grader. Don't let them miss out on it.
Cheers!
Cheers!
April 25, 2019
Loved the Sagwa tv show when I was a kid, and found out there was a book! The illustrations are exquisite and I adore the fact that a children's tv show came out of such an imaginative story.
December 1, 2022
I used to watch this show any time it was on when I was a child, so it's nice to get a chance to read what it's adapted from. It's honestly very sweet.
February 7, 2022
This book is the basis for one of the children's shows I used to watch even though I was almost too old to be watching it. As a result I chose maybe I should read it so that way I could see where the differences may lie while . Instead I must say I'm really impressed with how much the television show reflects this origin tale.
First of all the story starts rather differently as a mother cat prepares her kittens for their grown-up adventures via telling them their past. And in events foreshadowing the story one naughty little kitten is having too much fun to actually be paying attention as she tries to catch a dragon-looking lizard.
Reader are introduced to the world of the Miao family including Sagwa. Here one of the main differences between the two is that Sagwa is a rambunctious and rather curious kitten while in the series she acts more mature nor is she truly seemingly as klutz either. Neither do the names seem to have any actual weight to them in the series although if it was brought up I did miss that episode.
Meanwhile the writing is rather lengthy so would make for a better older book for elementary children although the illustrations are everything. Brightly colored, detailed and full of cultural trivia they completely add to the whole overall picture. But the reader should be aware the portrayal of actual characters may be politically incorrect although I am not sure it was meant to be offensive at the time since other characters don't really seem out of place.
Finally one last note to me this story seems to be one of the various re-tellings of some of the European fairy tales I am familiar with. Is this what Amy Tan meant by writing this story and making it part of her cultural background or is it just a mere coincidence?
Collectively the story was fun and interesting while I enjoyed following Sagwa's escapades since they reminded me so much of my own little fuzzy butt. Children will find it amusing and enjoy getting to know this bold little kitty as she helps to change the world by making it a better place.
First of all the story starts rather differently as a mother cat prepares her kittens for their grown-up adventures via telling them their past. And in events foreshadowing the story one naughty little kitten is having too much fun to actually be paying attention as she tries to catch a dragon-looking lizard.
Reader are introduced to the world of the Miao family including Sagwa. Here one of the main differences between the two is that Sagwa is a rambunctious and rather curious kitten while in the series she acts more mature nor is she truly seemingly as klutz either. Neither do the names seem to have any actual weight to them in the series although if it was brought up I did miss that episode.
Meanwhile the writing is rather lengthy so would make for a better older book for elementary children although the illustrations are everything. Brightly colored, detailed and full of cultural trivia they completely add to the whole overall picture. But the reader should be aware the portrayal of actual characters may be politically incorrect although I am not sure it was meant to be offensive at the time since other characters don't really seem out of place.
Finally one last note to me this story seems to be one of the various re-tellings of some of the European fairy tales I am familiar with. Is this what Amy Tan meant by writing this story and making it part of her cultural background or is it just a mere coincidence?
Collectively the story was fun and interesting while I enjoyed following Sagwa's escapades since they reminded me so much of my own little fuzzy butt. Children will find it amusing and enjoy getting to know this bold little kitty as she helps to change the world by making it a better place.
June 24, 2025
Amy Tan, best known for her huge epic tomes about Chinese Americans, can also write a pretty cool kid's book. This is a tale told by a mother Siamese cat to her kittens ... even though one is clearly not paying attention. I couldn't help but wonder if that kitten was somehow Amy Tan.
I really enjoyed the story about the Chinese ancestors of all Siamese cats ... even though they're really Chinese. The moral of the story is that one person, or one cat, can change the world.
Although it's an enjoyable story, I do have problem with the moral ... because it really isn't true. In order to "change the world" a whole series of events need to occur, as well as the cooperation of the general population.
BUT ANYWAY
The full color watercolor-like artwork by Gretchen Shields is drop dead gorgeous. There are stunning details, such as a little black dog shown in two of pages. When the dog is shown sitting, the dog sits with one hind leg sticking out -- you know, the way many dogs really sit? When a kitten is, in the text, chasing a lizard, in the illustration, the lizard is actually a Chinese dragon.
It's little details like this that make the book rise above the ordinary children's book.
Apparently, there was a PBS animated series based on this book, but I haven't seen it, so I dont know how it compares.
I really enjoyed the story about the Chinese ancestors of all Siamese cats ... even though they're really Chinese. The moral of the story is that one person, or one cat, can change the world.
