The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages: 6-10 | 82 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2026) | ISBN: 978-1923356269
Publisher’s Book Summary: What happens when the fastest birds on Earth would rather hide than face the truth—and a tiny lost cat refuses to look away?
In The Ostriches, Casper’s journey east leads her into the wide-open savannah, where danger is approaching fast…and no one wants to admit it. The ostriches have perfected the art of avoidance—heads down, problems ignored—but when real threats close in, Casper must help them discover that bravery isn’t about speed or strength, but about choosing to see what matters.
Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, sharp dialogue, and heartfelt wisdom, this story tackles big ideas—fear, denial, courage, and responsibility—in a way that feels playful, empowering, and deeply relatable for young readers. As always, Casper’s kindness, quick thinking, and gentle leadership prove that even the smallest voice can inspire change.
Beautifully illustrated and seamlessly blending adventure, humour, and wildlife education, The Ostriches is a standout chapter in the series—perfect for readers aged 6–10, classroom discussions, and families who love stories with both heart and substance.
A fast-paced, funny, and meaningful read that sparks conversations long after the last page.
Ideal for reviewers who love spotlighting children’s books with depth, charm, and purpose.
Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Ussi is an award-winning filmmaker and children’s author whose work has screened at international festivals and cinemas worldwide. With a background spanning feature films, television, commercials, and education, she brings a cinematic eye and a storyteller’s heart to everything she creates.
The idea for The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa didn’t arrive at a desk—it emerged on the road. Over two years, Jennifer and her husband explored the wilds of Africa in an ancient campervan, camping in wildlife reserves, and sharing their days with elephants, birdsong, dust, stars, and stories. Armed with her camera and an insatiable desire to observe and imagine, Jennifer absorbed the landscapes and rhythms of life close to nature—experiences that now pulse through every page of the Casper series.
Her work blends adventure with authenticity, using storytelling to spark curiosity, build empathy, and invite young readers to see the natural world—and their place within it—just a little differently.
Discover more from the author at their website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this series?
Jennifer Ussi - My hubby and I were travelling around Africa in our little old campervan and I happened to be sitting at a waterhole in Botswana, when I heard about a cat that had gotten lost in America, and walked about 300 miles to get home. I wondered how? Did she ask for directions from other cats or dogs or birds? And then I realised that would make such a lovely story – a cat that brings her city smarts to the bush, and the animals she meets gives her their bush smarts, and together, through team work and cooperation, they all achieve their goals.
Life Is What It's Called - What makes this book stand apart from other books on the market?
Jennifer Ussi - From the reviews, I would say it’s a lot to do with the fact that you learn so much about all these animals, but in a fun adventure. We’re learning at the same time that Casper the cat is learning, so we’re reading it from her point of view, which is funny sometimes, because she’s as lost as we would be in the bush. So if anything, I’d say it’s a fun and funny way to learn so much about so many wonderful animals.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope readers will learn from this book?
Jennifer Ussi - I hope that readers learn something unique in each of the books. In this one, Book 6: The Ostriches, firstly, of course, it’s learning about ostriches, and a cheetah that wants to eat them, and a tortoise that helps them strategize. Oh and a dung beetle who’s desperate to win a dung ball rolling contest. (And very venomous red headed centipedes and a 3 toothed (tusked) warthog!) But more than that, I wrote this story to try and show that you shouldn’t believe the labels people give you. Just be you, and ignore what people call you. I hope that this message will get through to even just one reader!
Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite sentence that you wrote for this book and why?
Jennifer Ussi - Felicity plopped herself down next to Casper during one of their foraging stops, not saying a word, or even looking at her friend, the lost house cat. Casper smiled in the warmth of her silent companionship. She didn’t say anything either. They both seemed to understand that words were not needed in this quiet time of a friendship bonded by a little bit of trauma and a lot of trust.
I really like this paragraph because sometimes friendships are just about being there for each other, no words are necessary.
Life Is What It's Called - How long have you been writing children's books?
Jennifer Ussi - I started this series a bit over a year ago, and it’s my first children’s book series, but I did write a few scripts for (short) films – one of which won many Best Film Award at Children’s Film Festivals around the world.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you?
Jennifer Ussi - That’s a hard one, there’s not much to know about me except that I I love animals, and I just truly want everyone to love them as much as I do, and maybe one day we can wipe out hunting and eradicate the problem of homeless pets worldwide. That’s really my passion, and I absolutely love sharing it through Casper, who I also absolutely love! When I’m not writing one of her adventures, I really miss her, and can’t wait to get her back.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on next?
Jennifer Ussi - Casper is still not home, so I’m working on the Africa series. She still has a lot to learn about so many animals in Africa, which means I still have a lot to learn. And that’s only Africa. I don’t know anything about South American jungle animals.. neither does she, so I wonder….
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win one of ten paperback copies of The Ostriches by Jennifer Ussi. One grand prize winner will receive paperback copies of the first six books in The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa series!
The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches: Book Giveaway
This post is sponsored by Jennifer Ussi. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
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