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I have a very special book and author for you to meet today -- R.F. Kristi and her book, THE CAT DETECTIVES IN
RUSSIA: THE CASE OF THE MISSING FABERGÉ EGG. When I tell you that this book is adorable and very creative, I mean it. Brilliantly written and with beautiful illustrations by Maaz Farzaan, this book is sure to captivate young readers.
I will warn you though, this is neither a short book or a quick read. In fact, the book is intended to be read over a series of days. This week, I am babysitting my two of my five-year-old grandchildren and one three year-old so the parents could go on a small vacation. I found this perfect to read to my they right before bed, a little at a time.
The only problem with this, is they are so enthralled with the adventurous plot and the characters they never want me to stop. My saving grace is that I tell them that we will read again tomorrow.
Now let me introduce you to R.F. Kristi and her book, THE CAT DETECTIVES IN
RUSSIA: THE CASE OF THE MISSING FABERGÉ EGG.
ABOUT THE BOOK
THE CAT DETECTIVES IN
RUSSIA: THE CASE OF THE MISSING FABERGÉ EGG
By R.F. Kristi
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An amazing adventure in Russia. Can one cat
detective find the missing Fabergé Egg? Inca the Siberian Kitty can’t wait to visit
her homeland, Russia. The detective kitty learns that a local museum needs her
crime-solving skills to track down a valuable stolen Fabergé Egg. With her
trusty diary in tow, Inca leaps whisker-first down a trail of clues that leads
into the famous Peterhof Palace located in Peterhof close to Saint Petersburg,
Russia. She learns about the country’s rich history
and just how important it is to restore the famous Fabergé Egg to its rightful
place in the Fabergé Museum. With a little help from
her furry family and friends, particularly the marvelous little robot, Jibo,
Inca can feel she’s close to getting her claws on the valuable Egg… but it’ll
take teamwork to save a priceless piece of history.
R.F. KRISTI
Tell your readers a
little about yourself. Where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to
school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
Kristi grew up in Sri
Lanka, a small gem of an island in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean. She
graduated from universities in the United States of America and
the United Kingdom. She currently lives between Paris, France, Colombo, Sri
Lanka, and California, USA.
Her career as an
international civil servant started at UNICEF headquarters in New York. As a
UNICEF staff member, she worked and lived in New York-USA, Hanoi-Vietnam,
Monrovia-Liberia. She has traveled to a host of other countries.
Children’s issues have
always been at the forefront of her mind. She is passionate about protecting
and promoting the well-being of animals. Her love of animals and educating
young minds to protect and respect animals was a natural milieu when she
started writing children’s books.
What inspired you to
write this book?
The series is based on Kristi’s
beloved pet cats, Inca and Cara. Kristi works with destitute and abandoned dogs
and cats in sunny Sri Lanka. She wanted to inspire children to love and respect
animals. A former UNICEF professional, she wishes to encourage reading amongst
children. What better way to do so than
by encouraging children to read about some fun animal characters who are
detectives?
She says, “The
intelligence of cats has always fascinated me. Especially Inca, a Siberian
kitten I had the good fortune to acquire while in Paris. Cats are independent
and intelligent. Watching Inca and Cara, a blue-eyed Siamese I had brought in
as a companion for Inca made me imagine the cat detective series. Not to neglect dogs, there are some smart and
brave detective dogs also participating in the series.”
Where did you get the
inspiration for your book’s cover?
Kristi’s stories are written
from following her extensive travels. For example, the ‘Cats in Russia: The
Case of the Missing Fabergé Egg” was written after a cultural visit to Moscow
and Saint Petersburg.
Who has been the biggest influence on you personally and as a
writer?
Kristi is an avid reader.
One could say that all authors inspired her to read and also write. One author,
in particular, stands out: She enjoyed
very much the books of the English author Gerald Durrell, a popular naturalist,
conservationist, television host, and author, credited with redefining the
modern zoo.
What were your struggles
or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
Kristi is frank on this
subject. She says, “to be honest, there were no struggles or obstacles to writing
this particular book. Following my first visit to Russia, I definitely wanted
young readers to enrich themselves by understanding more about Russia and its
rich cultural heritage.”
Tell your readers about
your book.
THE CAT DETECTIVES IN
RUSSIA: THE CASE OF THE MISSING FABERGÉ EGG is the 9th standalone children’s
book in the Diary of a Snoopy Cat series, which is purrfect for kids
ages 5-12 and also animal lovers. For those folks who have not traveled or
visited Russia, it would prove a pleasant mental walk-about of this fascinating
country. If you and your children like new cultural experiences, animal
detectives, and tales of teamwork, then you’ll love R.F. Kristi’s globetrotting
adventures.
Who is your target
audience, and why?
Kristi believes that all
children would enjoy reading this particular book in the Inca Cat Detective
series. So would their parents. She
says, “Animal lovers, particularly cats, and dog lovers would also surely enjoy
the antics of these furry animals. Also, the reader will be introduced to a
magnificent little robot named Jibo.
If you were going to give
one reason for anyone looking at your book to read, why should they buy it?
Kristi believes that
readers will discover Russia through the eyes of a furry detective team and
have a laugh while learning about its culture.
What do you consider your
greatest success in life?
Kristi’s considers her career
with the United Nations Specialized Agencies, particularly in UNICEF, where she
was able to contribute to the welfare and rights of children a major success in
her life.
Everyone has life lessons
to learn, tell your readers one or two of yours and how they make you the person
you are today.
Having grown up with and loved animal companions all her life,
Kristi realized that animals do play a major role in the lives of many
children. Several scientific reviews have remarked that pets are linked to the
psychological well-being of children. Kristi attempts to promote the concept of
teaching children to love and respect animals as growing up with pets is linked
to higher self-esteem, cognitive development, and social skills. In her 2008
book The Powerful Bond Between People and Pets, psychologist Elizabeth Anderson
wrote, “Nothing less than alchemy is involved when animals and children get
together, and the resulting magic has healing properties that work well.”
What one unique thing
sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
Kristi writes for
pleasure. She also writes to contribute
proceeds from the sale of her books to animal rescue efforts. She has established
a refuge in Sri Lanka where sick and abandoned street dogs and cats are rescued
and natured.
Tell your readers
anything else you want to share.
Kristi says, “I have
always enjoyed reading. Even as a child,
my favorite pastime was reading. In addition, animals have always been a part
of my life. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t own a cat or a dog. While
working for UNESCO Paris, I had the urge to write for children, mainly to
encourage them to appreciate animals and to consider animals as living
breathing beings with thoughts and feelings. I also learned about the benefits
reaped by children growing up with animals. So, what better way to encourage
children to love and appreciate animals than by reading adventure stories about
animals.”
