Basil and the Cave of Cats (2)

Basil of Baker Street #3

by Eve Titus, Paul Galdone (Illustrations)

Named one of “13 Detective Book Series You Obsessed over as a Kid” by Buzzfeed.com and the inspiration for a hit Disney film, the masterful Great Mouse Detective series is now available to a whole new generation of readers!

Basil the mouse detective sets off on a journey to solve one of the greatest mysteries of mousedom: Do miniature cats exist? Leading mouse scientists aren’t certain, but they believe that answers can be found in India.

As Basil sets sail for the Far East—and the lost island of Kataarh—danger stalks him at every turn. Will Basil successfully unravel the mystery of these mini-cats and their mouse king?

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Animals, Audiobook, Historical

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Eve Titus was the author of numerous bestselling and beloved children's books.

Her most famous characters include Anatole, a French mouse and Basil of Baker Street, a mouse who works as a private eye. Her book, Anatole, won the 1957 Caldecott Honor Book award.

She died in 2002 in Orlando, Florida.

Reviews

[Dana-Adriana B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure again with Basil and dr Dawson. Lovely series! This time, the team is in search of the Lost Colony of miniature cats.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (5/10 hearts). This doesn’t feel quite as Sherlocky as the first two books, but it is enjoyable in spite of being a children’s book. It starts off with such a cool premise—pygmy cats?! And then a cat truce?? I really admired how the author pulled off the ancient mouse civilization and current mouse governments and mouse archaeology and everything. She's pretty convincing! The adventure was well done and quite interesting, and the cliffhanger/lead into the next story was quite intriguing and hooking! And may I repeat again that I love how much Basil mimics Sherlock—AND the hint that Sherlock knows and loves him?? <33

Cotent: There were a couple mentions of an ancient goddess worshipped by the pygmy cats/ancient mice, and a handful of euphemisms; also Basil tells the cats that their god spoke to him in the night. The word ‘god/goddess’ was always capitalized.

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “My mind's a blank,” said I. “What does it mean?”
“I'll give you a hint,” replied Basil. “It's in English ... and it's in the alphabet code.”
I sighed. “It might as well be in Martian!”
“[Dear me,] Dawson! It's a simple code in which the letters of the alphabet are moved to the left.”

[Luisa Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Eve Titus's characters, and when you combine her stories with Paul Galdone's illustrations - you get excellent entertainment!

Sherlock Holmes has a protege - a mouse, Basil of Baker Street. Like his human counterpart, he solves all kinds of daring mysteries that your family will enjoy. Clean, fun and makes a great read-aloud!

Reading Level: 2nd/3rd grades

Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 1 Incident: By Jove!
Religious Profanities - 2 Incidents: heavens!

Religious & Supernatural - 3 Incidents: Pertaining to archaeology, it mentions idols, gods and goddesses throughout the book. There is a friendly two-headed sea monster. Island natives think them must sacrifice to their god when a volcano erupts. Indirectly, Basil's actions imply that this is wrong.

Romance Related - None

Conversation Topics - 2 Incidents: Mentions swaying dancers. Mentions Mother Nature.

Parent Takeaway
Sherlock Holmes has a protege - a mouse, Basil of Baker Street. Like his human counterpart, he solves all kinds of daring mysteries that your family will enjoy. Clean, fun entertainment!

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the story in this one better, but it is definitely a product of its time. The title was clearly changed, as it should have been, from its original, but that also doesn't change the content from being something that wouldn't get published today. This is one to definitley talk about with your kids after reading. I also, from an anthropological perspective, really don't like them selling artifacts that aren't theirs. Really a product of its time, morally, ethically, personably, etc.

[Lady Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Basil's adventures continue in this third installment of the series, this time in the far east, where Basil must go to discover the lost civilization of "miniature cats".

In terms of how the story progressed, I'd say that this is the weakest of the lot thus far, in part because it feels less like a detective story and more like an ancient history lesson/ Granted, the author does set this up at the beginning by having Basil say that "archeology is the greatest detective work", but that only goes so far in terms of being true and in terms of capturing kids' interests.

To give the book credit though, the first third or so was interesting, in chief part due to Ratigan's involvement. The interactions between him and Basil area very well done, and indeed set up what would be a despicable and memorable villain in the Disney film.

However, after Ratigan is defeated (and, of course, escapes yet again, sure to show up in later adventures), the momentum of the story sort of grinds to a halt as the remainder is all about finding the miniature cats and their civilization, and....not much else. No conflict, no nefarious villains, nothing. It feels more like an educational experience at this point and less like an adventure, which I must admit did throw me off and make me lose interest quite a bit--hence the lower rating.

All in all though, still an entertaining series, and I'm curious to see where Basil's adventures will take him next--Mexico, really?!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun!

[Kate Willis · Rating 2 out of 5]

You've heard of the concept of a white savior? Get ready for Mouse Saviors! Also, exploration, archeology, removal of local artifacts, and primitive natives (in this case, cats). You know, all those good Victorian things.

