In each of these lively beginning-chapter-book whodunits, Detective Paw, a Hercule Poirotesque canine, and Patrol Officer Prickles, an action-oriented porcupine employing crime-fighting gadgets, follow the same procedural pattern to solve a robbery (Bank) and a band instrument theft (Drumsticks). Given the illustrations' visual hints, young readers may well guess the straightforward outcomes, but in doing so theyre also working each case and learning that reading is an active process.

K-Gr 2 Detective Paw and his assistant, Patrol Officer Prickles, love to solve crimes in Big City. One hot summer afternoon, they receive a call that someone has stolen Crash McLaren's best Classic 5C hickory-wood drumsticks right before the Battle of the Bands. After examining clues, talking to neighbors, and working through a bit of crime analysis, the duo solve the mystery, and encourage the culprit to do the right thing by replacing the drumsticks that she had stolen and burned. Young readers will pick up on simple crime-solving skills and also learn about the law and the role of their local friendly police in helping to solve neighborly disputes. Lines of text in a medium font are broken up by illustrations of a variety of animal characters with large, expressive eyes in pastel watercolors. VERDICT Give this to mystery-loving emergent readers ready for shorter chapter books, but not quite ready for longer works like "A to Z" mysteries or "Nancy Drew." Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR