Review of The Catragon

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ZCReviews
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Latest Review: The Catragon by Cait West

Review of The Catragon

Post by ZCReviews »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Catragon" by Cait West.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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One day, a disaster separates a young kitten from his family. Fortunately, a family of tabby cats finds him and raises him as their own, and they name him Smokey. Smokey has all-black fur, which is somewhat ordinary, but he has something that truly makes him different from ordinary cats—wings! This is because Smokey is not like other kittens; he is a Catragon. Catragons are a fascinating species that are half-feline and half-dragon. Unfortunately, because of his wings, Smokey faces bullying from the cats in his neighborhood and struggles to fit in. The Catragon by Cait West is about how one tragic event turns a young Catragon’s life upside down, starting him on a journey to appreciate his uniqueness, stand up to bullies, and learn about his origin.

My favorite quality of the book is that, with childlike simplicity, it navigates many serious topics beyond self-love and self-growth, like loyalty to friends, asking for forgiveness, accepting others’ differences, and the effects of unkind words. Many children will be able to relate to these topics, as well as Smokey’s struggle to find his identity while needing love and support from those closest to him.

Since this is a children’s book, I thought there would be more illustrations. However, the book only included a few illustrations of pivotal moments. As I read the book, I realized that adding more illustrations would have disrupted the story’s flow. West did a great job selecting which scenes to illustrate. Equally important, the characters’ expressive faces and body language in the illustrations helped me connect with the story.

My one reservation about the story is that I felt Smokey’s reaction to his challenges was immature and involved a bit of emotional manipulation, at least from my perspective. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed this aspect of the story because his choices make the story more realistic. I hope Smokey’s way of dealing with bullies encourages children to think about how they would react to hurtful actions from others if they find themselves in that situation.

I loved the world-building—it’s creative but easy for children to understand. West created a compelling foundation for more stories about Smokey, and I would gladly read them. I give The Catragon a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars because of its creative character concept, expressive illustrations, and the number of themes explored. I dislike nothing about the book. I have mixed feelings about how Smokey responded to his challenges, but this minor point doesn’t detract from how great the book is overall.

This book would be great for children between 8 and 13 years old, especially those who have experienced bullying or were adopted. It is a bonus if they love cats, dragons, or both. These children will enjoy the storytelling and relate to the themes. Younger children will still enjoy the story but probably will not fully appreciate all the themes. Also, if they are used to short picture books, the story may seem too long.

******
The Catragon
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Sarah Zain
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Post by Sarah Zain »

You did a good job describing the story, and it made me interested in reading it. Accepting differences, confronting bullying, accepting yourself and accepting your differences so that you can face others with confidence. All these things should be instilled in children. Great, and engaging review!
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Post by Jayliz vazquez »

This is a great book
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Post by Nneka Bridget »

What a beautifully imaginative story! The Catragon dives deep into themes of self-acceptance and resilience, with Smokey’s journey sure to resonate with young readers facing their own challenges. The expressive illustrations and West’s creative storytelling make this an easy recommendation for children, especially those who might connect with Smokey’s unique experiences.
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Post by Blueberry Dragon »

Thank you for a balanced review @Zanne Crystle - I loved how you were able to list the book's strengths and failings. I'd be curious to read this one though this is not a genre that I read often.
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Post by Stephen Christopher 1 »

Ok so I love cats, and dragons, so now I have to have a Catragon!! I agree with you, children's books need more illustrations to keep them interested.
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Post by Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis »

Great review! It's funny that you should write a review on kittens. A kitten showed up on our doorstep a few days ago, and we are trying to find its owner. It has a collar with a bell on it, so it's someone's kitten. We are going to the vet to see if it's microchipped. I really enjoyed your review! I always enjoy reading whatever you write.
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Post by Qwerty Writes »

It's such a sweet tale! I've found that it's sometimes easier for children to connect with anthropomorphized animals. Add that to the amazing values and morals that we can impart to them and I'd say it's a pretty good book. However the part on the emotional interactions is a bit concerning. I think that even such should be considered because children are sensitive to learning these things. I'm glad I read this review though I'm far from the target audience. :lol2:
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Post by Gerry Steen »

