The Detective Dog

A canine with a sophisticated olfactory sense saves the day in this sprightly tale showcasing Donaldson's (Zog and the Flying Doctors) finesse with rhythm and rhyming--and knack for delivering a message with humor. Nell spends most days sniffing out her master Peter's misplaced belongings and solving other conundrums. But on Mondays, she accompanies Peter to school, where students read her stories, and she savors her favorite smell: the aroma of books. Nell's sleuthing skills--and vibrant, detail-jammed pictures from Ogilvie (Izzy Gizmo)--kick into high gear when the classroom books disappear. Following the scent of the culprit's left-behind cap, Nell leads the way through a bustling town, with the kids and their teacher in dogged pursuit, to a book-filled backyard. There, a benign-looking fellow sporting a mop of red hair and an argyle sweater vest tearfully confesses: "Stealing is wrong--but I just meant to borrow./ I was planning to give all the books back tomorrow." Nell perks up at the word "borrow," and dashes off again, leading the gang to the library, where the reformed thief gets his first library card. A lyrical and visually energized celebration of books and reading. Ages 3-6. Author's agency: Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. Illustrator's agency: NB Illustration. (May)

K-Gr 2--Detective Dog Nell is always hot on a case--just how did that spider get into the bath, after all? Using her superpowers of smell, Nell is used to solving cases and saving the day with her human, six-year-old Peter. When she isn't on the job, the canine snoop goes to school with Peter and contentedly listens to the children reading stories aloud. But one day, Nell and Peter arrive at school only to find all the books are gone! The intrepid dog sets out to apprehend the book thief and save the day. The vibrant, rhyming narrative is paired with expressive, colorful illustrations. VERDICT A fun, engaging read-aloud choice to share with book lovers.--Amanda C. Buschmann, Carroll Elementary School, Houston

"Flamboyant colors, zany perspectives and a neatly circular tale lead, with satisfying inevitability, to a happy outcome for all but the thieves." —Washington Post on What the Ladybug Heard

"An excellent read-aloud or lap book, it's full of slapstick action, animal noises, and repeated phrases that invite participation. Donaldson's rhymed verse is both rhythmic and skillfully executed." —Publishers Weekly, starred review on What the Ladybug Heard

"The appealing and brightly colored collage illustrations, rhyming text, and assorted animal sounds make it a natural for individual or group readalouds." —Booklist on What the Ladybug Heard

"Low on menace and high on clever silliness, this highly readable rhyming tale will have young listeners participating in the delivery of these unexpected variations on animal sounds and examining the last scene." —Kirkus Reviews on What the Ladybug Heard

"The playful rhyming text flows without stumbling and offers the opportunity to demonstrate one's finest animal sounds. Monk's illustrations incorporate paint and collage to depict boldly caricatured participants in farmyard tableaux." —School Library Journal on What the Ladybug Heard