SYNOPSIS:
Sherlock seems like your average cat. He loves to play, he purrs and loves to chase after things, so why can't he meow? One day as Sherlock leaves his job at the bakery for lunch, he gets the opportunity to talk to the sweet angel of a cat that he meets in the park. Her name is Luna. Will she find out his secret? Will she like a cat who can't meow or will she laugh at him? Sherlock's best friends Kato and Charlie tell him that he has nothing to worry about but with his rival Chauncy and the bully Bruto, does he really stand a chance? Find out in this all new chapter book as you follow a day in the life of Sherlock. See some of your favorite Freckles the Bunny Series characters and find out if Sherlock can overcome his embarrassment of being different. “Learn to love your differences because they are a part of who you are. They make you purrfect!” - Sherlock Cat 86 written pages, a "Fun Facts" page, "Behind the Story" and more! MORALS/LESSONS LEARNED: * Self-acceptance. * Being different is okay. BOOK INFO: AUTHOR: Vickianne Caswell ILLUSTRATOR: Anastasia Drogaitseva EDITOR: PUBLISHER: 4 Paws Games and Publishing PAPERBACK: ISBN 10: ISBN 13: |
Reviews
Learning to accept who you are is an important lesson for everyone to learn. Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn't Meow by Vickianne Caswell tells the story of a young cat who couldn’t meow, but could do plenty of other special things. Sherlock worked for C.J. in the bakery. On Saturdays, his friends Kato and Charlie would often take him fishing. One Saturday as he was fishing, he saw a beautiful girl that made his heart flutter, but before he could go talk to her the two bullies Chauncey and Bruto came over and started teasing him about not being able to meow. He finally met Luna Mousecatcher when she came into the bakery for lunch and they decided to go out for coffee. While they were having coffee, Chauncey and Bruto came in and started teasing Sherlock because he couldn’t meow. He was so embarrassed because they teased him in front of Luna that he dashed out of the diner and into the park. While he was in the park, he discovered a strange, blue knapsack, which he later learned had magical powers. With Luna angry at him for leaving her alone in the diner, Sherlock doesn’t really want to do anything or be with anybody, after all, he can’t meow. Will he be able to discover the truth about himself? What will the magic bag do for him? What important lesson can he learn from it all?
Vickianne Caswell tells an excellent story with an important lesson in Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn't Meow. Through a simple, yet exciting story, the reader will learn that what is inside one’s heart and the good things that they do determines who they are a lot more than what they look like or whether or not they are able to do certain things. Educational, fun and magical, Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn't Meow is an excellent story to help young readers learn that who they are isn’t all on the outside.
- Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite (5 stars)
“Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn’t Meow” is the latest children’s book released by Vickianne Caswell, cover art design by Anastasia Drogaitseva. Where Vickianne’s book series to date have been picture books for pre-schoolers and perhaps the beginning school years, (please see my previous reviews http://sandrabennettauthor.com/2013/12/03/another-two-furry-cute-tales-in-time-for-christmas/, http://sandrabennettauthor.com/2013/06/11/hop-on-into-two-furry-cute-reads/ ) this is her first venture into short chapter books for 6-10 year olds.
Vickianne has written another winner. She has written characters to not only fall in love with but who have a message to share with their readers. Sherlock is a hardworking cat by day that studies to further his education and qualifications at night, but he is somewhat shy and a little ashamed because hard as he may try, he cannot meow. Imagine a cat that can’t meow! He is laughed at and teased by bullies he has known since his school days. He doesn’t know how to make friends with the new cat in town, he’s so frightened that she’ll laugh too when she finds out his horrible secret. How he confronts his issues of self doubt and lack of confidence is cleverly portrayed through everyday situations that children can relate to and understand, with a little help from a bit of magic thrown in to develop the imagination and increase the adventure along the way.
However, there is so much more to this book than just the story. Vickianne has included at the end of the book three quotes from Sherlock which clearly demonstrate the moral to the story, just in case you don’t get it upon reading, but I have no doubt that you will.
There is also a glossary of unfamiliar words for the targeted age group. This is a marvelous idea, no need to go racing for a dictionary, the words are already there at your finger tips.
Included is also extra reading material with a few fun animal facts as well as the words to the song sung during the story by C.J, the English Lop Bunny who owns the bakery where Sherlock works.
As the story is all about cats and other adorable pets, Vickianne has also included her thoughts on considerations before buying a pet for yourself or adopting one from an animal shelter. Some very wise food for thought indeed.
If you are looking for an early, easy reader that the whole family will enjoy together, then you can’t go past “Sherlock the Cat Who Couldn’t Meow.” It is sensitive, poignant and inspirational along with raising some great issues for parental or classroom discussion. I highly recommend Vickianne Caswell’s latest edition to her repotoire of clever and delightful children’s tales.
- Sandra Bennett, author (5 stars)
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