Rex Tabby Cat Detective - Softcover

Grade 3-4–Written in the style of '30s and '40s gumshoe stories, this book features a Dick Tracy-like main character. Rex Tabby, premiere cat detective on the Whiskerville police force, is hot on the trail of Ma Manx and her twins, Rumpy and Stumpy. Just when he and partner Si Meeze finally have them cornered, the two kittens slip through their claws. Ma certainly won't tell where the youngsters are hiding, so the officers visit the local candy shop and playground, to no avail. Meanwhile, Rumpy and Stumpy make plans to spring their mother from jail. The climax includes a detective costume that looks suspiciously like Rex, sneezing and itching powders, and a ride on a roller coaster. There are puns and knock-knock jokes galore and cartoons appear on almost every page. Each chapter ends with questions or a problem to solve through which readers can practice their investigative skills. An additional purchase for fans of Bruce Hale's "Chet Checko Mystery" series (Harcourt) or where mysteries are in demand.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
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Gr. 2-4. Rex Tabby is a square-jawed, trench-coat wearing cat and an old-school detective, who always gets his felines. Here, the culprits are Ma Manx and her kittens, Rumpy and Stumpy. Caught in the act of stealing fish, Ma heads off to the slammer, but Rumpy and Stumpy escape, making them public enemies, number one. The story, a piece of old-time detective fluff, is belabored in places. Most of the fun comes from the kittens, who miss their mommy and are as interested in eating candy as they are in making mischief. The light-hearted tone is highlighted by the gray-wash cartoon-style pictures, which appear on every page and feature plenty of action and lots of laughs. Each chapter ends with quizzes and activities for junior detectives. Many of them are a stretch (pick six things a cat detective uses to solve a crime), but kids will enjoy playing along. Ilene Cooper
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