Snazzy Cat Capers is the first book in a fun new chapter book series from author Deanna Kent and illustrator Neil Hooson. Read on for my thoughts on the book as well as giveaway information for Canadian readers who would like to win a copy of this book courtesy of Raincoast Books!
Snazzy Cat Capers (Snazzy Cat Capers #1) by Deanna Kent, illus. Neil Hooson
Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Raincoast Books. Thank you!
Publication: September 18, 2018 by Imprint
Book Description:
Life is short. Diamonds are fur-ever.
Internationally famous cat burglar Ophelia von Hairball V adores jewels – the only thing she loves more is a challenge. She’s never met a safe she couldn’t crack.
Now the Furry Feline Burglary Institute (FFBI) offers her the ultimate caper: steal the giant Himalayan diamond and win their top award!
There’s a catch! The FFBI sends an enthusiastic inventor to help Ophelia… but this cat works alone, and Oscar Fishgerald Gold smells fishy.
Can the smartest, stealthiest, and snazziest of cats learn to work with a fintastic sidekick and prove she’s still the world’s most purr-fect burglar?
Adventure, heists, and teamwork abound in this fun, witty middle grade read brimming with cat-tastic black-and-white illustrations. Includes graphic novel-style pages!
“An elite member of the Furry Feline Burglary Institute, Ophelia is a thief extraordinaire who follows a timeless, honorable code to keep cat burglary classy.”
Deanna Kent and Neil Hooson, a married couple from Kelowna, British Columbia, have partnered together to bring readers Snazzy Cat Capers, an entertaining, funny (and punny!) series opener featuring fashionable and fantastic cat burglar Ophelia von Hairball V and her ever-enthusiastic, stalwart partner/inventor Oscar Fishgerald Gold.
Diamond-loving Ophelia is a star member of the Furry Feline Burglary Institute (FFBI); a smart, super stylish cat thief who is one of the major banes of the Central Canine Intelligence Agency’s (CCIA) existence. A master jewel thief, consistently evading the CCIA, and refusing to work with a partner/inventor, Ophelia finds herself in a bit of a pickle when her devious cousin- also a member of the FFBI and jealous of Ophelia’s success- makes big moves to try and stop Ophelia from winning yet another heist competition. Ophelia, very, very reluctantly has to welcome inventor Oscar F. Gold- who has been assigned by FFBI to be her partner/inventor- into her exciting life. As Ophelia and Oscar work to outsmart and thwart her haughty, overly-confident cousin Pierre and the CCIA at almost every turn, Ophelia discovers that having a trustworthy and resourceful associate by her side isn’t actually the worst thing ever. Filled with lots of cool gadgets, light twists and turns, and pretty awesome feline espionage skills, Snazzy Cat Capers is a totally enjoyable read. The illustrations by Neil Hooson add great dimension to the story, making it even further appealing to readers who love their chapter books with added visual/graphic novel appeal.
A little bit of James Bond gadgetry, a little bit of Get Smart zaniness- starring a super cool feline and her fish inventor!- and a lot of punniness, this is good, solid fun that flies by. Readers who enjoy funny series with graphics like Two Dogs in a Trench Coat, The Bad Guys, Stick Cat, The Yeti Files, or similar reads, might especially have terrific fun with this series. Look forward to the second book in the series, The Fast and the Furriest, due out in the fall of 2019! Extras: Link to school and library Activity Kit!
Giveaway Information:
Thanks to the generous folks at Raincoast Books, one lucky Canadian reader will win a copy of Snazzy Cat Capers! The giveaway will be open from October 26, 2018 to November 6, 2018 to Canadian residents and the winning entry will be randomly drawn via Rafflecopter. The winner will have 48 hours to get in touch with me via email, Twitter, or Facebook confirming their Canadian mailing address, or another entry will be drawn. Good luck!
Click here to enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter!
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review and for the purposes of this blog post. All opinions and comments are my own. Giveaway fulfilled by Raincoast Books.
Fab Book Reviews 
“Who is your favourite fictional jewel thief? Can be from a book, TV show, or a movie!” I’ll say Cary Grant in “To Catch a Thief.”
It would be Kaito Kuroba
Danny Ocean!!!!!
Ditto Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief, although he plays a reformed burglar.
Another cat burglar is my fave : The Pink Panther!
Cary Grant in “To Catch a Thief.” My favourite!
I would say Frank William Abagnale Jr..