I read this book as a child and am ever so glad that my own children can enjoy it. As a cat lover I greatly appreciate the beatiful and award-winning illustrations. However, the story itself is incredibly moving. I believe the lesson I learned as a child is that animals are very important to our lives and our stewardship of them is a grave responsibility. The artist's relationship with Good Fortune changed his heart and, consequently, his life. The intolerant priest learned to forgive.

This short tale, which won the 1931 Newbery Medal for best contribution to American children's literature, is about a poor artist in Japan who is commissioned to paint a picture of Buddha's death. The story teaches children a little about Buddhism and about the concept of reincarnation. The artist paints pictures of the animals coming to be blessed by Buddha. But, legend said that cats never came. The artist's cat, Good Fortune, wishes to be included in the painting. Finally, the artist relents and Good Fortune dies from joy. But the priests now no longer want the painting since it doesn't agree with legend. The next day, however, they change their minds when a "miracle" occurs. Coatsworth was well-known for her children's stories and this short story is one of the classics of children literature.

I must have read this book when I was less than 10 and I remembered it immediatly as I browsed the children's cat books.
My heart leapt with joy. This book was great. I remember I was so happy at the end. The message is, "Don't trust your preconcieved notions", which is a concept children can't start to understand early enough. The story is sweet and the cat is good and brave. Get this book. I guaruntee satisfaction.

For my book report I read The Wanderers.I learned from this book that you can never judge someone by there looks.In The Wanderers their is a boy that no one likes because of his looks. I thought that this was a good book. I thought this was a good book because it had a lot of exciting things.Some of the exciting things were a village was destroyed and burned, and a dog saved some people.I think this would be a good book to read for a summer reading book!

I would just like to add that the illustrations, by Trina Schart Hyman, are wondrous and glorious and what made me pick up the book in the first place.

I am a connoisseur of children's books, and this is one of my favorites. How I wish it were not out of print; I would make of it a Christmas present to any person (young at heart) I care about. Positive character qualities are lifted up; negative character qualities undergo fabulous transformation. It is a book of mystical Celtic adventures, but also a book about trusting God. If you've got a soft heart for fantasy and for God, you'll love this little volume!

Young Johnny Dunlap does not really have a friend until the strange Dumont family moves to the dilapidated farm near by. This undated fantasy is set in rural New England, detailing the bonds of deep friendship between two boys, one of whom just happens to be a boy only part time...You have heard of Central European tales about werewolves--humans who are forced to turn into beasts of prey at night. In this less dark version, Coatsworth imagines a less frightening, deliberate (for the sheer joy of night running) transformation from child or adult into a FOX by night. Well known to literary audiences for her penchant for small animals, Coatsworth creates an unusual situtation: can a human boy remain best friends with a boy/fox?

Eager to prove his sincere devotion to the queer French Canadian boy, Johnny risks everything to protect him from fox hunters and to reconcile him with his callous father. I leave you to figure out which one on the cover is the werefox. This is actually a cute, light read which emphasizes friendship, loyalty and good relations with parents and neighbors. Short--only 71 pages with many pen and ink illustrations. Fine for imaginative children up to age 12.