The Cat Who Went to Heaven

Goodreads Synopsis:    In ancient Japan, a struggling artist is angered when his housekeeper brings home a tiny white cat he can barely afford to feed. But when the village's head priest commissions a painting of the Buddha for a healthy sum, the artist softens toward the animal he believes has brought him luck. 

According to legend, the proud and haughty cat was denied the Buddha's blessing for refusing to accept his teachings and pay him homage. So when the artist, moved by compassion for his pet, includes the cat in his painting, the priest rejects the work and decrees that it must be destroyed. It seems the artist's life is ruined as well -- until he is rewarded for his act of love by a Buddhist miracle. 

This timeless fable has been a classic since its first publication in 1930, and this beautifully reillustrated edition brings the magic and wonder of the tale to a new generation of readers.

My Thoughts:

-    The title of this book should have been The Artist Paints with His Imagination. There is a cat, and it has a decent role in the book, but most of the story is about this artist imagining he is different animals.

-    The cat's story is odd yet tender. I was happy and sad for the cat in the end.

-    The book is really short, so that was nice. I hope there are more short Newbery winners.