Basil and the Cave of Cats

First book in the series is great, but this one is a bit of a narrative mess. Too much happens too quickly with too many characters.

While I enjoyed this book and it's premise, sort of a children's version of Sherlock Holmes, I have some concerns about some of the content. Maybe because it was published in the 1950s the content is seen as acceptable, but to me it rings a bit like the attitudes so prevalent during the colonial era, when powerful outside countries moved into smaller, supposedly less civilized countries and saved the so-called 'heathens'. This book unfortunately and probably inadvertently rings of some of that sort of attitude. Part of the story focuses on archaeology which is fine in and of itself, but when Basil and his cohorts arrive at the island of Kataarh and start digging they discover the remains of a mouse city and somehow dig most of it out in a matter of days/weeks? But do they give the artifacts to the miniature cats to whom they belong? Nope, they load them up on their ship to take with them, despite the fact that Basil can speak the native language. And the others, including Dawson take it on themselves to create a map of the island, naming features as they see fit because the cats seem 'dull-witted' and 'primitive' and immediately think Basil should be their king.And the coincidences were a little hard for me to accept. For example, at one point in the story Basil and Dawson end up in the dungeon of a palace, which just happens to have an escape tunnel attached to it that leads them to their friend the Maharajah that they are there to rescue. And Basil on board the ship Rosetta after leaving Bengistan somehow doesn't recognize his arch-enemy Ratigan in disguise?In addition, everyone on the island ends up having to flee because of the erupting volcano, and Basil takes upon himself the job of 'king' to persuade the cats to leave with them, and then back in London, the mice decide how and where the cats are to live and the cats are simply 'content' with it all. While the intentions of the book are good, I can't say that I can recommend this particular volume in the series. This book contains too much that is reminiscent of colonial imperialism.

I bought this to find a fun book for my first grade students who are reading above grade level. I really enjoyed the story and felt with guidance on some of the vocabulary, the story fits the bill. Most second graders and all third graders would enjoy this book. Nice illustration, well paced, interesting.

Fine children's book. Basilpopular with almost all readersit seems. Good quick read for8 year olds "give or take"

gift for my grandson. He liked it.