by Cathon (Author)
It's a beautiful day in the garden when Poppy and her panda friend, Sam, hear a commotion. Their friend Basil--who has always been known for his elegance--is in tears, because somebody nibbled his leaves last night! Poppy puts her detective skills to work, with help from Sam, and together they set out to find the culprit.
They start by interviewing the insects, but Ms. Honeybee, Madame Ladybug, and Mr. Bumblebee all have contradictory suspicions of their own. So Poppy and Sam test some creative methods to catch the vandal red-handed. After a few misadventures, they find the remorseful nibbler--and Basil helps him understand that everything tastes better when it is freely offered.
Illustrated with charming details and lots of kid appeal, this is an easy-to-read graphic novel with friendly characters and a suspenseful story line.
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An appealing whodunit about friendship and community, great for fans of comics. (Graphic mystery. 4-8)
Copyright 2018 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with Permission
K-Gr 2--This graphic novel for young readers centers on two tiny friends, Poppy, a young girl, and Sam, a miniature panda, who live in a beautiful garden where they make homes out of hollowed-out pumpkins and gourds. When their pal Basil, a plant, finds that his leaves have been nibbled overnight, Poppy and Sam interview the insects, stake out the garden, and even set a trap, but are unable to solve the mystery. As a last resort, they rub a bar of soap all over Basil's leaves and stem and wait for a trail of bubbles to lead them to their suspect. Adorable cartoon illustrations feature lovely details. The plants all have faces, and the busy activity of side characters adds to the fun: a sneaky ant walks off with Sam's sandwich; the worms smooch in the background in another panel. Confident, creative, and compassionate, Poppy leaps into action and thinks on her feet. The setting is enchanting and the resolution delightful. Children will build reading skills, and they'll soon be asking for the next Poppy and Sam story. VERDICT Highly recommended for most graphic novel collections.--Samantha Lumetta, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.