Kiwi in Cat City

by Vickie Johnstone

Overview

Ebook version published on April 28, 2011. Book 1 in the Kiwi Series about a magical cat. Have you ever wished your cat could talk or wondered where he/she goes when you are not around?Kiwi is a black cat with a big secret - she is magical and comes from a city of catizens. One night when the moon is shaped like a cat's claw, Amy and James follow their pet cat to see where she goes. With a flick of her tail, Kiwi turns the kids into kittens and leads them to the blue-lit Cat City, where the budding detectives help Inspector Furrball to investigate a catnapping and Kiwi meets her nemesis. Furry fun for ages 7-99.KIRKUS REVIEW - "Though the book is a mystery, the bloodshed-free crime means that the book is safe enough for younger readers to enjoy, and funny moments - provided by the bumbling Paws and lots of "cat" wordplay - keep the story light. The sleuthing will captivate young readers... Cats, a dash of fantasy, and a puzzling mystery are a recipe for a fun read..."In the Kiwi Series, Amy, James and Kiwi go on different adventures, dealing with catnappings, jewel thieves, giant mice, time travel, haunted houses, Father Christmas, pyramids and more. The fun stories contain positive messages about loyalty, friendship, honesty, bullying and the power of friendship. With illustrations by Nikki McBroom. Book 4 in the series, Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle, was a finalist in the Children's Books category of the National Indie Excellence Book Awards 2013.Some reviews for Kiwi in Cat City: "This book is beautifully written, with a great poetic prologue, and heaps of action, intrigue and fun. Ms Johnstone's vivid imagination does her a great deal of credit. This is a great book for all ages." - Amelia Curzon"Very well written fantasy about an alternate reality for cats... where a suspenseful mystery story unfolds. The details of this world are amazing, but equally impressive are the details of the characters which are brought to life vividly by the author. I found myself laughing aloud." - Ed Drury"I really liked that Kiwi was a cat-agent. Amy and James (people) follow their cat into a separate cat world. Inside that world, Amy and James - or Ames and Jimster as they are known in the cat world - find that their cat Kiwi is a cat-agent, and she's on a case where there are missing catizens (cat citizens - teehee) and Amy and James have to find the cat-napper. This book was very good. I would recommend this to kids ages nine and up or even adults to read to their kids at night. The ending was great! It's fun and always keeps you on the edge of your seat." - Alynn, age 12"Johnstone is a wonderful writer, able to weave a magical tale. Her pace and timing is perfect." - Donna Brown"Yes, this is a children's book, but don't let that fool you into believing that it is any less entertaining for adults! I hung on every word of this fantastic little novel. Vickie has a terrific imagination and truly amazing talent in putting her vision into words." - Cassie/Gathering Leaves"This book is pure delight - the author has such a great imagination and her ability to captivate an audience is second to none." - Sue Palmer"All of the ingredients for involving youngsters in the love of reading are here." - Grady Harp"I love the way the author describes people getting used to the body of the cat and laughed hysterically even more during the whole adventure." - Lana Lee"This is such a cute, delightful story... The elaborate settings, exquisite details, and sophisticated characters are matched only by the wit and ingenuity of the author. The little miss Em just started reading it and, halfway in, she's just as engrossed as I was." - Megan Broutian"This first book of the Kiwi series is a jewel and a complement to the writing skills and imagination of a brilliant young author." - Paul M Schofield

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781463588298
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	11/08/2012
Series:	Kiwi , #1
Pages:	154
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.33(d)

Editorial Reviews

2015-05-07
Two children help their pet cat solve a mystery in this short, middle-grade first installment of a series.Johnstone takes readers to a land known as Cat City. One night, sister and brother Amy and James decide to follow their cat, Kiwi, but they're in for a surprise when they learn that Kiwi can talk. Kiwi transforms them into kittens and takes them with her to Cat City. Kiwi is called upon to help Inspector Furrball solve a series of catnappings that have occurred in the feline-filled city. While Amy and James (now Ames and Jimster) struggle to adapt to cat behavior, including licking their own fur, Kiwi investigates Catskins Limited, a company that makes biscuits and seems to be linked to the catnappings. Furrball asks his nephew, the bumbling, oafish Paws, to assist the trio, though he proves useless. The break in the case comes when Kiwi and Furrball discover that the Catskins delivery to Cat Crime has a false bottom that contains some mysterious contents. Kiwi, with help from Amy and James, tracks the catnapped catizens, but more treachery ensues. Though the book is a mystery, the bloodshed-free crime means that the book is safe enough for younger readers to enjoy, and funny moments—provided by the bumbling Paws and lots of "cat" wordplay—keep the story light. The sleuthing will captivate young readers, although the ending, which allows for a sequel, is disappointingly inconclusive. For example, readers never learn what was hidden beneath the false bottom of the Catskins box or about Dev's background, the criminal mastermind. Nor do we get to see what happens when Amy and James return to their old human forms.Cats, a dash of fantasy, and a puzzling mystery are a recipe for a fun read despite an abrupt and unsatisfying ending.

Kirkus Reviews