THE CASE OF THE STINKY STENCH

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast return for another excursion through the hidden universe of the refrigerator. While the first book was all about competing, this title takes a U-turn and focuses on cooperation.

Funk and Kearney have created a delicious treat by combining clever rhyming verse with captivating illustrations. Inspector Croissant, the nephew of Sir French Toast, arrives on the scene searching for the source of “nefarious odors” that are ruining whole shelves of food. The three companions follow clues across Salsa Ravine, around Mount Everbean, over Applesauce River to Corn Chowder Lake. Done in pencil and digital media, this visual smorgasbord creates bridges out of tacos and will have readers returning to closely inspect the edible landscape. Nutritionally, the doughnuts, candy, and marshmallows are offset by fruits and vegetables. With simple dots and dashes as features, most food items are enlivened with faces, populating every page with witnesses to the detective work. The confident storyline marries complex vocabulary with an easy syncopation and reaches a surprising level of drama when the stench is revealed. How will the edible residents of this icebox world punish the stinker? Inspector Croissant not only solves the mystery, but does a good deed, demonstrating compassion to his fellow foodstuffs.

Crisp writing, engaging illustrations, and sweets—this is a recipe worth keeping.