Sagwa's Storybook World (NR, 2003)

Based on Amy Tan's children's story, SAGWA'S STORYBOOK WORLD features six episodes of the PBS Kids animated series about the titular kitten, who lives with an Imperial Chinese family in ancient China. Each story celebrates Chinese culture: mythological creatures like dragons are described, as are customs, meals and language. Along with Sagwa, the series features her colorful friends and family. Fu Fu, Sagwa's best friend, is a sweet but clumsy bat who wears glasses and forever bumps into walls. Sagwa's Yeh Yeh (her grandfather) walks deliberately and enjoys spinning a tale for his grandchildren. Sheegwa is Sagwa's baby sister who though innocent, is opinionated and sensitive. Cook is a human who somehow understands the language of cats, dropping bits of shrimp into bowls for them as he prepares the Magistrate's meal.

The story behind Amy Tan's children's book is an interesting one. According to pbskids.org, Ms. Tan indeed had beloved a cat named Sagwa, who was diagnosed with a severe illness. The news troubled Ms. Tan, who became very worried about the impending loss of her dear feline friend. One night, she had a vivid dream about Sagwa -- not as a cat who lives in a contemporary American city, but as a kitten among cats living in an Imperial Chinese family in ancient China. When she awoke, she jotted down the dream and was moved enough to mention it to her friend, illustrator Gretchen Schields. Thus the story of Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat was born -- and the real Sagwa was so happy with the story that she lived to a ripe old age.

 

Ms. Tan's passion for her subject is evident in the attention paid to detail and the care with which each character is shaped. Obviously, this series is crafted with love and attention to detail by a master storyteller. This DVD is sure to enrich any home viewing library.

Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: George Daugherty
Cast: Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Oliver Grainger, Peter Shinkoda
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 60 minutes
Theatrical release: January 28, 2003
DVD release: January 28, 2003
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: not rated