Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--5--In this playful mystery for beginning chapter book readers, Fabio is a flamingo who loves to solve crimes and drink pink lemonade. When Julia the hippo goes missing during her talent show performance, Fabio steps in to help. Using the clues left behind and interviewing key witnesses, the sleuthing flamingo must put his skills to the test to catch the kidnapper and save Julia. Young readers will find Fabio and his best friend, Gilbert the giraffe, likable. The engaging plot and bright neon pink and green pages will draw readers into the story. Though the fast pace can make the text occasionally hard to follow, fans of the author's "Pirate Pug" books will applaud this series debut. VERDICT A wild and fun mystery for young readers; recommended for elementary libraries where James's previous series thrive.--Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
How does a hippo go missing? Fabio and Gilbert are on the case!Bright pink Fabio is the world's greatest flamingo detective, and his favorite place for a pink lemonade, taken in the company of his giraffe sidekick, Gilbert, is the Hotel Royale on the shores of Lake Laloozee. But all is not well there. Smith, the vulture who runs the place with his sister, chef Penelope, is none too keen on her daughter's ideas to bring in more customers: Violet wants to have a talent contest. When head contest judge Daphne, a rhino who goes by "the General," catches cold, Fabio takes her placeand then contestant Julia the hippo vanishesfrom the stage. Was it a rival contestant? A crooked judge? Or is the disappearance connected to the strange events at the Gold Cup athletic competition, where many of the contestants seemed strangely sleepy? No need to fear with dapper, superobservant Fabio investigating. With this caper, James, British author of the Adventures of Pug chapter books, kicks off a new series of easy-reading mysteries peopled with jungle animals. Fox's cartoons are offset by an arresting design that incorporates copious applications of bright pink and electric green. Characterization is broad: Fabio is quite self-assured and Gilbert, gangly and bumbling.Young sleuths will enjoy the easy mystery and the cheeky illustrations. More cases on the way! (Fantasy/mystery. 6-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
