Bad Bear Detectives

August 1, 2006
Gr 1-3 -Irving and Muktuk are accused of stealing a shipment of blueberry muffins that was stored in a waterfront warehouse. The two polar bears swear tearfully that they are innocent, but, as they set out to prove it, they seem more and more suspect. To look like detectives, they steal hats from the Zoo Director and go in search of clues. As they sniff their way closer to the truth, their memory gets jogged concerning the actual nature of events. Kids will love the cartoon drawings rendered in felt-tip marker and ink. The white bears outlined in black ink, one wearing a red hat, the other a yellow one, contrast delightfully with a midnight-blue sky and colorful city buildings as they stride through the streets. This charming mystery will have kids guessing. This story is great for independent mid-level readers and as a read-aloud." -Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2006
PreS-Gr. 2. This new book about muffin-loving Irving and Muktuk turns the hard-boiled detective tradition on its ear with mischief that will make preschoolers laugh as much as the adults who read to them. When a large shipment of Italian designer muffins disappears from a waterfront warehouse, the two polar bears are the chief suspects. Facing the slammer, they cry and declare their innocence ("Our names are smirched"), then sneak out of the zoo to find the real thieves. But why do the clues lead back to the zoo? The pictures of the big, white bears outlined in ink and performing against brightly colored backgrounds add to the fun as they act tough to the bossy authorities, sniff out (literally) the bad guys, and surprise everyone, including themselves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)