Pigeon P.I.

by Meg McLaren

Overview

This clever and engaging picture book is a delightful and witty first look at the "noir" detective genre for young readers. A pigeon private investigator emerges from retirement to track down a birdnapper with the help of his feathered friends. A cute chick reports the crime and makes herself useful enough to become a partner in the detective agency, which by the end of the book is back in business. Includes comical directions for doing detective work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781328715616
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	10/03/2017
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Meg McLaren has a BA degree in theater design and production and a master's degree in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art in the UK. Born in Scotland, she lives in Inverness, UK, with her partner, Jon, and their impressive Lego collection.

Editorial Reviews

★ "It won’t be a mystery when this highly enjoyable picture book disappears from your shelves." —Booklist, starred review

"A clever introduction into the mystery genre that readers will love exploring for fun." –School Library Journal

". . . McLaren's picture-book tale is just the ticket for budding detectives." —Kirkus
 

From the Publisher

Awaken your inner sleuth and help Private Investigator pigeon Murray to find the lost chick in this comical picture book. P.I. Murray was relaxing and taking some time off from his job when he saw a little eager yellow chick across the street. After talking to the chick Murray learns that her other bird friends are missing. The little chick convinces Murray to take the case to help her find her friends but then she never returns. Murray becomes worried and is more determined than ever to figure out why these birds are missing. Using his private investigation skills Murray finds out there is a feather thief! Murray discovers lots of birds, including the chick, locked in cages by the feather thief. Murray helps to free the chicks and arrest the feather thief. Beautiful, cartoon-like illustrations accompany the text. Word bubbles are used throughout the book to identify dialogue. A great story of an unexpected partnership sure to inspire kindness and teamwork in young children. Reviewer: Kristen Bowman; Ages 4 to 7.

Children's Literature - Kristen Bowman

2017-06-14
Who's filching the feathered folk of the city? Pigeon P.I. is taking it easy; his partner, Stanley, has flown the coop, and the gumshoe has closed the detective agency. Around town, brightly colored birds are vanishing, but the sea gull police force is far more interested in a downed box of doughnuts. Vee, a plucky canary whose birdie buddies have gone missing, wants Pigeon P.I.'s help, but he's reluctant. She's determined—very determined—and he takes the case. There are no leads until Vee joins the disappeared. A clue points to the Red Herring Bar and Grill, where P.I. finds the whole flock and frees them. But who's behind the nefarious birdnapping? Pigeon P.I. hears a familiar voice and makes a startling discovery. With the thief exposed and caged, Pigeon P.I. decides he's found a new partner; and he and Vee found the Bird's Eye View Detective Agency. Scottish author McLaren's picture-book tale is just the ticket for budding detectives. They can follow the feathers along with Pigeon P.I. through the digitally created panels and full-bleed illustrations, both dotted with speech bubbles. The watercolor-appearing pictures, full of expressive fowl of various species, are charming and replete with visual gags and additional jokes for the observant or more experienced readers. Further feathery cases for this duo would be just fine. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews