Review: The Detective Dog

Nell is a detective dog. She has an amazing sense of smell (Sniff, sniff sniff!) and it helps her solve mysteries. Whether it is a missing toy, item of clothing, or a strange smell, Nell will ferret it out. Nell is also a listening dog. She loves to listen to stories, and visits the school of her owner, Peter, every week to hear the children reading, with the bonus of all the lovely smells to be found at school: food, furniture, and especially books!

When the school’s collection of books goes missing, Nell the detective dog is quickly on the case, “sniffing and searching for clues.” It doesn’t take her long to catch the thief’s scent, and soon Nell and the children track the thief down. Nell has a sensible idea and the thief is introduced to the library, after which he never feels the need to steal books again, because at the library “you can take lots of books out for free.”

The Detective Dog is an action-packed, rhyming story from the fabulous Julia Donaldson, author of the popular story The Gruffalo, and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. It’s sure to be a hit with young readers and their families who will enjoy joining Nell, Peter and his school mates as they journey around home, school and their town.

Title: The Detective Dog
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: June 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781509801596
For ages: 4-8
Type: Picture book