MISS CAT: THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS CANARY, by Joëlle Jolivet and Jean-Luc Fromental, Thames & Hudson, April 16, 2024, Paperback $12.95 (ages 6-10)
A detective sets out to find a missing bird in Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary, an early chapter/graphic novel hybrid by Joëlle Jolivet and Jean-Luc Fromental.
Sad, old Mr. Maximus comes to see Miss Cat at the old dairy she uses as an office. Someone has kidnapped his canary, Harry, his pride and joy. Mr. Maximus begs the detective to help find him.
Following the trail of the missing canary, Miss Cat encounters the alluring Doris and aggressive Wolfgang, her talking dog. What could they be trying to hide? And could the elderly Maximus and the dashing Mixus the Magnificent―a magician with extraordinary powers―actually be the same person? Miss Cat must uncover the truth and get everything back to normal! —Synopsis provided by Thames & Hudson
I’m always on the lookout for early chapter books that are unique, and Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary is definitely different. The book has a Scandi noir atmosphere that quickly grabs attention. The book is a sort of hybrid style, featuring chapters and chunks of text mixed with full-color illustrations and comic-style thought and text bubbles.
A clever story and Edward Gorey-esque illustrations make this a complete package. Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary is an excellent option for kids graduating from picture books to more complex stories.
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