Review by Drianie -- Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Sno...
Posted: 13 Oct 2020, 03:51
[Following is a volunteer review of "Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat" by R.F. Kristi.]
Adorable furry friends are brought to life in Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi. The story follows Inca, the spunky Siberian cat, who is the head of her own detective agency. She goes on an adventure to the beautiful island of Sri Lanka in this seventh installment of the series. Don't be deterred by the fact that this is the seventh entry, as it reads well as a standalone book.
Inca, along with her siblings Fromage and Cara, and their beloved hamster Charlotte, are whisked away on a lovely holiday with their Mom. They planned to spend their days frolicking on the beach, eating ever so much ice cream, but no sooner did they get there than news reaches them about an antique sword, stolen from the museum in Colombo. Inca’s natural detective instincts immediately kick in, and she enlists the help of her siblings to solve the case. Terrence, their dear doggy friend, joins them for the ride. His humanoid, Solo, has been contacted by the director of the museum to help solve the case. We also meet new friends along the way, such as Rani, the sea turtle, and Meena, the baby elephant, who each try their hand at crime-solving. This endearing group of friends set out on their adventure through Sri Lanka, not only trying to solve the case of the missing sword but also learning more about the small island along the way.
Firstly, I think this is a wonderfully balanced book for ages 7-13. Kristi uses a distinct, descriptive writing style and includes a list of unusual words, some of which I have personally never heard before. Blunderbuss, for instance, is used to describe someone who lacks subtlety and precision when doing something. These lesser-known words provide young readers with the opportunity to expand their vocabulary. Readers can also develop their general understanding, as Kristi will often provide definitions for lesser-used words. An example of this is “…stolen antiques – meaning very old and valuable artifacts” (p.45).
Secondly, I liked that this book included a vast range of interesting facts and knowledge that young readers can learn about Sri Lanka. This small island is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sights, and their culture is more than two thousand years old. Furthermore, there are beautiful temples, caves with drawings, and the oldest human-planted tree in the world. Not only does the book include these interesting facts, but we also expand our knowledge on all the animals encountered there, such as the sea turtles, elephants, monkeys, and leopards.
Lastly, I have to mention that I enjoyed the general format of the book, taking the style of Inca’s diary entries while on their holiday. I also loved the intense scene between Inca and the python. It was just the right amount of tension without being too scary for the youngsters. I can’t finish this review without expressing my appreciation for the simple yet striking illustrations providing the perfect accent to the already well-written story. I appreciate the values of friendship and teamwork that are palpable throughout the book.
I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars since it is a beautifully written story filled with relatable characters that youngsters can accompany on reading adventures. The book is well-edited, and the few errors I did find does not warrant losing a whole star. I’m looking forward to reading the previous installments in this series, and it would be a pleasant addition to any child’s bookshelf. Parents and teachers alike will find this book enjoyable while reading to their kids.
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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Adorable furry friends are brought to life in Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi. The story follows Inca, the spunky Siberian cat, who is the head of her own detective agency. She goes on an adventure to the beautiful island of Sri Lanka in this seventh installment of the series. Don't be deterred by the fact that this is the seventh entry, as it reads well as a standalone book.
Inca, along with her siblings Fromage and Cara, and their beloved hamster Charlotte, are whisked away on a lovely holiday with their Mom. They planned to spend their days frolicking on the beach, eating ever so much ice cream, but no sooner did they get there than news reaches them about an antique sword, stolen from the museum in Colombo. Inca’s natural detective instincts immediately kick in, and she enlists the help of her siblings to solve the case. Terrence, their dear doggy friend, joins them for the ride. His humanoid, Solo, has been contacted by the director of the museum to help solve the case. We also meet new friends along the way, such as Rani, the sea turtle, and Meena, the baby elephant, who each try their hand at crime-solving. This endearing group of friends set out on their adventure through Sri Lanka, not only trying to solve the case of the missing sword but also learning more about the small island along the way.
Firstly, I think this is a wonderfully balanced book for ages 7-13. Kristi uses a distinct, descriptive writing style and includes a list of unusual words, some of which I have personally never heard before. Blunderbuss, for instance, is used to describe someone who lacks subtlety and precision when doing something. These lesser-known words provide young readers with the opportunity to expand their vocabulary. Readers can also develop their general understanding, as Kristi will often provide definitions for lesser-used words. An example of this is “…stolen antiques – meaning very old and valuable artifacts” (p.45).
Secondly, I liked that this book included a vast range of interesting facts and knowledge that young readers can learn about Sri Lanka. This small island is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sights, and their culture is more than two thousand years old. Furthermore, there are beautiful temples, caves with drawings, and the oldest human-planted tree in the world. Not only does the book include these interesting facts, but we also expand our knowledge on all the animals encountered there, such as the sea turtles, elephants, monkeys, and leopards.
Lastly, I have to mention that I enjoyed the general format of the book, taking the style of Inca’s diary entries while on their holiday. I also loved the intense scene between Inca and the python. It was just the right amount of tension without being too scary for the youngsters. I can’t finish this review without expressing my appreciation for the simple yet striking illustrations providing the perfect accent to the already well-written story. I appreciate the values of friendship and teamwork that are palpable throughout the book.
I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars since it is a beautifully written story filled with relatable characters that youngsters can accompany on reading adventures. The book is well-edited, and the few errors I did find does not warrant losing a whole star. I’m looking forward to reading the previous installments in this series, and it would be a pleasant addition to any child’s bookshelf. Parents and teachers alike will find this book enjoyable while reading to their kids.
******
Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
