Although I normally don't gravitate toward black and white books, this one captured my attention because it reminded me of those old detective mysteries from the 1930s. The mood of the book is comical with puns on almost every page. Although I found this book to be cute, I just didn't love who the antagonist of the story. I suppose for my k-3 students the ending would come as shocking, but I felt it lacked originality. ( )

HILAROUS children's book! Humphrey Bogart-ish...DH & I were laughing but the kids didn't quite get it. ( )

This book is a great example of a fantasy because all the animal characteristics are given human like traits. They are able to talk and walk around and they even have human jobs such as a singer, a detective, and a magician.
Characters: The characters in this book are essential because that's what makes it a fantasy. Plus there are a lot of jokes about peanut butter and La Peanut Goo and having the detective be an elephant made it what it was.
Art Media: charcoal, watercolor washes, colored pencil, and pastel.

"When Lola, famous singer at the Club Sandwich, loses her lucky marbles, elephant detective Nick Trunk, lover of peanut butter, takes the case."
Funny, nonviolent, detective story for younger kids, I knew who did it! ( )