Kitties, Kiddies and More

After learning that her beloved 17-year-old cat, Sagwa, only had a month to live, best-selling author Amy Tan (“The Joy Luck Club”) had a most amazing dream. As she slept, visions of ancient China filled her head and a story unfolded about how Siamese cats got their distinctive markings.

“The story came to me almost as a whole,” recalls Tan. “Sagwa was really a mutt but looked like a long-haired Siamese cat, so I called her a Chinese cat.” Tan remembered the dream and put it down on paper. “I read it to [Sagwa] and my nieces at the same time. I remembered we were all gathered around in this little cubbyhole, and I told my nieces I had written this story because Sagwa was not long for this world.”

Tan’s story, “The Chinese Siamese Cat,” became a best-selling children’s book illustrated by Gretchen Shields. And Sagwa lived until the ripe old age of 21.

The curious feline is now the star of a new PBS animated series, “Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat,” which premiered last week. Though Tan frequently contributed story ideas, other writers penned the scripts.

Each episode revolves around the independent, high-spirited Sagwa and her familyNfather Baba Miao, mother Mama Miao, mischievous older brother Dongwa and baby sister SheegwaNand her best friend, a bat named Fu-Fu.

Sagwa and her family don’t resemble the lushly rendered characters in the book. “We had to simplify the characters in a way that was reproducible” for series animation, explains Tan.

Among the series’ educational goals is fostering an appreciation of other cultures by exposing children to traditional Chinese culture, including the arts, holidays and family traditions.

To kids, “stories about culture seem to beN’Oh, these are about other people,’ ” says Tan. “Whereas when you have a cat character, it is easier for a kid to say, ‘That’s me.’ We happen to be in ancient China, but they identify with the characters. It is not about watching ‘others,’ it is about watching themselves in a character that resonates with them.”

“Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat” airs weekdays at 6:30 a.m. on KCET, 3 p.m. on KOCE and 4:30 p.m. on KVCR. The network has rated it TV-Y (appropriate for all children).

Other new series include:

ABC

“Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action”: The popular teenage twins headline their first animated series. Saturdays. Oct. 20.

Cartoon Network

“Justice League”: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern, the Flash and Hawkgirl battle evil in this new animated series. Mondays. Special Saturday premiere, Nov. 17.

Disney Channel

“Stanley”: Based on the children’s book series, this animated, interactive show features an imaginative 6-year-old who is wild about animals. Daily. This Saturday.

“The Proud Family”: Animated sitcom about the adventures and misadventures of a 14-year-old African American girl. Fridays-Sundays. Sept. 21.

Fox Kids “The Ripping Friends”: From John Kricfalusi, creator of “Ren & Stimpy,” comes this animated story about four heroes whose mission is to “rip” anything that stands in the way of freedom and goodness. Saturdays. This Saturday.

“Alienators: Evolution Continues”: Based on the summer comedy “Evolution,” this animated sci-fi farce picks up where the film left off. Saturdays. This Saturday. WB

“The Nightmare Room”: Live-action anthology based on the newest book series by R.L. Stine. Saturdays. This Saturday.

“Yu-Gi-Oh!”: Japan’s hottest new anime series arrives stateside. Based on the popular comic book series, the animated adventures focus on Yugi, a smaller than average high school student whose grandfather gives him an ancient Egyptian riddle. When he pieces it together, Yugi becomes the powerful alter-ego “Game King.” Saturdays. This Saturday. Nickelodeon

“The Nick Cannon Show”: This series combines real-world adventures with over-the-top kid comedy. Saturdays. Sept. 29.

UPN “Disney’s The Legend of Tarzan”: Animated series based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs adventure classic and the 1999 Disney animated film. Weekdays. Already premiered. (Also in syndication.)