THE BIRTHDAY PARTY MYSTERY

A fourth mystery involving twins Kate and Mickey Dixon and their friends. This time, the theft of birthday presents during a trip lo Animal Land provides the impetus for the story--and once again Mickey shows her talent for following clues to their logical conclusions. A satisfying tale for children just past the early-reader stage who still need a short book with plenty of illustrations and larger type. Estrada's scratchy drawings--vignette to full page--contribute to every double spread, lightening the effect without making the book look too ""young""; their crosshatch technique recalls Ardizzone.