This was cute and adventurous, but rather dated and not as charming as the first book in the series.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this installment of this clever series, Basil is called on to explore a lost island where it is said miniature cats live. Could it be true? Leave it to Basil to get to the bottom of things! Though entertaining for children, this one also has a message and a moral. You shouldn’t fear the unknown and you should help others when you can.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basil is the Sherlock Holmes of the mouse world. He listens in on the cases of the great Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street, to learn at the feet of the master. Then Basil can use that knowledge to solve mysteries among the mice of the world. When danger calls, Basil is on the case with his trusty friend, Dr. Dawson, at his side.

In this book, Dawson and Basil are traveling to find an ancient island. There is a legend that tiny cats were once ruled by benevolent mice on this isolated island. However, evil Ratigan is also on the hunt, and it's a race to see who will discover the lost island first.

I love this story so much! I have always been a fan of the Great Mouse Detective cartoon, so I was delighted to discover that the movie was based on a book series. The writing is charming, the story is exciting, and the mystery is full of wild clues that only Basil can figure out. I also loved the adorable illustrations that bring the characters to life.

This chapter book would be perfect for young readers ages 6-10 who are starting to read on their own, but it is also enjoyable for older children to read. I loved reading it even as an adult!

[Rachel Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no complaints about this book. I love the story and the characters. I can’t wait for the next one. It was a well done cliffhanger for the next book, very casual.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was was sortof Sherlock Holmes meets Indiana Jones. Basil is not only the world's greatest mouse detective, he also has a hobby dabbling in archaeology (he discovered Rockhenge, you know). The story begins with Basil and Dawson planning a trip to Bengistan (near India) where Professor Ratigan (Basil's arch-enemy) has taken over the mousedom. As they are finalizing their plans, a scientist from the British Mousmopolitan Museum comes by with an ancient goblet with a design that seems to indicate that there is an island (very close to Bengistan--what a coincidence!) where pygmy cats are said to be ruled by mice. Would Basil like to join an expedition to find them? Well--of course! But first all the scientists must help him overthrow Ratigan. Which they do. Then they find the pygmy cats. And save them from a volcano--as well as many treasures from the fabled island. And all is well with the mouse world.

Whimsical fun with far less mystery and much adventure. Still sure to appeal to young readers.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Susam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Stiby (María MV) · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me ha gustado mucho la historia sobre los minigatos, y el libro no me ha parecido tan tierno como los dos primeros. Además creo que tiene menos ilustraciones.

El concepto del colonialismo y pretender que gracias a la llegada de alguien una tierra va a ser mucho mejor de lo que era antes solo porque lleven "civilización" (a cambio de robar cosas allí ejem ejem) pues me parece un poco feo, problemático e innecesario en la historia. Además los minigatos me han dado mucha pena.

Lo que sí que me ha gustado es el inicio con el tema de Ratigan y esos momentos de decir "si es que son tontisimos".

Creo que el siguiente puede gustarme más porque mi parte favorita de la lectura ha sido leer el avance de la siguiente entrega xD

Por último me ha hecho gracia darme cuenta de que todos los nombres al revés eran otros nombres en realidad. (Elotana vs Anatole, Eloyd vs Doyle, o Nagitar vs Ratigan)

[Christopher Rush · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed the second one, which must have been the one to introduce arch-villain Ratigan. This is almost nothing like book 1. In fact, it's not even really a detective story, at least, it doesn't feel like it. It's more like a Quatermain adventure written by Michael Crichton, bopping from place to place. Sure, they are looking for something (the apparently embarrassingly- or offensively-named eponymous cats), and thus "detecting" the location, but it doesn't feel like an investigation. Basil is more of an archaeologist than a detective here, which is fine. It moves the story, thin as it is, along at a wonderfully rapid pace. Our mice buddies are thrown immediately into the adventure, they get there, then go other places, are joined by hilariously-parodied other adventurey mice (maybe "hilariously" is a smidge generous, but "smirkily" is possibly not a word - it's the good, clean fun you'd need no explanation for if you were a youth when this came out ... in other words, kids in the 21st century will wholly miss the humor of it), and, though there is ups and downs, the downs last two or three sentences at most, until our heroes are out and about and moving on to the next exciting chapterlet. It's a far less emotional story than #1, and thus is likely a much better story for the kids.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

First sentence: Miniature cats! Breathes there, in all the world, a mouse who is not stirred by those two words? Did the miniature monsters actually exist? Our leading mouse scientists were not certain, but they all believed the answer would be found in the Orient.

Premise/plot: This one was originally titled Basil and the Pygmy Cats. (It's being rebranded/republished as Basil and the Cave of Cats. On this one Basil and Dr. David Q. Dawson go traveling the world. There are two sub-stories--they are out to help a friend/ruler get his kingdom back AND to solve the so-called mystery of if miniature cats ever existed.

