A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful children’s fantasy novel by Melody Horrill that includes delightful illustrations by Angelique Smelt. Prepare to embark on a quest to save a magical land through a magic snow globe. This journey will be exciting, and entertaining, along with a reminder to take care of the world that we call home.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe draws the eye of readers with a simplistic cover. The cover has what could be interpreted as a blue sky at the top of the background. Working your way down you’ll see that yellow takes over and gradually darkens as it gets closer to the bottom of the cover.
Beneath the title of the story is a small girl sitting next to a rather large black cat. He looks to be quite the chonky creature, doesn’t he? With golden eyes and claws slightly flexed, he could easily be mistaken for a panther. Is this Q himself? In front of the girl and the cat is a snow globe with a ship traversing rough seas with an island in the distance. All of these are clues to what readers can expect to be found in this delightful tale.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story set in Australia. Readers will immediately be introduced to the young girl who will be the main character of the story – Sheri. Author Horrill gives readers a sketch of Sheri’s life. Things aren’t perfect for young Sheri, but readers will appreciate that despite the “imperfections” Sheri isn’t characterized as holding resentments or complaining. She appears to be a kind-hearted little girl with an overall positive attitude.
The story starts off with Sheri at home, but quickly takes readers along as she goes to the local charity shop (what we would call a second-hand store). There readers will be introduced to the cat called Q, or as those who are not his friends should call him – Quasar. It’s there that Sheri first sees the snow globe that will hold her attention. The snow globe has cracks across the dome, and it appears to call to the young girl.
However, it won’t be so easy for her to come into possession of it. There will be a moment or two in A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe that you’ll wonder – “Will Sheri have to do something bad in order to obtain possession of the globe?” Good news? The answer is no. LOL! What’s meant to be will be and author Horrill has a specific story in mind, so we just need to exercise a grain of patience and see how it all plays out.
Of course, A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe doesn’t solely take place in the second-hand shop. Readers will get to see Sheri at home, at school, and with her friend Shawn. It’s nice that Sheri has an advocate and friend in Shawn. It’s sad to see that Sheri gets bullied at school, but it’s heartening that Shawn takes up for her despite his own disabilities.
When the snow globe is finally acquired (don’t worry you won’t be waiting for very long) the story shifts from the “real world” to the fantasy world that Sheri has been chosen to save. This fantastical world is full of amazing and unique creatures. There will be many that readers will find familiar, but there will be others that are specifically unique to this new world. You will find yourself wishing that they were real.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story rich in details, a flowing storyline, and engaging characters. While there is some mild bullying in this book author Horrill refrains from overdoing it which would have caused it to be off-putting to younger readers.
As it is written A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story about adventure, finding courage, and taking care of the planet that will delight and engage readers of all ages.
Sheri is a young girl who along the way in this story finds her inner strength in the face of yet another bully, Mallum, the evil magician polluting the beautiful land of Opimae. Mallum is a character that readers will enjoy disliking. He’s a truly selfish and self-centered character, but the worst thing about him is his obsession with avocados!! Who makes people eat that and that alone?! A monster I tell you!! LOL! (He’s not really a monster mind you, just a bad person.)
Author Horrill shows Sheri’s gradual development of strength throughout the story which will delight readers who will find themselves relating to her. Sheri and her friends will have to go through quite a few challenges and are going to appreciate how author Horrill pushes Sheri and company to push through and overcome in this story.
Scattered throughout this book readers will be delighted with the small illustrations done by illustrator Smelt. The illustrations bring a nice spark to the story that will both add to the storyline as author Horrill weaves her tale, and draws readers in further.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a fantasy novel about a young girl going on an adventure, but tucked into this story is also a plea. A plea to stop the unnecessary destruction through deforestation, to stop polluting the rivers, lakes, and oceans and the devastating harm being brought down on the animals who call it home.
Author Horrill does not make this plea through her characters in an “in your face” manner or even in a preachy way. She makes it interesting, and engaging and does it in a simplistic manner that will inspire readers to take steps to better care for the planet we call home. It’s cleverly written into the story that will inspire and encourage readers to gain courage and strength like Sheri does to help those who need us most.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful story that gives hints that there could be more stories with Sheri, Quasar, and Shawn in the future. How do we feel about that? We think it’s a delightful promise that we hope we’ll get to see more of.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a truly fun story that readers of all ages will love to read again and again. Parents looking for a fun fantasy story to introduce to young children to encourage reading and care for the planet will absolutely want to consider this book as a potential bedtime story. Any reader looking for something fun to read with a flowing storyline will not want to miss out on this enchanting tale.
Pros:
- Engaging characters
- Well written storyline
- Fun fantasy elements
- Hints of future adventures with these characters
- Nice happy ending
- Well developed with lots of unique fantasy creatures
Cons:
- None of merit
Scribble's Worth 
Leave a comment