Bunny Brown and Jack Jones, ace detectives, join forces again to solve their third easy-reader mystery in this snappy new series from Newbery Medalist Rylant, author of the beloved Henry and Mudge books. Bunny the bunny is the practical brains of the detective duo, and Jack the raccoon is her humorous sidekick, who is even funnier in this book than in the previous volumes, The Case of the Missing Monkey (not reviewed) and The Case of the Climbing Cat (2000). In this case, Bunny and Jack solve the chronic disappearance (and reappearance) of a trombone from a neighborhood music store. The puzzling possum of the title, Freddy, has been repeatedly "borrowing" the trombone so he can play at hayride entertainments with Gus's Big Brass Boys. Bunny and Jack nab him red-handed, and Bunny offers the practical solution of paying for the trombone by giving lessons at the music store. The combination easy-reader, easy-mystery follows the established format of a few clues, a mild neighborhood mystery, and lots of clever puns and jokes that will delight the intended audience. The humor is exactly on track for the early elementary grades, including a squashed marshmallow on Jack's seat and a quick rush to the bathroom following some dizzying explanations by the music-store owner (just the sort of jokes first graders adore). Karas's engaging illustrations in acrylic, gouache, and pencil help create unique personalities for Bunny and Jack. It's no mystery why this series is successful, and this endearing duo seems destined to crack many more cases of minor mischief in their urban neighborhood. (Easy reader. 6-8)

K-Gr 4-Crackerjack detectives Bunny Brown, a rabbit, and Jack Jones, a raccoon, are asked to solve a case revolving around the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of a trombone from the window of Mr. Riley's music store. Bunny finds two clues at the scene: muddy paw prints and a piece of straw. She and Jack connect the evidence to a sign on Mr. Riley's door advertising a hayride with Gus and his Big Brass Boys. After taking a taxi to the farm, they notice a possum playing a trombone in the band and discover that the instrument's case says Riley's Music. He confesses that he was just borrowing the trombone because the hay wagon rolled over his, and Bunny suggests that he give trombone lessons at Mr. Riley's store to earn the money needed to buy a new instrument. With lots of quips between the two main characters, this story is sure to amuse younger children who listen to it read aloud and older readers who enjoy it alone. Rylant's quick pace and brief chapters make it a page-turner. Karas feeds the fun by putting lots of visual humor into his colorful cartoons, which were created using acrylic, gouache, and pencil. A fun romp for fans of humorous whodunits who are just becoming confident with chapter books.-Karen Land, Greenport Public School, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Bunny Brown and Jack Jones return to solve yet another mystery, this time with a twist straight out of Lawrence Kohlberg's moral dilemma files. The two sleuths are becoming progressively more playful as Rylant continues their lighthearted bickering and highlights their personality differences. Karas's illustrations support both the reading of the words and the tone of the text.