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Chacha Chaudhary
Cairo Jim on the Trail to ChaCha Muchos: An Epic Tale of Rhythm
New correct paperback
188 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 1993
6 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey McSkimming
64 books26 followersGeoffrey McSkimming is the author of both the Cairo Jim and Joscelyn Osgood series, featuring an archaeologist and his flight attendant friend. Geoffrey's verse has been published in the NSW and Victorian School Magazines. He is currently working on a stage adaptation of Cairo Jim on the Trail to ChaCha Muchos (in conjunction with St Martins: THe Victorian Centre for Youth Arts), and a new Jocelyn Osgood adventure.
He has travelled widely in order to research for his books, including Egypt, Peru, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Greece, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Singapore and other locations.
He has travelled widely in order to research for his books, including Egypt, Peru, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Greece, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Singapore and other locations.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 23, 2018
I've never really enjoyed audiobooks - except for this series. Cairo Jim on the Trail to Chacha Muchos is the first in a children's series which follows the adventures of archaeologist Cairo Jim and his friends, who include Jocelyn Osgood, Doris the macaw and Brenda the wonder camel.
I loved listening to these books as a kid, and listened to it just yesterday during a long road trip. The author himself narrates all of the audiobooks, and he does a fabulous job, using different voices for all of the characters, and making all of the action sound interesting. I generally find it difficult to just listen to stories, I much prefer to read them, but every time I listen to Cairo Jim I am completely engaged in the story.
In my opinion, this first book is one of the strongest of the series, although I do enjoy all of them. The characters are interesting, as are the mysterious archaeological finds that Cairo Jim and his friends go searching for. Although these are fictional archaeological finds, the settings are real, and the finds are often based in real history – e.g attached to real ancient figures – or are at the very least inspired by real ancient history.
As a kid who loved mythology and ancient history, I adored these books. As an adult listening to them again, I am still as amused by the same shenanigans and love the characters and the plot just as much. It's just so much fun. I however do recommend that you listen to the audiobooks – the books just don't hold quite the same level of interest once you have heard McSkimming's great narration.
I loved listening to these books as a kid, and listened to it just yesterday during a long road trip. The author himself narrates all of the audiobooks, and he does a fabulous job, using different voices for all of the characters, and making all of the action sound interesting. I generally find it difficult to just listen to stories, I much prefer to read them, but every time I listen to Cairo Jim I am completely engaged in the story.
In my opinion, this first book is one of the strongest of the series, although I do enjoy all of them. The characters are interesting, as are the mysterious archaeological finds that Cairo Jim and his friends go searching for. Although these are fictional archaeological finds, the settings are real, and the finds are often based in real history – e.g attached to real ancient figures – or are at the very least inspired by real ancient history.
As a kid who loved mythology and ancient history, I adored these books. As an adult listening to them again, I am still as amused by the same shenanigans and love the characters and the plot just as much. It's just so much fun. I however do recommend that you listen to the audiobooks – the books just don't hold quite the same level of interest once you have heard McSkimming's great narration.
Want to read
May 22, 2025It is with much regret that I am putting this on the did not finish shelf. The Bolinda edition was read by the author, and I found he was a little fast, especially in action scenes. Mind you, I like a slow narrator, so this probably wouldn't bother others.
I also must confess that I didn't actually like the book very much. I frankly don't understand why. I should have liked it, a humorous children's adventure should be just right for me. And I own an anthology of poetry for children by the author, which I love. I can only conclude that the narration turned me off the content.
I also must confess that I didn't actually like the book very much. I frankly don't understand why. I should have liked it, a humorous children's adventure should be just right for me. And I own an anthology of poetry for children by the author, which I love. I can only conclude that the narration turned me off the content.
May 6, 2016
Sooooo funny!! I know now that this is a YOUTH book..but I enjoyed it immensely. A great break from adult books. Definitely a book to pass to younger youth..maybe inspire them somewhat to travel.
A couple of quotes from the silliest character....
Cairo Jim...
"Well, sharpen my head and call me a pyramid."
"Well, plant me in the sand and call me an obelisk."
A couple of quotes from the silliest character....
Cairo Jim...
"Well, sharpen my head and call me a pyramid."
"Well, plant me in the sand and call me an obelisk."
December 9, 2009
This was absolutely my favourite book when I was a kid, and I have fond memories of aping it when I was in Year Seven to write a story about my class's travels to the Amazon - the zenith of my literary career.
December 3, 2017
I've read this countless times. A perfect introduction to one of my favourite series from when I was a kid. Plus this and most of the series were signed by the author when I got the chance to meet him at a bookstore.
May 28, 2008
Hehehehe! I love this series, their some of the only books that I like to re-read. I really recommend them to anyone who likes light-hearted humour and puns!
January 30, 2017
Super fun book perfect for ages 12+. I loved Cairo Jim when I was a kid, and after a 14 year gap, I still find the books engaging and loveable. Can't wait to enjoy the rest of the series.
May 1, 2014
The story introduces us to Cairo Jim, well-known archaeologist and little-known poet, on his quest to discover Cha Cha Muchos: The Lost City of Dancers. Little does he know that the devious and slimy Neptune Bone, is also on a quest to discover this mystical place however not for the same upstanding reasons as Cairo Jim. Who will be the one to find it first and will Cairo Jim be able to stop the notorious Neptune Bone before it’s too late?
The story is aimed at older children however can be enjoyed by all ages. It was well written and easy to understand. The humour was very much aimed at older children and some of the text was a little bit over the top, however again, it was perfect for its target audience.
The characters were developed nicely for the length of the story and there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary background information that most children couldn’t give a rip about.
The story grabbed you from the start and there was enough mystery throughout to keep you on your toes. Some of the storyline was quite predictable however honestly the main plot kept me guessing right up until the very end. The fact that a children’s book was able to keep an adult guessing goes to show the ability of the author. There are a lot of adult novels out there that don’t live up to that standard.
Overall I really enjoyed reading the book (I’ve actually read it before when I was in primary school however much to my horror that was around fifteen years ago so as you can see, the story wasn’t quite fresh in my brain). I would definitely feel comfortable letting my children read this book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read a bit of a silly albeit well done mystery/adventure.
www.readingforthemasses.wordpress.com
The story is aimed at older children however can be enjoyed by all ages. It was well written and easy to understand. The humour was very much aimed at older children and some of the text was a little bit over the top, however again, it was perfect for its target audience.
The characters were developed nicely for the length of the story and there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary background information that most children couldn’t give a rip about.
The story grabbed you from the start and there was enough mystery throughout to keep you on your toes. Some of the storyline was quite predictable however honestly the main plot kept me guessing right up until the very end. The fact that a children’s book was able to keep an adult guessing goes to show the ability of the author. There are a lot of adult novels out there that don’t live up to that standard.
Overall I really enjoyed reading the book (I’ve actually read it before when I was in primary school however much to my horror that was around fifteen years ago so as you can see, the story wasn’t quite fresh in my brain). I would definitely feel comfortable letting my children read this book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read a bit of a silly albeit well done mystery/adventure.
www.readingforthemasses.wordpress.com
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May 11, 2011muy interesante libro uno de la serie
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May 14, 2011Es una historia muy entretenida y no se como conseguir los demas.
October 22, 2012
I love Doris, but this book could have been greatly improved with more Brenda. I mean, let's face it, what book couldn't be improved by the addition of a Wonder Camel?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews