4 out of 4 stars
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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi follows snoopy kitty Inca and her detective agency into Sri Lanka, where they are spending the summer vacation. Here they solve a case of theft in a nearby museum and provide us with a refreshing tale of their adventures.
As this was my first book in the Inca series, the introduction depicting Inca’s family tree and describing each member of her detective agency was very helpful. Being a stand-alone story, this book does not require you to read the previous ones. But after completing this book, I believe you will feel compelled to read every single one of them.
The book uses simple language and short sentences suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years. As it is written in the form of diary entries by the lead detective Inca, we get the story from her point of view. Her descriptions are humorous and add to the charm of the story. The way she often summarizes her thoughts using bullet points is simply adorable.
The story is accompanied by a number of beautifully colored illustrations made by Jorge Valle. These will undoubtedly attract the intended audience. I noticed that although the pictures depict various animals, there is a human-like quality in their expressions that might make them more relatable to the young readers.
The book reminded me of those detective stories with all the detectives in their teens. In fact, the characters of Inca’s detective agency could have easily been replaced with human teenagers. But having kittens and dogs as protagonists has its perks. First of all, they are all so very cute and cuddly! Secondly, they are at an advantage since they can discuss the case and their plans openly in front of everyone and the humans are none the wiser!
What I liked most about this story is that even within a short span, the author has masterfully introduced the children to some of the world’s diversity. The very first chapter mentions that Sri Lanka boasts ‘more than two thousand years of culture’ and has ‘at least eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites’. All the animals depicted in the book are actual inhabitants of Sri Lanka, so the children get to know about the biodiversity. References of traditional dresses such as sari and sarong and the tradition of using elephants in weddings provide glimpses into the Sri Lankan culture. The description of the sandy beaches and lush forests was enough to induce an urge of traveling in young minds.
Another good thing about the book is that it contains subtle moral lessons. The way Inca enlists the help of Rani the turtle and Meena the elephant shows her regard for friendship. When Inca realizes that solving the mystery would not have been possible without her friends and siblings, she emphasizes the importance of team effort to achieve success. When she leaves the home at night in search of her hare-brained brother, or when the mighty cheetah decides to return her to her home, they show why the family is important above all. The children are sure to imbibe these moral values while enjoying the read at the same time.
My only complaint is that the Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka could have been explored in more details. In addition to Anuradhapura temple, the kitties could have visited other sites as well. Illustrations of a few of the Heritage Sites would have been more helpful and informative for the children.
Despite this, the book deserves nothing less than a 4 out of 4 stars. From the technical standpoint, I noticed only one misspelled word. Though addressed towards children of the age group 7-12 years, I am sure the adults will also enjoy the story. It reminds us of the flavor of our beloved Aesop’s fables and once again takes us to our childhood when life was simpler and the bad guys were always punished.
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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
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I'll have to check out the rest of the series. Thank you for the review
when I get a little money I buy books; and if I have any left l buy food and clothes
