Pet Detectives [Hardcover]

Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 1999 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Policeman Jack's dog Belle and cat Kitty do their bit to fight crime on a daily basis and combine forces to capture a burglar.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Policeman Jack's furry housemates, Kitty and a mutt named Belle, patrol and guard his house each day after he leaves for work. However, they have different investigative styles, which results in some tension between them. Ever-vigilant Kitty diligently tracks down mice that might be tempted to go after food. Laid-back Belle mostly snoozes and snores, at least until the doorbell rings. At that point, she raises a ruckus, but always heads back to continue her nap. One day, a burglar breaks into the house. To catch him, the animals learn that they really do need one another's help, despite their differences. The plot of this rhyming story is slight, but the illustrations enhance it. O'Malley's simple designs are large enough for group sharing. Libraries needing more stories on canine or feline escapades might wish to consider Dav Pilkey's Dog Breath! (Scholastic, 1994), Eileen Christelow's The Robbery at the Diamond Dog Diner (Clarion, 1988), or Margaret Mahy's The Three-Legged Cat (Viking, 1993).
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Policeman Jack's cat and dog team, Kitty and Belle, are an unusual crime-busting duo: Kitty is a shrewd mouser, while lazy Belle would rather sleep. When a wily burglar picks the lock and breaks into Policeman Jack's house, Kitty jumps on top of the thief's head, while Belle rouses from a nap to growl and chase the burglar out the door. They are rewarded with a TV appearance on the nightly news. In a tale told entirely in verse, the entrance of the burglar functions more as a device to break up the monotony than for building suspense or creating comedy. O'Malley saves the day with his portraits of the highly personable pets, including one picture of the appropriately sleepy Belle, bloodshot eye open amidst folds of fur. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Troll Communications (February 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816749523
• ISBN-13: 978-0816749522
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)