SQUIRREL LOCK HOLMES #1

A distraught rabbit whose pet rock has gone missing seeks help from a squirrel detective.

Vowing to leave “no stone unturned,” Squirrel Lock Holmes quickly agrees to help Reggie the Rabbit. Squirrel Lock interviews suspects (among them Reggie’s teacher Mr. Iggy and classmates Maggie, Mel, and Clark), checks alibis, and eliminates possibilities. Belote mines humor from every possible rock reference: Reggie’s pet rock is named Dwayne, Squirrel Lock’s mole sidekick Watson worries about hitting “rock bottom,” and Squirrel Lock Holmes spouts catchphrases like “It’s sedimentary, my dear Watson!” The cartoony panels burst with visual energy: Reggie ping-pongs across scenes making wild gestures and exaggerated expressions of distress, while the earth-toned forest backgrounds keep the focus on character reactions. Speech bubbles overflow with exclamations and sound effects, and the page layouts range from traditional grid formats to more dynamic diagonal arrangements that propel the madcap investigation forward. Vocabulary like geologist appears with definitions conveniently placed nearby. The mystery-solving framework encourages young readers to examine clues alongside the detectives, modeling logical deduction through an accessible case. Backmatter extends the fun with a guide outlining the six steps of solving a mystery and a tutorial on drawing the characters.

An exuberant, pun-heavy romp for readers who like their mysteries served with maximum silliness and steady sleuthing.