The Case of the Bad Apples (A Wilcox and Griswold Mystery)
Robin Newman, Author
Deborah Zemke, Illustrator
Creston Books, Fiction, Sep. 1, 2020
Suitable for ages: 5-11
Themes: Animals, Pigs, Farm, Mystery, Detectives, Crime, Bad apples
Opening: “Boys and girls, this case is about some bad apples on Ed’s farm.”
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Detective Wilcox and Captain Griswold are on the case again, trying to discover who poisoned the apples Porcini pigged out on. Was it Sweet Pea, the piglet next door; Herman the Rat; or Hot Dog the nosy pooch? Who had motive, means, and no alibi? Follow the clues and figure out who was behind Porcini’s terrible tummy ache.
Why I like this book:
Robin Newman has penned a spirited and comical third chapter book in The Wilcox and Griswold Mystery series. Wilcox and Griswold (Missing Food Investigators or MFI’s) are called daily to solve a food problem on Ed’s Farm. This time a troublemaker has left a gift basket of poisoned Granny Smith apples for Porcini to hog down. And he’s hog sick.
No one hits the sweet spot with food- and animal-based wordplay like Newman. PIG-DIC-U-LOUS! She’s a master and her food-related crimes are hilarious! She had me chuckling from page one with “Porcini pigged out” on apples. “Rushing to the scene, the MFI’s get caught in heavy rush hour traffic. “There are road hogs, squealing, oinking, and grunting, but they finally let us pass. Typical road hogs. Typical indeed.”
Everyone is suspect on Ed’s Farm for the attempted “hamslaughter.” Sweet Pea, the piglet; Herman, the rat; Fowler, the owl; and Hot Dog, the nosy pooch, who Porcini claims regularly steals his food. Will Dr. Alberta Einswine, from Whole Hog Emergency Care, be able to help the detectives get to the rotten core of this mystery?
Don’t miss the fun details on every page: Porcini looking pretty green with his tummy ache, hoof prints left on the remaining apples, and other gathered evidence. And make sure you check out the endpapers for the detective details, case report, and evidence folder. Dr. Einswine’s report is not to be missed! And there is a recipe for Apple Pockets that kids can make at home, with supervision.
Deborah Zemke‘s colorful and expressive illustrations fill each page and contribute to the silliness of this perfect mystery about “who done it.” Another exceptional collaboration between the author and illustrator. Here’s hopping for more Wilcox and Griswold cases to solve.
Resources: Check out Robin Newman’s website. She has a wonder Teacher’s Guide to use with student that covers this puzzling mystery about who wanted to make pork chops out of Porcini. Wanna be detectives will delight in going through all of the steps of solving a crime.
Robin Newman was raised in New York City (a/k/a the Big Apple) and Paris where she was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she now prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks. She lives
in New York with her husband, son, two English Cocker Spaniels, and one French Bulldog. Visit her at her website.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the MMGM link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review.
What fun! I’m going to have read this for the laughs. It reminds me a bit of Aleesah Darlison’s League of Llama books. They are hilarious too.
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It is a entertaining “who done it” mystery for younger readers learning to read on their own. Lively illustrations! It would also make a great read aloud in the classroom. Lots of details about solving a case.
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Such a lot to recommend it.
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This sounds like such a funny book. And it has a mystery. I can see kids loving it.
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I love Robin’s Wilcox and Griswold mystery series for early readers! The food- and animal puns are always entertaining!
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This series is delightful! Great to see there is another mystery.
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Yes, I was delighted to review her third mystery. Glad you love them too. Rumor, there is a fourth book being written.
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Pat, Many thanks for the AWESOME review. It made my day!
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I’m pleased you enjoyed the review! I enjoyed reading/reviewing it! Your food and animal puns makes your mysteries stand out! Perfect for kids learning to read on their own! And, I love the detective information and the steps to solving a mystery in sidebars.
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A spirited, comical book wrapped in a mystery is just what we all could use right now. Thanks for sharing it.
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I agree! We all need to laugh right now. The Case of the Bad Apples is a great choice for kids!
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What a unique cast of characters. I’m finding a lot of these fun type books on the blogs today. Sounds like the perfect read to be used as a stepping stone to MG books. Thanks for featuring on MMGM. I might have to give this one a go myself.
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Yes, it is a perfect transitional book to MG books. Robin is just a master at wordplay and word puns! The book is hilarious!
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Absolutely LOVE this series by Robin – I recommend it to everyone who takes my class and wants to write for the next level up from picture books, and everyone who wants to learn how to write mysteries for little ones!
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Yes, it is a good series for authors to study! Glad you recommend it as an example of a good chapter book. Robin is a is so clever with her wordplay, plot and fun puns.
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I have been waiting for this one to hit our library shelves. And now you’ve made me hungry for baked apples! perfect timing, given the season.
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Baked apples sound delicious! You will love the third book!
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I might have to get this book out just for the love of puns! 🙂
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As you read it you find yourself making up even more funs. Good book to enjoy and study!
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What a totally fun book! I noticed even more wordplay in your review, like the name “Einswine”—I imagine kids (and adults) will find this book quite funny! I also like that there’s a recipe kids can make. Thanks for the great review!
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Newman is excellent with wordplay. It really is a book that kids and parents will have a lot of fun reading — perhaps make up even more wordplay together. I know I inserted a few puns that came to mind. Yes, she includes a recipe at the end of all three books.
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I could sure use something fun right about now. I haven’t read any of these books, but I think I need to . Thanks for telling me about this series. I will be looking for them.
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It’s worth reading for all of Robin’s fun wordplay. This series is such a treat for kids reading chapter books. They also learn about what it takes to solve a mystery!
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