Author: Sara Varon
Illustrator: Sara Varon
© Date: 2024
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 201
Chapters: Yes
Illustrations: Yes, graphic novel
Publisher Recommended Age: 7-10 years
Bonus Activities at End of Book: Yes, pictures of the real life animals that inspired characters in the story
Summary from Book: Sweet Pea’s got a pretty sweet life. The animals in her hometown of Parkville have always gotten along with one another, and she’s free to spend her days doing what she loves best: making art, hanging out with friends, and digging through the trash for tasty treats. When two new dogs move to town, Sweet Pea is eager to show them the sights and smells of Parkville…especially its most famous attraction, the one-of-a-kind GOLDEN CHEW BONE!
But…where is it?
Yes, the Golden Chew Bone has vanished! Parkville needs a detective, and Sweet Pea’s spectacular sense of smell makes her the perfect pup to crack the case. Can Sweet Pea sniff out the suspect and find the bone before it’s too late?
Note: This review is done from memory. I originally read this awhile ago.
Page Pig Thoughts: An okay story about a dog sniffing out the culprit of the missing golden bone. Continually talking about the tooth pain that the dogs of Parkville were in made it feel a bit like a dentist wrote the story. I thought that Page Pup liked this one a little more than me, but our rating was actually the same. We would read another, but other books would probably get grabbed off the library shelf first.
Positive Items:
- The dogs and squirrels are able to discuss their feelings about things to find a solution that makes everyone happy. The squirrels no longer have to keep up a hectic running training schedule and the dogs can chase some squirrels.
Items of Interest:
- The squirrels were tired of being chased by the dog track team, so they stole the golden chew bone. They hoped that the dogs would have bad enough toothaches that they wouldn’t want to run anymore.
- The squirrel plan involved getting Sweet Pea’s nose stuck in a trap so that she could not sniff out clues anymore.