Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: The feline characters in this book are cute and cuddly. They exhibit values and behavior that most parents would love to instill in their children. However, a word of caution is necessary because Ms. Shields' illustrations contain images that are stereotypes in the worst way. The portrayal of the Foolish Magistrate in his Manchurian costumes and menacing looks, coupled with the Reader and his long queue, harken back to the days of the "Yellow Peril" hysteria which gripped the country in the early part of the 20th century. These characters are right out of the 1930s "Fu Manchu" era.The book no doubt intended to give young people a portrayal of life in historic China, not America. The problem with that is the costumes and characters are from the Qing Dynasty, an era when China was ruled by an oppressive foreign power. The wearing of queues was mandated as a sign of submission by the Chinese people to their Manchu conquerors. Children who are exposed to these images will see their classmates who are of Asian heritage as "foreigners." Parents who buy this book should be aware that although Sagwa and the other cats have good lessons to teach, the human characters in this work will foster a view of the Chinese and of Chinese Americans that is very unfortunate, as well as inaccurate.
Rating: 
Summary: Shades of Yellow
Review: The feline characters in this book are cute and cuddly. They exhibit values and behavior that most parents would love to instill in their children. However, a word of caution is necessary because Ms. Shields' illustrations contain images that are stereotypes in the worst way. The portrayal of the Foolish Magistrate in his Manchurian costumes and menacing looks, coupled with the Reader and his long queue, harken back to the days of the "Yellow Peril" hysteria which gripped the country in the early part of the 20th century. These characters are right out of the 1930s "Fu Manchu" era. The book no doubt intended to give young people a portrayal of life in historic China, not America. The problem with that is the costumes and characters are from the Qing Dynasty, an era when China was ruled by an oppressive foreign power. The wearing of queues was mandated as a sign of submission by the Chinese people to their Manchu conquerors. Children who are exposed to these images will see their classmates who are of Asian heritage as "foreigners." Parents who buy this book should be aware that although Sagwa and the other cats have good lessons to teach, the human characters in this work will foster a view of the Chinese and of Chinese Americans that is very unfortunate, as well as inaccurate.
Rating:
Summary: Siamese cat lovers....
Review: The most exquisitely illustrated book I've ever owned! A fun, fictitious way to describe how white siamese kittens get their colors.
It's a bit long for a bed time story, but really fun! Kids ages 8 or 9 and up may be able to read it themselves, but the beginners may have a hard time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Little Book
Review: This is a great little story book. I bought this especially for my niece who loves the cartoon. It's a bit long so I read it in installments before her afternoon naps and she loves it and can't wait to hear the other parts. This helps her to look forward to nap times now (phew). Although another reviewer labels it as stereotyped I think it still helps kids to learn of and tolerate lifestyles other than their own. The book does so in a simple way after all it is for kids and at that stage of life it is not harmful as they have more time to get into further details.
| 
