Some children’s stories entertain for an afternoon, while others create conversations that continue long after the final page. The Adventures of Digger the Magic Cat: The Jewel of the River by J. B. Anderson, with the original story written by Michael Crolius, aims to deliver that lasting experience through adventure, imagination, illustrations, and thoughtful questions.
An Adventure Built for Curious Young Readers
Designed for readers ages 6 to 14, the book is an original animal adventure that invites children into a world filled with discovery. Its story combines mystery, action, memorable characters, and situations that encourage young readers to think about the people and communities around them.
The book contains twenty-one chapters and twenty-seven illustrations, giving children regular visual moments as they progress through the narrative. Its structure also makes it suitable for family reading, particularly for parents who enjoy reading longer stories aloud. Each chapter becomes an opportunity to experience another part of the adventure together while discussing what the characters encounter along the way. Illustrations throughout the book help bring Digger and the settings to life, which makes the story especially inviting for children who enjoy picturing a scene as they read.
The opening chapter quickly establishes the book’s descriptive approach. Readers enter a valley called Paradise, where cabins, oak trees, streams, mountains, and an aging pickup truck create an inviting wilderness setting. Sam’s morning walk begins peacefully after a storm, yet his surroundings soon suggest that an ordinary trip through the woods could develop into something far more eventful.
That sense of anticipation grows when Sam encounters three dogs watching him intently. The scene shows how the story can shift naturally from detailed observations of nature to suspense. Younger readers have scenery they can picture, movement they can follow, and an immediate reason to wonder what will happen next. The characters and setting give children something memorable to return to, so the adventure stays with them after each reading session.
Food For Thought and the Creative Minds Behind Digger
A defining feature of the book appears after every chapter through its “Food For Thought” questions. These prompts encourage discussion about events in the story, life lessons, relationships, acceptance, collaboration, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ matters, and other subjects children may encounter as their understanding of the wider world develops.
This format gives parents another way to participate in the reading experience. Families can talk about character decisions, motivations, consequences, and different perspectives after each chapter. Children can form their own interpretations and explain why a particular moment stood out to them. Each question gives parents and children a natural starting point for a longer conversation.
Professional reviewers have also responded positively. The author reports that six professional reviewers gave the book five stars, praising its acceptance, collaboration, inclusivity, curiosity, and independent thinking.
The project brings together the creative experiences of two people. Burt, the author, took the original story, rewrote it, illustrated it, and added the discussion questions that close each chapter, working under contract as co-author. He also helped develop several versions of the book, including a French edition. Michael, a professional musician who runs his own studio, wrote the original tale and has produced nearly a dozen albums. Digger is his first book.
Both men are entrepreneurs who worked together for five years on Hawaii Island as home builders, including a 43-home subdivision in Hilo.
The Adventures of Digger the Magic Cat: The Jewel of the River is available in Kindle and paperback editions on Amazon. The Kindle edition was released on July 18, 2026, and the paperback followed on July 19, 2026. The paperback runs 200 pages, while the Kindle edition is 168 pages, giving families a choice between print and digital reading.
About the Author
J. B. “Burt” Anderson was born in Brooklyn, New York, and began writing seriously in 1970 and has authored more than twenty books. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Marketing and Finance, along with a Degree of Distinction in Photography. His professional background includes work as a builder and developer, Realtor, financial planner, Wall Street securities principal, and entrepreneur.
Burt is also a longtime MENSA member, Vietnam-era Army veteran, experienced public speaker, and former local television host. He has lived in several U.S. states and traveled to thirty-five countries. He has also earned more than thirty-five Senior Olympics medals across golf, basketball, pistol, rifle, and billiards.
A Story Families Can Explore Together
Young readers get an imaginative journey here, with room for questions, reflection, and family conversation. Its combination of adventure, illustrations, and chapter-by-chapter discussion prompts makes the reading experience something parents and young readers can share and remember together. Parents looking for a story that entertains and encourages conversation will find a welcoming option here.