Zanne Crystle wrote: 31 Oct 2024, 13:25 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Catragon" by Cait West.]
Book Cover
5 out of 5 stars
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One day, a disaster separates a young kitten from his family. Fortunately, a family of tabby cats finds him and raises him as their own, and they name him Smokey. Smokey has all-black fur, which is somewhat ordinary, but he has something that truly makes him different from ordinary cats—wings! This is because Smokey is not like other kittens; he is a Catragon. Catragons are a fascinating species that are half-feline and half-dragon. Unfortunately, because of his wings, Smokey faces bullying from the cats in his neighborhood and struggles to fit in. The Catragon by Cait West is about how one tragic event turns a young Catragon’s life upside down, starting him on a journey to appreciate his uniqueness, stand up to bullies, and learn about his origin.

My favorite quality of the book is that, with childlike simplicity, it navigates many serious topics beyond self-love and self-growth, like loyalty to friends, asking for forgiveness, accepting others’ differences, and the effects of unkind words. Many children will be able to relate to these topics, as well as Smokey’s struggle to find his identity while needing love and support from those closest to him.

Since this is a children’s book, I thought there would be more illustrations. However, the book only included a few illustrations of pivotal moments. As I read the book, I realized that adding more illustrations would have disrupted the story’s flow. West did a great job selecting which scenes to illustrate. Equally important, the characters’ expressive faces and body language in the illustrations helped me connect with the story.

My one reservation about the story is that I felt Smokey’s reaction to his challenges was immature and involved a bit of emotional manipulation, at least from my perspective. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed this aspect of the story because his choices make the story more realistic. I hope Smokey’s way of dealing with bullies encourages children to think about how they would react to hurtful actions from others if they find themselves in that situation.

I loved the world-building—it’s creative but easy for children to understand. West created a compelling foundation for more stories about Smokey, and I would gladly read them. I give The Catragon a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars because of its creative character concept, expressive illustrations, and the number of themes explored. I dislike nothing about the book. I have mixed feelings about how Smokey responded to his challenges, but this minor point doesn’t detract from how great the book is overall.

This book would be great for children between 8 and 13 years old, especially those who have experienced bullying or were adopted. It is a bonus if they love cats, dragons, or both. These children will enjoy the storytelling and relate to the themes. Younger children will still enjoy the story but probably will not fully appreciate all the themes. Also, if they are used to short picture books, the story may seem too long.

******
The Catragon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Smokey had to deal with bullying. How Smokey dealt with the bullying was sometimes in an immature fashion. This is normal for many people. How the individual rises above the effects of bullying is what is important. Your review shows that there are important lessons for children to learn in regards to surviving bullying. Congratulations to the author, Cait West, for earning a 5-star rating from you.
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Post by Priya Murugesan »

An amazing review! I loved the way how you pointed out the minor details in the book. I would love to know how Smokey reacted to his challenges!
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Post by Mary John 10 »

The Catragon by Cait West follows the journey of Smokey, a young kitten separated from his family after a disaster. Raised by a family of tabby cats, Smokey is different from other kittens because he has wings—he is a Catragon, a half-feline, half-dragon species. Facing bullying and struggling to fit in due to his wings, Smokey embarks on a journey to embrace his uniqueness, stand up to bullies, and discover the truth about his origins.
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Post by Naimah Agboluaje »

Based on the review, The Catragon by Cait West seems to be a captivating and insightful children's book. The creative concept of a half-feline, half-dragon protagonist and the explorations of self-love, loyalty, and acceptance make it an engaging read. The few illustrations included in the book are well-chosen and help to connect with the story. While there was some reservation about the protagonist's reaction to challenges, it adds a realistic touch to the narrative. The world-building is imaginative yet understandable for children. Overall, I would rate The Catragon a solid 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to children aged 8-13, especially those who have experienced bullying or adoption. Enchanting atmosphere, immersed me completely.
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