DOT & JABBER AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING STREAM
by Ellen Stoll Walsh & illustrated by Ellen Stoll Walsh
They’re baaaack! Those cute and clever mouse detectives from Dot & Jabber and the Great Acorn Mystery (2001) set off to investigate why the stream has dried up after a big storm. Minnows, crayfish, and a snake contribute to the clues. The dialogue is natural and nuanced with childlike simplicity: “We’ve never looked for lost water before”; and “How can a stick make water go away?” The answer, of course, is a beaver-like dam (“only without the beavers”) and when it bursts, the mice decide: “Let’s put some of the clues together and make a raft to take us home.” Walsh’s signature collage illustrations work perfectly with the story, adding touches of texture. The book is nicely designed with attractive batik-like endpapers, quality paper, glossy color finish, and a size appropriate for the age group. The last page provides “More about Storms and Dams.” Walsh has crafted an outstanding combination of preschool/kindgergarten story with nature information. Hopefully, Dot and Jabber are lining up more mysteries to add to this excellent stream of informative titles for young minds. (Picture book. 3-6)