Taste Testing Tuesdays...LITERALLY!: The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake by Robin Newman

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're approaching Taste Testing Tuesdays from a more literal angle.  That's right!  Instead of just sampling a book (which is of course MORE than enough fun), we're going to dive into a book that is not only a fun read but a tasty one too!  Are you game?  Then grab your best sleuthing costume and prepare to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!  Today's book of choice is...

The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake

A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery

by

Robin Newman

Illustrated by

Deborah Zemke

9781939547170

Creston Books

About the book...

Captain Griswold and Detective Wilcox are two hard-boiled police mice and MFIs—Missing Food Investigators. When Miss Rabbit’s carrot cake goes missing the day before her big party, Griswold and Wilcox must investigate a farm full of fun, colorful suspects—and it will take smarts (and a delicious dose of humor) to crack the case. 

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Introducing the MFI...short for Missing Food Investigators.  Namely, Wilcox and Griswold, but enough with the niceties.  We're only here for the facts.

Fact #1:  Miss Rabbit's carrot cake is missing.

This causes great alarm in the rabbit household and with good reason!  It's suppose to be one tasty cake!

Fact #2:  She placed it within easy reach of pretty much EVERYONE on the farm.

Miss Rabbit didn't earn any brownie points here for keeping the cake safe, but she never imagined someone on her farm would be devious enough to take it!

Fact #3:  There's many eyewitnesses that have seen some funny business recently.

How funny the business is depends on the sharer of the story but let's just say that the owl and the pig have got some inside information.

Fact #4:  There's only one way in the rabbit hole and one way out.  

An interesting thing to assess, but not an easy thing to figure out.  An inside job?  Someone aiding and the sticky fingered filchers?

Fact #5:  The MFI always get their man...um, woman...um, critter?

They are the ones to call in times of crisis...and when baked goods are missing, it's time to bring out the big guns.

In case you couldn't tell, I thoroughly enjoyed myself with this one!  From the exterior presentation to the internal illustrations, the who-dun-it story to the final reveal, there's something to keep you curious and turning pages whether you're tall, small, or somewhere in-between.  The characters may be animals but they've personalities to boot, easily distinguishing themselves from each other.  My favorite, aside from the MFI agents, would have to be Hot Dog.  How can you NOT love someone that's in the man's best friend category and can cook too!  Story wise, it's short enough for young readers just starting out to have fun with just a little help, while older readers will get a kick out of the overall layout and development.  I can honestly see this one fitting in well as a read aloud choice for classrooms as well as a fun way to while away a summer afternoon.

Recommended read for First Chapter fans young and young at heart with an eye for mystery and a taste for just desserts!  Oh and for that extra tasty tie in to today's post, at book's end you can find a recipe to make your very own carrot cake!  Now how's THAT for a delicious way to carry the fun right off the page...

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About the author...

ROBIN NEWMAN has been a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks. She lives in New York with her husband, son, goldfish, and English cocker spaniel.

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About the illustrator...

DEBORAH ZEMKE is the author and illustrator of more than 20 children’s books, and a frequent contributor to Ranger Rick magazine.

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Special thanks to Angelle at JKS Communications for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, or those promotions forthcoming, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title just released May 2015 via Creston Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Claude at the Beach by Alex T Smith

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that’s never said no to a book simply because the target audience was below their reading level (Hello?!  It’s called imagination guys!)….Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we’re skipping over to the Children’s Fiction side of things, with a new addition to a chapter book series you have you simply have to read.  It stars a beret wearing pup and his trusty sidekick as they explore the seashore and all it has to offer.  Grab your swimsuits and shades, it’s time to greet today’s book of choice…

Claude at the Beach

By

Alex T. Smith

9781561457038

Peachtree Publishers

It’s SUMMER!

The perfect time to take in the cooling ocean breezes and warming sun at a favorite hotspot… for most that equals a trip to THE BEACH!  Claude is not immune to a good dose of cabin fever  and thus embarks on a new adventure with his trusty companion and friend, Mr. Bobblysock but as often does with this enormously amusing pair, what starts as a simple day trip to take in some rays, and some stellar waves, turns into something a little bit MORE.  Can anyone say buried treasure, or PIRATES?  Oh yeah.  Hi ho, hi ho, it’s over the seas we go!  Who’d have imagined coming across pirates on the beach?!  Goodness….one truly never knows what adventure will you’ll undertake with this fun pair in tow.  One thing you CAN count on though…it will be fun with a capital “F”. 

This is another great addition to the Claude book series.  Aimed at younger readers just stepping out on their own, they hold qualities enjoyable by a much wider age group.  Little ones will definitely enjoy the illustrations…Claude with his little red beret, Claude decked out in Mr. Shineyshoes’ boxers (What? He had to have a bathing suit at the beach…where else was he going to get one in a pinch?), and of course, Mr. Bobblysocks sporting a killer pair of shades while working on his tan.  The target audience will enjoy the images breaking up the story into smaller, bite sized pieces, allowing them to further practice their reading skills.  Older readers….well, I’d say they’d enjoy the whole kit and caboodle, or at least I know I did.  The color scheme consisting of shades of red, white, pink and black remains a the same as in previous releases, continuing to amaze with how well it all works together.

So, in conclusion, an adventure tail…I mean, tale….for young and old-er alike with it’s multi-faceted appeal.  It’ll bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart with every turn of the page.  Trust me, it’s as cute as the cover leads you to believe with just as much whimsy and a touch of wisdom.  A great read, indeed.

Review copy received courtesy of Niki at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the growing series of Claude’s adventures, or any of their other bookish wonders, be sure to stop by the official site, catch them on their blog, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!