Looking for their next great book series this Christmas?
Meet Casper first.
Casper is a clever little city cat who accidentally falls asleep in the wrong car, and wakes up lost in the African bush. Her story is told in ten illustrated chapter books for young readers aged 5–10.
Before you buy a single book, we'd like you to meet her.
Press play. Listen to the story sample below. Casper will tell you what to do next.
Hello! You're about to meet Casper… a little black cat with sticky-up hair, one green eye and one brown one. Casper lives in a pretty city with lots of roads and lots of trees. And one sunny afternoon, on her way home, she does something very, very silly…
She jumped through the window and explored every part of the shiny car. It had lots of junk, clothes, and even a nice warm blanket which smelled faintly of wood smoke, just like the fire her mum and dad lit on cold nights. Casper curled up for what she promised herself would be “just for a minute.”
The warm afternoon sun had other ideas.
Before you could say goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite… Casper was fast asleep.
When Casper woke up it took her a minute to remember where she was. All she knew was that it was very, very dark outside. What if she had missed dinner! She was absolutely starving! She jumped out of the window and ran as fast as she could down the road.
Suddenly, she stopped.
Wait, she thought, this isn’t my road.
She looked around. There were no lights, no fences, and definitely no houses. There was nothing at all except a long road that stretched out in front of her forever, leading into the very dark and scary night.
Oh, my willy whiskers! she thought. Where am I?
Where is Casper? And how will she ever find her way home? If you'd like to share the rest of her first adventure with a young reader, you'll need Casper's secret word. Her secret word is… PANGO. That's P… A… N… G… O. Type it into the box below, and we'll send you The Pangolins to read and listen to together, with an activity pack full of colouring pages and puzzles to explore.
Try Casper before putting her under the tree.
We're introducing families to Casper ahead of Christmas, because choosing a new book series for a child or grandchild isn't easy.
Listen to Casper first. If you'd like to discover more, unlock a free Casper adventure to read, listen to and explore together.
If your family loves her, Casper's first four printed adventures are waiting in the Casper's Adventure Begins Book Bundle, ready to go under the tree.
No pressure. Meet her first.
Casper's on her way!
Look out for an email from us in the next few minutes with The Pangolins, the audiobook, the activity pack and your Parent Guide. If it isn't in your inbox, have a peek in your Promotions or spam folder.
Here's everything you'll get
- The complete first book: The Pangolins, as a beautifully illustrated ebook.
- The full, unabridged audiobook: almost an hour of listening, perfect for car trips and bedtime.
- A 120+ page activity pack: colouring pages from the book's own illustrations, puzzles, and the real animals behind the adventure.
- A Parent Guide: ideas for reading and exploring the story together.
- A place in Casper's Reading Circle: our free email newsletter for families who love Casper.
Meet Casper
Casper is a small black African city cat with sticky-up hair, one green eye and one brown eye. All the neighbourhood cats call her the cat with two hearts.
Lost far from home, she has to rely on bravery, kindness and unexpected friendships as she tries to find her way home through the African bush.
She may be small, but she never stops trying.
“She is tiny. She is lost. She knows it. And she still tries to help anyway.”
Literary Titan ★★★★★
Meet some of her friends
Junior
Book 1: The PangolinsA tiny young pangolin who's sure he can't… until he does.
Bugle
Book 2: The ElephantsA baby elephant who thinks everything is funny.
Jerry
Book 3: The GiraffesA giraffe so tall he can't hear Casper from all the way up there, so he offers her a ride on his back.
Henry
Book 4: The BaboonsA baboon who wakes Casper by bouncing her branch, then laughs so hard the whole tree shakes.
Hasani
Book 5: The LionsA lion who insists he and Casper are related, and who loves a good jump scare.
Felicity
Book 6: The OstrichesA young ostrich with nineteen quiet brothers, and enough talk for all twenty of them.
Casper may be small, but she never journeys alone. Each new friend teaches her something about courage, kindness and seeing the world a little differently.
Ready to meet them all?
Casper's first adventure is free: the ebook, the audiobook and the activity pack. All you need is her secret word.
Why families and classrooms love Casper
Story first. Learning naturally.
- Encourages courage, kindness and empathy
- Written for ages 5–10: ideal for reading aloud and for emerging independent readers
- Short, discussion-friendly chapters
- Real African wildlife woven into the adventure
- Conservation themes presented with empathy
- Fun animal facts at the back of every book
What reviewers are saying
“Casper is a courageous, honest character, and the story is told with plenty of humor and descriptions that transport you right into it.”
Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★, on Book 1
“…lessons in compassion, understanding, and respect, delivered with warmth, wit, and memorable adventure.”
The Children’s Book Review, on the series
“Casper’s journey blends slapstick fun with heart…”
Kirkus Reviews, on Book 3
“…brings the African landscape and its inhabitants to vibrant life…”
The Children’s Book Review, on Book 1
A note from Jennifer
When I first imagined Casper, she was simply a small city cat far from home.
But as her journey unfolded, she became something more — a reminder that courage doesn’t always roar, and that even the smallest among us can make a difference.
These stories were born from my deep love of Africa’s wildlife and the quiet connections that bind us to the natural world. I wanted to create adventures that feel exciting without being frightening, meaningful without being preachy, and gentle enough to open a child’s heart to curiosity and compassion.
That’s why I’d love you to meet Casper first, and to share her very first adventure with you.
I hope that when you step into Casper’s world, you find laughter, wonder, and perhaps a few small conversations that linger long after the final page.
Thank you for being here.
Warmly,
Jennifer Ussi
Author, The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa
Thousands of families have started their African adventure with Casper.
Ready to meet her?
Listen and find the secret word
Already sure? Casper's first four printed adventures are in the Casper's Adventure Begins Book Bundle.