Poppy and Sam and the Mole Mystery (Poppy and Sam #2)

K-Gr 2-Poppy and her best friend Sam live in an oversized garden, where mushrooms and blades of grass tower over them. Poppy is a little girl with straight black hair with bangs, pulled back in a bun, while Sam is a panda. First introduced in Poppy and Sam and the Leaf Thief, the two are back to solve a new mystery. They visit their friend Snuggles Molesy and are delighted that she has baked delicious pies, though there's little time to enjoy treats while Snuggles's glasses are missing! As the trio retrace Snuggles's steps, they find many lost items, from a bowling ball to a paintbrush, which they pile up for later. Once the glasses are recovered, they devise the perfect plan for the other items: a lost and found. Comic book-like illustrations celebrate Poppy and Sam's whimsical garden world. Insects and other expressive characters can be seen in the background--a frog washes dishes in the creek as Poppy and her pals look for the eyeglasses. Poppy's compassion for the residents of the garden drives the plot, and the gentle mystery and setting will resonate with children. VERDICT This sweet and charming romp through the natural world is a fine addition to school and public libraries.-Samantha Lumetta, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH