MrsK Books: 04/01/2018

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi

R.F. Kristi

ISBN: 9781979036085

Publisher's Synopsis:

Read the hilarious and breathtaking antics of Inca and her family of furry friends as recorded through the eyes of Inca a Siberian Kitty. Inca decides to start a Diary! A heart-pounding saga unfolds as she keeps the reader thrilled recording her detective exploits. When Inca and family move to London from Paris, they make a whole new set of friends, including Monk, a Blue Russian cat and Terrence, a Golden Retriever who ably and bravely assists his world-famous detective owner, Solo. Inspired by the adventures of her new friends, Inca sets herself the task of becoming the world's best cat detective and begins to keep a diary of her exploits. When Monk arrives one evening, with news of a meeting to take place later that night, Inca is excited and can't wait to attend. She is told of a perilous journey that must be undertaken by Solo and Terrence, who are to travel to the Himalayas, to search for the missing Raoul, a friend who had failed to return from an expedition. The departure of Terrence means that Inca can take on her first proper job; the baffling incident of Mr. Finchley's missing will. But does the young cat have what it takes to crack the case and save the tormented and ferocious Rottweiler - Boss? And can she do it without the help of the wily old Retriever?

MrsK's Review:
Meet Inca a Siberian kitty who has no challenge with proclaiming her strengths, as well as her intelligence. One December morning, Inca begins a journey writing about her family, friends, and what she has accomplished during her day. Yes, she is writing about her daily life! And, it is a good thing that she is because the "bully" of the neighborhood is in need of help.

Imagine spending every waking moment terrorizing the neighborhood, keeping them from coming close to your space and suddenly learning that your owner is about to lose everything because some human has absconded with a piece of paper that could save all that belongs to his owner.

Inca is determined to become the "world's" smartest cat detective, so when the "bully" of the neighborhood was in need it meant that she would be needed. Since she was the best detective, she would lead Solo's detective agency in recreating the night when Boss' will went missing.

Written with much humor, strong characterizations, and many escapades this story will delight many beginning readers. The font is perfect for those adventuring into chapter books. The illustrations provide the "unwritten" clues into the personalities of each character. The settings and story line has a realistic mood which will provide the right combination for reader engagement and desire to experience another mystery with Inca.

A definite addition to any 2nd grade classroom shelf,
MrsK

"Are we real detectives now?" asked Polo."

Great fun for any beginning detective...

Inca's website

Meet the Author:

R.F. Kristi, the author of the Inca book series is a former professional of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. She holds a doctorate in economic development and has traveled and lived in various countries of the globe. With a deep commitment to animal rescue eﬀorts, Kristi has a keen interest and love for animals. She created the Inca Cat book series for younger readers up to age 8 or 12 and also animal lovers. Kristi currently resides in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)