Angel Catbird Sings … Jingles!

Angel Catbird Sings … Jingles!

Today is the release date for Audible Studios adaptation of all three books of Margaret Atwood’s Angel Catbird series. Published in tandem with our campaign, the rousing adventure describes the exploits of a part man – part bird – part cat superhero. Born of the traditional superhero scientific-accident-gone-wrong, Angel Catbird is able to see both sides of the cat-bird dilemma: should I save this baby robin or should I eat it?

The audiobook substitutes jingles for the panels of real-world information that appear in the graphic novels. The jingles use the campy style of ads in the 1940s, and are hilarious and charming renditions of the central messages of the graphic novels, and our campaign. They juxtapose a light-hearted, comic style with serious messages.

“Kitty Needs You to Set Her Right” talks about some of the dangers for outdoor cats. “You Can Help” outlines the ways we can all contribute to the welfare of wild birds. They don’t sound hilarious, but they are!

Have a listen to two of the jingles:


Courtesy of Audible Studios and Margaret Atwood


Courtesy of Audible Studios and Margaret Atwood

In her introduction to the first volume of Angel Catbird, Margaret posed a question. “Why is a nice literary old lady like me—an award-winning nice literary old lady—a nice literary old lady who should be resting on her laurels in her rocking chair, being dignified and iconic—why is such a nice old lady messing around with flying cat-owl superheroes and nightclubs for cat people, not to mention giant rat men?” To read her answer, click here.

We are grateful to Audible Studios and Margaret Atwood for their permission to use these excerpts.