Review of Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat

[Mercy Bolo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat" by R.F. Kristi.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi is a children's book narrated by Inca, a Siberian cat. She is the head of the detective agency Inca and Company. The book recounts their escapades when they travel with their human mom to the village of Galle in Sri Lanka.

What I liked most about the book is that the content is presented in the form of journal entries authored by Inca. Hence, readers follow her day-to-day activities. It also provides an accurate timeline, especially when new characters are introduced. The book contains beautiful and thoughtful illustrations that liven the reading experience. There are illustrations of Inca's family members (the animals who make up Inca and Company) plus a brief description of each member. This section is strategically placed at the beginning of the book to acquaint readers with the animals. The book is also sprinkled with illustrations that highlight notable events in the story.

Inca is glad to escape the gloomy English weather to enjoy the sun at a beach cottage in Sri Lanka. There, she befriends a baby elephant, Meena, and her mother. She also meets a sea turtle, Rani, who reveals that he comes to the cottage because the other beaches are too polluted and overpopulated. I liked that the author took this opportunity to highlight human-wildlife conflict. It was refreshing to hear the animals' perspectives on the effects of human activity on their homeland. Inca's ingenuity and flexibility shone through when she was able to befriend local animals and use their input to solve a theft at the local museum. Readers will learn teamwork, compromise, and collaboration from Inca's conduct.

It was interesting to see animals of different species interacting with each other. Dogs, cats, turtles, and elephants lived in harmony. When Inca narrated unexpected kindness from a vicious predator, a leopard, I was in awe. These interactions will educate children about the characteristics and habitat of each animal. The perpetrators of the crime Inca investigated were painted in a bad light, and I am grateful for that. That will instill in children that corruption is neither celebrated nor emulated.

Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat is the seventh book of the Inca Book Series. I'm glad to report that it reads as a standalone. Readers who haven't read preceding books shouldn't be worried. Since the intended audience is children, the author presents the material using straightforward and digestible language. I will recommend the book to children aged between 6 and 12 years. The book will also appeal to readers who enjoy investigative stories. There's nothing I disliked about the story. I spotted no errors, so I will conclude that the book underwent professional editing. Hence, I will award it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
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[NancyDrew12]

I've also just recently read this book. And I liked the fact that all the animals got along no matter their species. I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did! Thanks for a lovely review!

[Raluca_Mihaila]

An instructive story in a lovely presentation, what else would you want from a children's book? Great review!

[Charlize Venter]

I've also just recently read this book. And I liked the fact that all the animals got along no matter their species. I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I did! Thanks for a lovely review!

It is quite the message, isn't it. Might it transcend into the human world and negate all the hate!