Review by e-tasana-williams -- Cat Detectives in the Kor...

[e-tasana-williams]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula" by R.F. Kristi.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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In the award-winning Inca Book Series, author R. F. Kristi takes her characters on international adventures. The animals solve mysteries and help their human companions in each country they visit. Inca is a pocket-sized Siberian cat who runs a detective agency called Inca & Company. She is physically small, but giant in her own mind. Inca narrates her adventures through engaging diary entries.

Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula opens with Inca & Company in their neighbor's library, admiring a large new painting of a Siberian tiger. Soon afterward, they are involved in an adventure to reunite a family separated by Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Will they escape from their undercover mission unscathed?

While they are in Korea, their human, Missy, is judging a pastry competition sponsored by Le Cordon Bleu. There is a subplot involving Missy's new cheese being unveiled for the first time. Enzo, a sneaky cheese chef who is Missy's primary competition, eyes the cheese with envy. Will he ruin Missy's debut of her Creme de la Creme creation?

Even though this book is the eighth installment in Ms. Kristi's Inca Book series, readers can quickly come up to date by viewing the family tree and list of characters in the front of the book. Otherwise, the story stands alone and it can be enjoyed by people who have not yet read the other books in the series.

The story is educational and entertaining. Children reading this chapter book can learn about the Korean peninsula and its people, animals, architecture, and historic sites. The characters experience Namsan Park, the DMZ, and the Dora Observatory. They also learn about cranes, deer, bears and leopards.

The book can also be used to teach readers about good character traits. Throughout the story, the people and animals benefit from teamwork, positive thinking, courage, and being accepting of differences in others.

Ms. Kristi's love for children shines through the series which is accompanied by her website, incabookseries.com. At the end of the book, readers are invited to explore the website and learn more about the characters. On the website, parents and teachers can also learn more about the importance of reading to children and even play a short cartoon featuring the characters of Inca & Company.

My favorite part of Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula is the suspense Ms. Kristi builds into the storyline. It adds tension to the story without being too intense for children. There is nothing about this book I did not like. It appears to be professionally edited.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The illustrations are unique, the plot is well-developed and the relationships between the characters teach the importance of family and friendship. Read this one with a child in your life, then read the other books in the series too. You won't be disappointed.

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Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula
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