For her entire life, eleven-year-old Carrie has lived in Paradise, sharing a rustic mountain cabin with her mom. She loves her small family and hearty outdoor adventures with friends, but most of all, Carrie loves animals. Whether it’s Wendy the Woodpecker or Robbie the Raccoon, Carrie has a special relationship with them, almost as if she knows what they’re thinking. This unique bond leads her to meet a new neighbor, Sam the Engineer. When three vicious-looking dogs nearly attack Sam, Carrie rebukes the dogs and saves the day. But there’s no time to waste making new friends! After recent rains, Carrie is eager to check out the swollen river and ventures there alone. Carrie’s overconfidence turns to terror when she falls into the water and needs to be rescued. Sam manages to save her, but he injures himself in the process. This dramatic chain of events leads to the discovery of Magic Fish, a wish-granting fish with a New York accent. Magic Fish sets Carrie on a journey to restore harmony in Paradise, but as with all heroic journeys, there are many obstacles, adversaries, and opportunities along the way.
The Adventures Of Digger The Magic Cat: The Jewel Of The River is a whimsical book for young ones with elevated reading skills or for parents who enjoy reading and discussing advanced thematic stories with their children. Mixed media artwork punctuates the text, and many chapters conclude with pointed Food For Thought questions. These valuable chapter ends provide the bulk of the advertised LGBTQ+ content, encouraging children to see beyond appearances. Though the storyline and character development don’t directly incorporate all the topics considered in the Food For Thought sections, parents should brace themselves for some harsh, blunt, and hard-hitting subjects. For example: Is Sam a pedophile? Could he have a mortgage on his cabin? Is it brave or stupid to go on dangerous adventures alone? Families are afforded ample opportunities to approach many challenging topics, but they may need to explain numerous terms not common to children’s literature and some darker ideas that distract from the story. Regardless of a child’s reading level or comprehension of complex ideas, the fantastical notion of communicating with animals has wide appeal. Many forest creatures boast playful, alliterative names, a delightful literary device that bolsters the narrative mood and creates a rhythmic flow. A few well-placed metaphors, such as a longstanding animal feud and the unique differences between each Paradise cabin, help young readers learn to appreciate diversity in the world and the people around them. Though the prose and presentation are rough around the edges, the broad themes of inclusivity and curiosity, combined with the exciting plotline, make The Adventures Of Digger The Magic Cat a uniquely engaging adventure for inquisitive kids as they learn to think for themselves.