My thoughts: I thought this one was lacking in mystery, lacking as a detective story. It's like the series has taken a turn from being a detective story with a traditional detective and turned into a archaeological quest. This one was 99% world-building. That sounds like it would be a good thing. But imagine it more as an encyclopedia type of world-building. Readers are essentially getting a text-book education on mouse lore that is thousands of years old. Was I interested? Not really. It requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief. Like mice traveling the globe; mice ruling countries. It was just a little too much for me to really enjoy. I much preferred the idea of a mouse living in a mouse town in the cellar of Sherlock Holmes' residence.

[Yukiraking · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a much more whimsical feel to it than the first one. This was an adventure story that had elements that brought back fond memories of Indiana Jones, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and of Gulliver's Travels. It didn't feel like Sherlock Holmes, which I must admit I found a tad disappointing. I also found myself confused about Ratigan. He was mentioned so casually, in a way that assumed I knew who he was (and I did, but not because of the books). It made me feel like perhaps I read the series out of order. According to the re-release in the edition I'm reading, this is the second one they released, which I felt meant I was meant to read it second. But Ratigan was cursing Basil, saying that he'd bested his "last time" but he wasn't going to win this time. As far as I'm aware, there wasn't a last time?

But again, I might've read them out of the intended order.

I enjoyed the adventurous elements of it, though I sorely missed the mystery of the first book. But it was just such a strange and fun story that I found myself insanely curious about how it would end. I'm going to continue onto the next book, and I hope I figure the Ratigan thing out.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun adventure! I love Basil, and love the way Titus tries to make Sherlock Holmes accessible to kids through these chapter books (although the language can make these difficult for younger readers to grasp. I guess kids were more well read when these were published.)

While parts of this story were a little too unbelievable, even for a mouse detective (Ratigan got away from the greatest mouse detective twice? In one book??), this book felt like Treasure Island meets mystery. Fun and unique.

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Disney's The Great Mouse Detective are quite likely to enjoy the Basil of Bakerstreet books by Eve Titus, which the movie is based on. The second book in the series was just as fun as the first. In "Basil and the Cave Cats" (originally published as "Basil and the Pygmy Cats") Basil is off on an archaeological expedition to discover a lost island where tiny cats were ruled by mice.

We read this book aloud (kids aged 4 - 12) and we all chuckled and laughed at various parts of the story, and enjoyed ourselves a great deal. Highly recommended.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying reading this series to my son-the writing is clever, the stories original, and of course-the references to Sherlock Holmes are great!

Unfortunately, this particular entry is likely one that can be skipped. It certainly hasn't aged well and demonstrates a fairly clear colonial and paternalistic mindset.

That being said-at an older age, this would be an excellent primer to use in discussing colonialism. It is a good way to show how good people can have very wrong ideas, and the damage those ideas can cause.

[Megan Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basil of Baker Street does it again!
Really fun story. Very entertaining, and a fun mouse-y twist on Sherlock Holmes.
Great story! Though it was a bit too short... I finished it in less than an hour.
And once again, the cover is too cute!
Excited to read the other Great Mouse Detective books by Eve Titus!

[Ollie Reeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The civilized mice rescue the dull-witted Pygmy islander cats from an erupting volcano and help themselves to a bounty of ancient treasure. Even though it's cats and mice more racist than I would expect from a 1970s children's story. I still enjoyed the book because it's Basil.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great beginner chapter book. Short, quick chapters with adventure and mystery. I love Sherlock Holmes and this is a great story to introduce children to Holmes. Basil of Baker Street is the great mouse detective!

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let’s face it, it’s just not that good. There’s imaginary creatures on an expedition to a remote island in the Indian Ocean. And that’s after Basil and Dawson stop a military coup. Same characters and charm though, but it didn’t further any character development or larger story arc with Ratigan.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally published in 1971, this has not aged well, with multiple cringe-inducing situations and language. I can see where this would have once been considered a classic of high adventure, I wouldn't recommend it now.

[Héctor Contreras Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basil does some Colonialism TM and becomes a Mouse-Savior
He's British and lives under the reign of Queen Victoria, what else is he gonna do?!
but he does it to miniature cats, the natural enemy of mice, so it's kind of Ok because they are cats after all

[Megan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite Basil I've read so far. As a lover of both mice AND cats, I couldn't resist the premise of a mysterious ancient tribe of miniature cats.

Always a pleasure, Eve Titus books offer a little dopamine boost on rainy days or for seasonal affective disorder. :)

[Selah · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series so far. I understand that it's a product of its time, but the racism and condescension towards the cats is extremely off putting.

[Edward Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and I really enjoyed this one. It was less of a mystery and more of an adventure, with another adventure wrapped inside. I think he's hooked on this series.

[Stasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

These illustrations are So. Stinking. Cute.

[Nikky3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

To cute.