A four book series around the theme of family.
- The four are forged into a family, escaping the city and finding a new home.
- Jane is rescued, growing the family.
- Alexander leaves his family and finds a new home.
- Jane leaves the woods and finds Mom again.
This theme is tuned perfectly with its audience.
At this age, the kids are realizing their individuality beyond us.
This family isn’t forever.
They will soon explore the outside world,
It won’t be easy —
Dangers lurk, both harsh and soft.
And there are rewards,
To find new friends,
Together create their own new worlds.
At home, the parents prescribe the horizon.
Soon (too soon!) they’ll fly away.
And one day,
Hopefully,
They’ll come home.
~
I came across this series via Le Guin’s No Time to Spare, an excellent collection of blog postings. This highlights my egregious oversight in never reading her before. Hopefully 2023 will be the year to dive into her work.
S. D. Schindler’s illustrations are delightful. It’s a shame that Overdrive only hosts the Catwing audiobooks. Hopefully they’ll get the digital rights in order so they can distribute the written books.
Thankfully, our library has copies of the physical books.