Module 4 - The Cat Who Went to Heaven

 Courtesy of goodreads.com

Book Summary:    This book is about an artist who is struggling just to live.  His housekeeper spends their last bit of money on a cat.  The artist isn't happy about it, but eventraully agrees with the housekeeper that they have been lonely and they decide to name the cat Good Fortune.  Things begin to turn around for the artist.  One day a preacher comes and hires to artist to paint a picture of Budda to hang in the temple.  The artist paints Budda and begins to add the animals from Budda's life except for the cat.  The cat is denied entrance to Paradise.  After continually leaving the cat off, the artist eventually adds the cat to the painting.  When the priest sees the cat, he claims he will burn the painting the next day.  By some miracle where the cat was on the painting, the cat has disappeared and the silk is clean.

APA Reference:

Coatsworth, E. (1958). The cat who went to heaven. New York, NY: MacMillan Publishing Company.

My Impressions: 
This story reminds me someone struggling with the concept of right and wrong.  The artist struggles with wanting to put a cat in the picture because he thinks the cat seems to be good and knowing he isn't supposed to because cats chose not to pay homage to Budda and are therefore denied entrance to Paradise.  I like that he eventually chooses what he thinks is right.  This is a good book to read.

Professional Reviews:
Commissioned to paint a picture of a dying Buddha, a struggling artist creates controversy when he includes a cat in his painting (Buddhists believe the cat rebelled against Buddha, never received his blessing and therefore cannot enter heaven). Well, wouldn't you know, something extraordinary happens to the painting-proving Buddha thinks cats are just all right with him! This cute fable is a beautifully written, short read, and has many good morals readers will take away. It would definitely suffice as a crash course on Buddha, and would be best combined with a discussion on ancient religions or other cultures.

Professional Review Reference:

Homeschoolbuzz.com. (2006, July 12). Retrieved from http://homeschoolbuzz.com/reviews.html?content=The-Cat-Who-Went-to-Heaven--1931-Newbery-winner-

Library Uses:  One use for this book would be to show aspects from different religions.  Another use would be showing the importance of animals in specific religions.