Wallace and Grace and the Cupcake Caper

by Heather Alexander, Laura Zarrin (Illustrator)

Overview

This charming mystery series in the Read & Bloom line continues, and is the perfect pathway to chapter books like Cam Jansen or Fancy Nancy, Super Sleuth.

The Read & Bloom line offers high interest, character driven stories for newly independent readers that feature full-color illustrations throughout and will transition kids from leveled readers to a lifetime of reading.

In this adventure, Monty the chipmunk's cupcake is stolen, and he thinks Sal the groundhog took it. If Wallace and Grace want to prove that Sal is the cupcake thief, they will need to look for clues and talk to witnesses. But what happens when the clues lead them to a cupcake thief they never expected?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681190112
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	11/06/2018
Series:	Wallace and Grace
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Heather Alexander is the author of numerous books for children, both fiction and nonfiction, including the Wallace and Grace early chapter book series, Eat Bugs: Project Startup, The Amazing Stardust Friends, A Child's Introduction to Egyptology, The Good Luck Book, and Only in America. Heather also works as a children's book editor and lives in Los Angeles. Visit her at heatheralexanderbooks.com.

Laura Zarrin spent her childhood in the St. Louis area exploring creeks, woods, and attic closets, with plenty of tree climbing and digging for artifacts in the backyard all in preparation for her future career as an archeologist. She never became one because she realized she's much happier drawing. Laura lives in Silicon Valley in California with her very logical husband and teen sons, and their illogical dog, Cody.

www.laurazarrinstudios.com

@Laura Zarrin

Editorial Reviews

This cupcake mystery should make readers hungry for Wallace and Grace's newest case . . . . With a little humor and its resourceful boy and girl owl friends, this provides a comfortable experience for newly independent readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The illustrations are colorful and engaging, and there is a good balance between words and illustrations so new readers will be encouraged . . . Fans of Rebecca Elliott's "Owl Diaries" will flock to this adorable new series.” —School Library Journal

“Read & Bloom will be wildly popular. And I am very happy to see some new friendship books come along with the end of the Elephant and Piggie books.” —Teri Lesesne, Professor of Library Science at Sam Houston State University

“Funny and appealing, the Read & Bloom books will charm readers.” —Linda M. Pavonetti, Ed.D., professor of Reading and Language Arts at Oakland University

“Zarrin's cozy color artwork and Alexander's chirpy narrative energize a story that highlights the rewards of mutual respect, collaboration, and friendship.” —Publishers Weekly on WALLACE AND GRACE TAKE THE CASE

From the Publisher

03/01/2017
Gr 2–4—Wallace and Grace are owl detectives. At night they help their animal friends solve mysteries, from the spooky noises of a might-be ghost to the crumbly caper of the missing cupcake. The writing is simple and enjoyable for emerging readers. More challenging terms such as conclusion and quandary (Wallace loves big words) are sprinkled in with explanations. In The Cupcake Caper, Wallace and Grace help a foul-tempered chipmunk discover who consumed his treat. In Take the Case, the pair aid a rabbit solve the case of a potential ghost. Many animals are suspects, and the clues lead the feathered sleuths to a satisfying ending. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, and there is a good balance between words and illustrations so new readers will be encouraged. VERDICT Fans of Rebecca Elliott's "Owl Diaries" will flock to this adorable new series.—Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

School Library Journal

2017-03-06
This cupcake mystery should make readers hungry for Wallace and Grace's newest case.Two animals request help from the avian gumshoes. Monty the chipmunk contends that Sal the groundhog stole his cupcake, a treat found right before the winter (the "hibernating" season, as explained by Grace, who "loved using big words") began. Wallace shows off his knowledge by mentioning Feb. 2 as the day when "groundhogs wake up…to look for their shadow." Sal swears he didn't steal the confection and wants to hire the detectives to prove his innocence. After taking both cases, the partners start their investigation. Sounding like Sgt. Friday of old-time TV, Wallace tells Monty: "Give the facts and only the facts." The owls try to find eyewitnesses, another important detection tool, but when they interview Nisha the snake, they realize that she didn't see anything. The case becomes even more complicated with the introduction of Scarlet the cardinal and a fox that Grace thinks may be the "culprit." Wallace and Grace gather clues until they solve the mystery and bring all the animal friends together for a party. With this outing, the series, begun in Wallace and Grace Take the Case (2017), is gaining momentum and providing a stronger plotline. Happy, cartoonish art appears in full color throughout. With a little humor and its resourceful boy and girl owl friends, this provides a comfortable experience for newly independent readers. (Mystery. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews