Book Review of The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa Series
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The Children’s Book Review
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa Series
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | Publisher: Little Boola Books
What to Expect: Wildlife, Environment Awareness, Problem-Solving, Adventure, and Humor
A bewildered city cat lost in the African bush survives not through bravery or strength, but by listening, observing, and helping wildlife solve problems bigger than her own.
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa is a chapter book series in which each story centers on a different species and a new dilemma. The first six books in the planned 10-book series include The Pangolins, The Elephants, The Giraffes, The Baboons, The Lions, and The Ostriches. Casper is “a cat with sticky-up black hair and one green eye,” and her accidental journey leads to a chain of encounters with animals facing danger, conflict, and confusion in the wild.
Not just a heroic cat that rescues others, Casper is a quiet problem-solver, helping communities understand themselves better. Despite frequently feeling frightened, out of place, and unsure of what to do, she always pays attention to the goings-on around her as she moves from one situation to the next. Through poaching threats, bullying within herds, chaotic treetop politics, looming predators, and the ripple effects of misunderstandings between animals, a clear pattern emerges, offering lessons in compassion, understanding, and respect, delivered with warmth, wit, and memorable adventure. Casper’s journey shows that paying attention, asking questions, and choosing kindness can be just as powerful as claws and teeth.
Many conflicts in the series stem from rumours, assumptions, or animals misreading each other’s intentions, and Casper’s thoughtful approach often shifts the course of events as she frequently asks questions others haven’t considered and notices details the larger, louder animals usually overlook, which allows the issues that arise to unravel. Over the course of the series, Casper’s emotional growth and leadership develop, inspiring young readers to believe in their own ability to handle challenges. The character growth will reward readers who follow the series, though each book can be read independently.
Each chapter is short, with energetic scenes, and the consistent momentum makes the books well-suited for emerging independent readers as well as engaging read-alouds. A solid bonus is the illustrated factual sections at the back of each book, which provide real information about the animals and their habitats, support curriculum goals, and extend the reading experience naturally without interrupting the narrative flow.
Another highlight of the series is the constant humor, often driven by fast dialogue and absurd situations, that provides a rare blend of laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine emotional substance, encouraging a positive reading experience for young audiences and educators alike. In one treetop encounter, dozens of guinea fowl greet Casper in chorus: ‘Hi… Hi… Hello… Morning… Hi.’ Casper’s baffled ‘city cat logic’ keeps the tone light and inviting, as when she ‘closed her eyes again and hoped, with all the hope a lost city cat could possibly muster, that they didn’t all start pooping, too.’
Whether in the treetops with baboons and birds or on the open plains with towering giraffes and elephants, Lekshmi Bose’s art enhances both the clarity and comedy of each story through expressions and movement that are rendered in ways that help young readers follow busy scenes, amplifying Casper’s perpetually startled charm.
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa is an ideal series for animal lovers, curious readers, and classrooms seeking edutaining stories that also quietly encourage empathy, critical thinking, and environmental awareness.
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 1 – The Pangolins
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1923356009
Lost and alone in the African bush, Casper stumbles upon a family of pangolins in danger and learns that careful listening—not claws—may be the key to outsmarting poachers.
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The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 2 – The Elephants
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1-923356-06-1
When tension and bullying ripple through an elephant herd, Casper discovers that asking the right questions can calm even the largest tempers.
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The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 3 – The Giraffes
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1923356115
High in the treetops and higher in confusion, Casper navigates giraffe drama, noisy neighbors, and misunderstandings that threaten a newborn calf.
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The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 4 – The Baboons
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | 82 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1923356177
Surrounded by chaotic baboon politics and treetop gossip, Casper learns how quickly rumors spread—and how patience can untangle them.
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The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 5 – The Lions
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | 80 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1923356214
When trophy hunters threaten the pride, Casper must help lions, birds, and bush creatures work together to protect their home.
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The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 6 – The Ostriches
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages 6+ | 82 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1923356269
Leading a flock of anxious ostriches across open plains, Casper discovers that courage sometimes means helping others move forward together.
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About the Author
Jennifer Ussi is an award-winning filmmaker and children’s author whose work has screened at international festivals and cinemas worldwide. With a background spanning feature films, television, commercials, and education, she brings a cinematic eye and a storyteller’s heart to everything she creates.
The idea for The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa didn’t arrive at a desk—it emerged on the road. Over two years, Jennifer and her husband explored the wilds of Africa in an ancient campervan, camping in wildlife reserves, and sharing their days with elephants, birdsong, dust, stars, and stories. Armed with her camera and an insatiable desire to observe and imagine, Jennifer absorbed the landscapes and rhythms of life close to nature—experiences that now pulse through every page of the Casper series.
Her work blends adventure with authenticity, using storytelling to spark curiosity, build empathy, and invite young readers to see the natural world—and their place within it—just a little differently.
Discover more from the author at www.littleboolabooks.com.
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