Newbery Medal Winner
The Cat Who Went to Heaven
by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Summary
In this quiet tale set in Japan, a poor artist takes in a small cat while painting a temple picture of the Buddha and the animals who came to honor him. Coatsworth interweaves the gentle narrative with original poems and Buddhist legend, building toward a moment of unexpected grace. The slim book is admired for its lyrical simplicity and its respectful evocation of Japanese spiritual tradition.
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Historical Context & Significance
Coatsworth blended prose with original verse and Buddhist parable, a structure unusual among Newbery winners.