Wild Cats, Volume One

I like graphic novels, but it's kind of ok.

I was not sure what to make of this book after seeing that the characters were CGI but I was surprised by how good the images were, its a fun book to read. The story centres around two young wildlife enthusiasts who have been chosen to work on an exciting wild cat project. The book comes with some good facts and some absolutely fantastic photos, I look forward to the next in the series. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not to be confused with Wild Cats Volume 1 by Jen Weston (which I haven't read), this is a children's book designed to heighten awareness of the plight of threatened species on Earth namely (in this case and in the case of this planned eight-volume series), the wild cats. In the series, Suki and Finch will travel around the Globe. They're two young teens who have been lucky enough to be selected to study and catalog threatened wild cat species across the world. Yes, it's a bit unlikely given that they have no training and are doing this alone, but it's a kids book for goodness sakes! Anything can happen!

They set off for the north-west USA and eventually head into Canada and the great white north! On the journey they pick up a couple of associates in the form of Tip the lynx and Screech the falcon, both of whom, despite their smart-mouthing each other, decide to accompany the pair on their travels.

The journey isn't an easy one. It takes a long time and they have issues - issues you wouldn't expect in a children's book of this nature. For example, they're chased out of a cabin by a very aggressive man who owns the place and has no time, evidently, for children, not even ones on such a noble mission. Finch has a night-time sleep issue with which many younger children might be familiar - and I'm not talking about nightmares. This causes a fight between him and Suki.

Both the kids look like they're borderline under-nourished (a condition which held before they embarked on this trip!). I think this appearance was rather uncalled for, but that aside, and keeping in mind the surrealism of their adventure (they break the fourth wall more than once!), the story was fun, fascinating and engrossing. The humor was great, and the kids' dedication to their mission, despite problems and a bout of home-sickness, is commendable.

I recommend this book. There are so many problems with planet Earth that it's hard to know where to start, and it's worse to not start because of such paralysis. In the end, the problems we have created are going to have to be solved by our children and their, because let's face it, we adults are doing diddly right now. I think this book is a great start in addressing one of those problems - species decimation caused by we greedy, blind, and careless humans.

The information in the book is good and accurate and it is interesting to see how Suki & Finch does their big cats research. I also liked the images of the animals and the small factboxes. However I think the story could have benefited from being more like ordinary comic books, instead of pretending it was some sort of social media. Also who took the pictures all of them were in? Though I do believe the story can be somewhat engaging for kids I also think they will be slightly uncomfortable with some of the content.

Wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I wasn't disappointed with the results. Definitely a new kind of graphic novel for kids that I think they'll gravitate to. It would really be good to hear that there's a tie-in interactive website to go along with this series - kinda like with the wildly popular The 39 Clues series.

Either way, an unexpectedly good read! Great for kids.

Young animal lovers will probably be attracted to this book due to the excellent photo grade illustrations along with the graphic format. The links to google maps can be helpful if this book is used as part of a geographic area project.

Wild Cats is an educational graphic novel series combining CG characters with photography. As part of a young explorers program, Suki and Finch travel the world to learn about 36 different species of cats in the wild. Over the course of their travels, they learn about various threats to the species such as habitat loss and poaching, as well as conservation efforts. Readers can follow along with Suki and Finch through Facebook and Google maps. The first volume covers Cougars, Bobcats, and Canada Lynx.

The goal of Wild Cats is admirable. If conservation efforts are to be successful, it is important that children learn early on about the wide variety of endangered species and how we can make a difference. Wild Cats also includes facts about the landscape and the various other animals indigenous to the areas explored.

I do not approve of the inclusion of Tip, a Canadian Lynx, as a companion. One problematic issue that is largely ignored is the private ownership of big cats. These animals are not pets. They require specialized veterinary care, food and handling, and are extremely dangerous even when raised by humans. Having the children approach a lynx as if it was a domestic cat and then include it on their travels sends the wrong message to children and adults.

I also think the visit to the North Pole and the time spent with Santa detracts from the rest of the first volume.

While not without problems, Wild Cats has potential. It is a good way to introduce younger readers to the various species of big cats and the threats to their habitat.

I received a copy of Wild Cats volume 1 from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

This is probably the best book I've seen courtesy of netgalley proof copies yet have abandoned midway. It has a brilliant distinctive look – a great format to show off a large 3D styled image on every page or spread, with only a side panel for dialogue to tell what poses as story. The narrative as such is two cosmopolitan kids winning a competition that sends them off (alone, it seems) around the world to survey the remaining big cat species, as you do, and this volume is the first of eight – EIGHT – planned to cover the globe. And with a charitable bent it's a brilliant project and one I heartily approve of, and I can't dismiss the resulting books as edutainment – until, that is, one of the cats starts to chat to the kids. Yes, the three-way conversation just killed the book for me (as a mature adult reviewer, of course, not the primary school-aged reader as intended). Before then it was cheesy, clunky, silly, and with the kids acknowledging their own fictional status, far too meta for its own good, but at least it bore some semblance of the reality such a book needed. As a result I can see some kids throwing it against the wall and turning to something else, as I metaphorically did, which is a great shame, for the message and knowledge it can impart, in such a colourful and professional way, was ruined by some idiotic decisions, when it was really important, useful, educational and, to some small extent, entertaining. I hope there are enough nature-friendly and cat-inquisitive readers around to make this book a hit, but I would have wanted it to be better to guarantee more audience.

I judge this book based on what my niece thought of it. She loved the pictures and learning about wild cats. I say SCORE!! :-)

This is a very interesting and interactive book in the way that you are supposed to feel as though you are on the expedition with Suki and Fitch to count the wild cats in the wilds starting in Canada. So as you trek through Canada looking for their three native wild cats and counting them you also learn a lot more about Canada and the wildlife there but in a high tech very fun way. The images are fun and very high resolution and realistic looking. This is a very fun and interesting book, it would be awesome for reluctant readers or a wonderful book for a crossover from non-fiction to fiction book. The illustrations look sharp and awesome in the copy I had, I can only guess how awesome it is going to look in the final release. I don't want to ruin the book but the friends they make along the way are just the best and as you can see from the cover can be a bit entertaining.

http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=54435

Stunning wildlife images in this beautiful YA graphic novel

My students enjoyed this. Perfect for reading outloud as a class. This book is laid out in a "play" type fashion with each character is given their own lines to read. The children enjoyed taking turns reading for Suki and Finch. Filled with facts and fun, this was an enjoyable addition to the classroom.

Good pictures & history of the animals, but I don't think I would continue with the series.

I read this book with my daughter and she loved it! The illustrations in the book were so interesting and she learned lots.

A uniquely illustrated coming of age story sees unique characters in a story that isn't for everyone. Those who can connect to it will find a great deal of enjoyment.