Isabelle Bottier

Well, the artwork is adorable, but the story doesn't trust its readers to understand anything. I feel like this is geared toward middle-grade, but it would fit better for an even younger crowd (like 5 or 6). I attribute much of that to the translation from French to English, but who really knows.

This isn't Dora the Explorer everything doesn't have to be spelled out. Kids aren't stupid. Give me a chance to figure something out, Cassandra! ;__; I know showing and not telling is hard (...it really is from a writer's standpoint. infodumps are easier than slowly letting info flow through a story), but this volume reeks of too much telling.

Loose Example:
"We're don't have to be friends, Cassandra."
Cassandra: Oh no!
"I don't like you because you're stealing my dad away from me!"
Cassandra: "Great! She didn't like me because she was afraid her dad wouldn't have time for her anymore :)

In addition, the story's pacing is fast enough to break your neck from one revelation to the next until the conclusion.

Also, bye, Cassandra! If you gotta run to get your momma to prove your animal-psychic credibility, then this ain't the job for you.


I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

Honestly, I think the right audience will love this book, but it's obvious this wasn't for me. No rating because I would give it a 1-star. Let's see if the next book is better.… (more)