GERTRUDE, THE BULLDOG DETECTIVE

Weary of the avid would-be sleuth's shadowing, her neighbors plant some fictitious clues that coincidentally lead the portly, respectably dressed dog to an opportunity to apprehend some real thieves. With colorful, amusingly expressive illustrations and a snappy text, this makes a simple but satisfying introduction to a popular genre, either for listeners or for beginning readers. (Picture book. 5-8)