Cat Heaven [Hardcover]

Cynthia Rylant (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997 | Age Range: 4 and up | Lexile Measure: 490L (What's this?)

"The way to Cat Heaven is a field of sweet grass, where crickets and butterflies play!"
With a gentle, playful rhyme, Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant explores all the ways our beloved cats enjoy Cat Heaven, as she did for dogs in the bestselling companion book, DOG HEAVEN. Her shining artwork illustrates a world of peace for cats in Heaven, where no tree is too tall for exploring, where there is no lack of angels' laps for sleeping.
If your child wonders where his or her kitty goes after a happy life on Earth, they can rest assured that all cats "know where the angel cats fly. They'll run past the stars and the moon and the sun . . . to curl up with God in the sky."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. Cat Heaven sounds like paradise. A rhyming text describes a realm in which felines are fed from God's countertop, a place where they no longer get stuck in trees because now they can fly. There are thousands of toys, and soft angel laps in which to cuddle. There is even a quiet time to look back on former homes and loving people. The primitive, childlike painting style is similar to Rylant's work in Dog Heaven (Scholastic, 1995). Both books serve the same purpose of comforting anyone mourning a lost pet, but the writing flows more easily and the pictures are more mature in Cat Heaven. The story has spiritualism and reverence but not in a traditional manner. God is depicted as a kindly older man who washes the cats' bowls and "walks in His garden with a good black book and a kitty asleep on His head." His coloring varies from pink to brown to yellowish tan. The visual impact of the book is stunning. Cats of all colors frolic through the exuberantly hued pages. Vibrant yellows, blues, reds, purples, and greens create a feast for the eyes. Even the color of the text changes to contrast with the background. Whether read as a story to younger children or used in a discussion of the nature of heaven with older ones, this deceptively simple, sweet book is rewarding.?Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Every bit as rich in eye-dimming sentiment as Dog Heaven (1995), this will kindle sighs even from the feline-indifferent. Writing in rhyme, Rylant assures readers that all cats already know the way to heaven's yellow door, and once past it will never want for laps, toys, or full kitty dishes. Rylant paints in the same extremely naive style of the first book, with large brushes and bright, opaque colors; heaven is a place with trees and clouds to perch on, fields to leap through--and a garden full of tall flowers, where God walks ``with a good black book [``Garden Tips''] and a kitty asleep on His head.'' Comforting and amiable, this is tinged with gentle humor. (Picture book. 3-6) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Blue Sky Press; 1 edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590100548
• ISBN-13: 978-0590100540
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Death & Dying

More About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 93 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars UPLIFTING AND PERFECT! September 9, 2000

By Marion VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I stood and read through this book in Books A Million and cried my eyes out right there in front of God and everybody, then forked over the full price for the book (which I rarely do---I usually get them here at Amazon discounted). This is the very best book I've ever read on losing a pet. My old cat is 14 years old and just the thought of him being in this "Cat Heaven" made me smile and laugh out loud (after the tears!) I read this to my four year old grandson after he'd lost a kitty and it comforted him, too. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever loved and lost a beloved pet. You will NOT be disappointed!

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to help little ones (and adults) grieve December 20, 2004

By Karen E. Belding

Format:Hardcover

We bought this book when our 19 year old cat Sophie was dying of kidney failure. It was the first time our then-three-year-old son was exposed to death. The book really helped us find a comforting, spiritual but non-religious way of talking about dying. The images of God, angels, and heaven were ones we felt very comfortable with. We still re-read the book 4 years later and talk about Sophie.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy in the midst of tears December 29, 1999

By D. Lindsay

Format:Hardcover

This is a wonderful book to give or to receive when one has lost a special cat. It is a powerful statement that love is indeed stronger than death, and speaks well to both children and adults. It has been a treasured gift to those who have received it, and a comfort in the midst of grief.