Sagwa, You're my Best Friend

Amy Tan's delightful story of Sagwa (meaning Melon Head in Chinese) the Chinese Siamese cat is a treat both you and any child you read it to will love. Tan chronicles the tale of Sagwa, whose mother has told her that she is descended from the great Chinese cats of yore. The plot of the story is that the Foolish Magistrate, who has horrendous rules for his kingdom, is stressing the peoples of his land with the ridiculous rules, such as no singing at all in the land.

As it happens, Sagwa, the sly kitten, sees an ink bottle on day alongside the rules that the Magistrate has set out to be delivered to the people. She puts her paws in it and steps on the words "no" of the rule There must be no singing until sundown. Hence, the newly edited rule: There must be singing until sundown. Unbeknownst to the Magistrate, he sends the scroll out to the people, who are delighted that they new rule is to sing until sundown.

When the Magistrate hears the people of the land singing, he is shocked and gets very mad. But when he realizes they are singing words in praise of him, a tear comes to his eye. From then all, indeed, there must be singing in the land until the sun goes down.

Tan, known for her famous title The Joy Luck Club, a novel for adults that was made into a film, writes with true wit and observation. With gorgeous illustrations by Gretchen Schields, this book is a surefire charmer and would make a great holiday gift for children and children-at-heart on your Christmas list. Also PBS has a daily animated series called Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese cat that airs at 6:30 am each weekday morning on KCET. It is interesting to see the character of Sagwa, her friends Dongwa and Sheegwa, and the Magistrate and people come to life in technicolor!