The Mummy's Curse is a new tale for young readers in the Museum Kittens series by Holly Webb. Released 12th Oct 2021 by Tiger Tales Books, it's 160 pages and is available in paperback format.
This is a very simply written and whimsically illustrated adventure style chapter book about a group of kittens tasked with guarding a museum. They are varied in size and ability and the author makes them understandable and realistic to the target audience by showing them experiencing and learning from frustration (and problem solving) as well as fear, bravery, differences, and supporting one another. There are also themes of found/blended family, work, and cooperation.
The book is peppered with monochrome pen & ink illustrations by Sarah Lodge which support and expand the text and are full of small details which invite a lingering look.
There's a lot of action and adventure along the way with the exhibits in the museum providing a backdrop for some educational tidbits in the form of Egyptian and natural history. Although most adults should be shaking their heads over the shocking lack of archival protocol in this shockingly lax museum (full of sleeping guards, marauding rat gangs, broken leaking pipes, flooding, and a pack of cats), it is a fun and full speed romp for younger readers. The author has also included a short author's notes at the end with interesting facts about Egyptian history, the Book of the Dead (funerary book from ancient Egypt), and cats.
This would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, reading circles, read-a-longs, and solo reading for youngsters.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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