The First Case

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Choose Library District

Review Date: January 19, 2016

Review

I hope that this is the only the first in the Detective Gordon series, as it is charming in all aspects. It is humorous, the full-color illustrations are extremely appealing and there are lessons to be garnered. Detective Gordon is a toad, but he is a policeman toad in charge of the surrounding forest. He is getting a little bit older and enjoys nothing more than drinking his tea, eating his cakes, and dozing by the fire. When a new case arises, he must interrogate suspects, run surveillance, and investigate tracks in the snow. He decides to take on an assistant to help with the climbing and such that Detective Gordon now find a bit challenging. The ultimate in police work, though, is stamping; stamping somehow makes everything official and serious. I hope that this pair of detectives will have many more cases to solve together. I highly recommend this offering for 1st to 4th graders.

Overall Book Score: very good