The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly

by: Luis Sepulved, illustrated by Margaret Sayers Peden

Published by: Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic Press

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Kengah is a gull on a journey to lay an egg where, when hatched, the chick will grow and thrive safely. Zorba, a coal-black cat, is anticipating a month's vacation from his human friend.

But when Kengah's wings are weighed down by an oil slick, she struggles to the nearest port to lay her final egg. Kengah is able to fly to the balcony of a nearby apartment building where she meets Zorba. As Kengah lays dying, Zorba promises three things: that he will not eat the egg, that he will watch over the egg, and that when it's time, he will teach the chick to fly.

Zorba is a cat with a sense of honor and with three cat friends, struggles to learn about gulls so he will be able to keep his promise to the dying gull.

The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly by Luis Sepulved is an extraordinary tale about the lengths a parent will go for a child. It is beautifully written with compassion and humor and proves that when commitment, honor and love are involved, great differences can be overcome. The black and white illustrations are amazing. This is a book for ages 8–11 and one that parents will want to read to and share with their children. This book and its message is so beautiful that it should have a permanent place in that special child's library. I love this book!