Children’s Book Review: Pipsie Nature Detective – The Lunchnapper By Rick DeDonato

PIPSIE NATURE DETECTIVE
The Lunchnapper

By: Rick DeDonato

Illustrated by: Tracy Bishop

Published: April 12, 2016

Publisher: Two Lions

Fiction

I first introduced you to Pipsie a year ago, in DeDonato’s first book, PIPSIE NATURE DETECTIVE: The Disappearing Caterpillar. It made my list of Top Ten Books of 2015 as my favorite children’s book.

Pipsie and her friend, Alfred, the turtle, are on a school trip. Pipsie is especially excited because the trip is a nature scavenger hunt. Since Pipsie is a nature detective, she was anxious to get started. After getting a list of seven items to find on their nature hunt, Pipsie and Alfred started off. Midway through the hunt, Alfred realizes they have lost their lunch. While searching for items on their list, they also had to look for clues to who might have stolen their lunch. Alfred’s stomach is growling and the scavenger hunt is almost over. You’ll have to read to find out if Pipsie and Alfred won the prize and found their lunch.

Kids won’t even realize they are learning while joining the fun along with Pipsie and Alfred. They will explore the pages looking for parts of nature and clues to the mysterious lunchnapper. Even non-readers will be kept busy looking at the creative illustrations on each page.

The illustrations by Bishop are adorable…she even makes a porcupine cute. The pages are full of color but there is a softness to the artwork. Pipsie’s facial expressions give her a realistic character. Details abound on every page including birds, trees, and animal tracks. I also love the whimsical font used to tell the story.

This is another winning children’s book in my opinion. Pipsie and Alfred are delightful characters that kids will enjoy. The end of the book offers factual information about the animals they saw on their nature hunt. This book would be great for a classroom or home library.

Check out the website for more fun with Pipsie, including games and activities at www.PipsieNatureDetective.com. You can also download a free activity kit by clicking, HERE.

Rick DeDonato – source

Rick DeDonato started writing and drawing storybooks for his two kids, Alexis and Matt when they were little. They’re grown now, but Rick is still creating stories. He is the author of PIPSIE, NATURE DETECTIVE, The Disappearing Caterpillar,  illustrated by Tracy Bishop. When he’s not dreaming up new adventures for Pipsie, he’s an award-winning creative director in advertising. Born in New Jersey, he now lives in Wilmington, Delaware, with Nancy McAleer; their two dogs, Tugger and Nacho; and their turtle, Alfred E. Turtle.

Tracy Bishop – source