A CASE IN ANY CASE

Two cases for the forest detectives!

Police Chief Buffy, a young mouse, misses her old partner in crime fighting, the gruff toad—and former police chief—Gordon, who is taking a break that looks a lot like retirement. Late one night, a scrabbling noise on the window wakes her up, frightening her. When Buffy seeks Gordon’s help in discovering who the mysterious “scrabbler” is, they happen upon another case: two kindergarteners have gone missing. The duo investigates, but it’s anything but smooth sailing. Gordon’s brusque manner frightens the kindergarteners when he tried to interrogate them as to the whereabouts of their classmates, and egos get in the way. Still, all turns out well in the end, as two detectives are better than one. Nilsson’s third Detective Gordon mystery is as charming and droll as the first two. Filled with silly and sweet songs, anthropomorphic animals who all get along (except the fox), and a naïve sensibility, it should easily please fans of the first. (The books should be read in order to enjoy the development of the characters). Again decorated with Spee’s full-color, often full-page woodland scenes, the package will be a joy to share with young listeners or an apt choice for newly independent readers.

May Gordon and Buffy detect again! (Mystery. 6-9)