Review of Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula
- Mercy Bolo
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Review of Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula
Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula is a children’s book that narrates the adventures of the animals that make up the detective agency Inca and Company. The book starts with a description of the cats (stature, breed, and characteristics). The author also includes beautiful illustrations of the animals, which come in handy for reference.
The plot thickens as the animals travel from London to South Korea with their human mom. I liked that they employed their detective talents early in the book and saved their mom from a malicious thief. That was an exciting encounter as the animals’ personalities shone through. I cringed when one of the animals tried to take full credit for the rescue. That presented a critical lesson that both children and adults will learn from. This encounter set the tone for future detective work, and I looked forward to the animals’ performance in high-pressure situations.
I like that the author included relevant information about South Korea in the book. The animals and their human mom travelled to the region for a cooking competition with North and South Korean participants. The event was part of a peace-keeping initiative to strengthen ties between the two nations. Although I didn’t expect it, I appreciate that the author wove that theme into the storyline. The dense topic was presented in simple language that children will digest. It also offers an opportunity for teachers, parents, or guardians to educate youngsters about the ongoings of the region.
The author presents the book in journal entries written by Inca, a Siberian cat and leader of the pack. I enjoyed reading Inca’s daily experiences and couldn’t wait to flip the pages. It was, however, not clear whether Inca was male or female. This minor detail bothered me, and it was one of the two things I didn’t like about the book. The other is that there seemed to be a violation of health and safety measures when the animals’ human mom used one of her cats, Fromage, as a mascot when presenting her produce at the cheese competition. I questioned why animals were allowed that close to the food. These issues, however, didn’t dampen the reading experience.
Overall this is a well-written book that deserves a 4 out of 4-star rating. I spotted no errors in the text, so I will conclude that it underwent thorough editing. Since it is a children’s book, I appreciate that the author aced the formatting and presentation. The font is playful and inviting, and there are captivating illustrations that highlight peak moments within the story. The book contains vital lessons that will uplift the intended audience. Readers will learn compassion, ingenuity, and teamwork. There are also heartwarming cat and dog friendships in the book. These will motivate pet owners to have their animals live in harmony. I enjoyed reading this book, and I will recommend it to children aged between 6 and 12 years. Younger readers will require help from an adult or older sibling. Animal lovers will also enjoy the story. Since I am invested in the adventure, I look forward to reading other books in the series.
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Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula
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