Although it's an enjoyable story, I do have problem with the moral ... because it really isn't true. In order to "change the world" a whole series of events need to occur, as well as the cooperation of the general population.
BUT ANYWAY
The full color watercolor-like artwork by Gretchen Shields is drop dead gorgeous. There are stunning details, such as a little black dog shown in two of pages. When the dog is shown sitting, the dog sits with one hind leg sticking out -- you know, the way many dogs really sit? When a kitten is, in the text, chasing a lizard, in the illustration, the lizard is actually a Chinese dragon.
It's little details like this that make the book rise above the ordinary children's book.
Apparently, there was a PBS animated series based on this book, but I haven't seen it, so I dont know how it compares.
September 24, 2023
When I was a little girl of 13 I got my appendix taken out and had to stay at the hospital for three weeks afterwards, all alone and by myself. One night there was a storm and I was so scared because of the thunder and lightning. I started to cry and I looked over and saw my mom had left my diary and some new books on my desk. One of those books was SAGWA!!! believe it or not Sagwa got me through those lonely nights of being a kid alone and afraid in a hospital. I read the books and also watched the tv show! It was amazing and I was captivated and transported to a whole new world and it all seemed a little less scary. If sagwa could do it so could I!!! Sagwa helped me to be brave in a time where things were bad and now as an adult I’m so happy to see this book has made its way to me again and although I’ve read it and watched the show on pbs, guess what? I now have a daughter and she loves to read and I can’t wait to show her this book. 5 stars for sure!!!!!!
November 19, 2020
This is a short, pleasant little story about Chinese cat family that tells about their history as Siamese cats. It seems that Sagwa didn't pay attention to his Mom Meow or Dad Meow and got himself in trouble by jumping on a paper containing rules thereby changing the rules to "you will sing" from "you won't sing". The result is that these white cats became, what we know today, as the dark brown ears, face and tail of the Siamese Chinese cat.
November 5, 2022
I followed along with the Narrator who is Amy Tan herself!
This is such a feel good story of the Chinese cats and their “history” i remember I use to like the cartoon and did not remember reading the book that inspired it.
I find it funny cause I would watch the cartoon when i was younger and in high school I read The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan and that book became my favorite book… and then later found out the author has been in my life with her stories much younger then then.
This is such a feel good story of the Chinese cats and their “history” i remember I use to like the cartoon and did not remember reading the book that inspired it.
I find it funny cause I would watch the cartoon when i was younger and in high school I read The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan and that book became my favorite book… and then later found out the author has been in my life with her stories much younger then then.
July 2, 2024
This is quite adorable. It’s the story of why Siamese cats have darker spots on their hair, very similar to other children’s books I’ve read on how animals acquired their skin. The story is fun and also gives us something cute towards the end as the Magistrate in the story has a change of heat after Sagwa’s antics. I do believe children will find it emotional and it’s great for vocabulary building.
April 11, 2019
I had to check to see who the author was before reviewing, and was surprised to see Amy Tan! Some of the illustrations feature some pretty stereotypical renditions of Chinese characters (pigtail, prominent teeth), while others are classical in style, so I'd watch out for that... but otherwise, it's a very charming story.
June 16, 2022
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade: 2-4
It’s a great but very false story on how the Siamese cats got their wonderful fur color. And I enjoy parables like this and how they introduce how certain animals got their attributes. It’s completely false but really creative. It can used in a writing prompt wherein a student can make up their own story about how an animal got their wings more or less.
Grade: 2-4
It’s a great but very false story on how the Siamese cats got their wonderful fur color. And I enjoy parables like this and how they introduce how certain animals got their attributes. It’s completely false but really creative. It can used in a writing prompt wherein a student can make up their own story about how an animal got their wings more or less.
July 14, 2025
Sagwa was one of my favorite childhood shows so I was so excited to get the book to read to my toddler son. He loved the story and the beautiful illustrations. I love finding multicultural books that are not anti-Christian. We look forward to reading this book many more times together as we point to all of the beautiful pages!
April 25, 2018
This book infers the importance of different things in the Chinese community, through the lives of the cats. This book could be good to introduce kids to a culture that is different from their own.
Lexile Measures- 850L
Guided Reading- P
Six Traits plus One-Presentation and Word Choice
Lexile Measures- 850L
Guided Reading- P
Six Traits plus One-Presentation and Word Choice
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews