Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Dressed in a trench coat and fedora, Agent Lion has a cheery disposition and an ardent love for jelly doughnuts--but as a detective, he's got some shortcomings. Husband-and-wife creators Soman and Davis (the Ladybug Girl series) channel the old Pink Panther films but with an all-animal cast. Clear panel artwork provides plenty of comic contradiction as Agent Lion heads over to Ms. Flamingo's apartment building to talk to her about her missing cat, Fluffy. "He took the absolutely most direct route," the text says, while a double-page aerial view tells another story: Agent Lion makes stops at Donut World, Popcorn Palace, and more before arriving two hours later. "Does Fluffy have a trunk?" he asks Ms. Flamingo helpfully, and goofy scenarios follow: "No one move!" Agent Lion says, pointing to a rooftop creature. "Agent Lion," says an exasperated Ms. Flamingo, "That is a pigeon." After further investigations, and almost in spite of himself, Agent Lion solves the case. As a bonus, a spread of Ms. Flamingo's lobby features Easter eggs: an elephant cast as Christina in a version of the Wyeth painting, a monkey resembling Thompson's Eloise, and plentiful other animal heroes just right for curious readers. Ages 4--8. (Feb.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Ms. Flamingos cat Fluffy is missing, but Agent Lion is on the casesort of. He means well and works hardhe is often shown with his tongue at the side of his mouth, like a child concentrating intentlybut hes far from sharp-witted. During his investigation, he asks Ms. Flamingo if Fluffy has antlers and tries to peg a pigeon as the cat in disguise. As the lovable, bike-riding, snack-loving detective tries to find Fluffy, readers explore his town and the characters therein, rendered in pale watercolors; light teals and pinks with touches of vivid purple mark this cozy community of anthropomorphized animals. Occasional intentional contradictions in text and art accentuate the humor: the line He took the absolutely most direct route is illustrated with an aerial view of Agent Lions circuitous path to Ms. Flamingos home, marked by stops for popcorn, ice cream, and jelly donuts (his favorite). Expect more giggles over the visual hyperbole, such as a tall apartment building bending over due to the loud wails of Ms. Hippos babies, awakened from their nap by Agent Lion. This spin on the bumbling detective trope will delight readers; children love to see a grown-up making so many mistakes, and Agent Lion has personality to spare. Julie Danielson January/February 2020 p.80(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An inept lion detective searches for a missing cat.After receiving his assignment from Ms. Chief (an elephant), Agent Lion takes two hours to reach the home of Fluffy's owner, Ms. Flamingo. (A map tracking his route from his office shows stops at fast-food joints and entertainment venues. Readers will note the more direct path he could have followed had distractions not beckoned.) Arriving on the scene, Agent Lion asks Ms. Flamingo ludicrous questions and posits absurd theories; checks for clues in unlikely places, including the refrigerator; and wreaks havoc when interviewing neighbors throughout her building. As the self-absorbed, doughnut-loving gumshoe continues his ridiculous investigation, Ms. Flamingo, patience gone, declares the unsolved case over. Still, she invites Agent Lion back to her apartment for tea. Dejectedly arranging the couch's pillows, Agent Lion finallyand unwittinglylocates Fluffy. All ends well as neighbors convene for a sweet celebration. This is a lightweight but humorous story; readers will chuckle at the silly questions Agent Lion asks and the witty, knowing comments he makes about cats. The ending, though predictable and unoriginal, satisfies. Lion is amusing; self-confident; and, as depicted in these delicate cartoon illustrations, very expressive, as are the other animal characters (including the beady-eyed pigeon Lion spies on a rooftop). Readers will also appreciate the endpapers' displays of mouthwatering doughnuts.Readers will enjoy watching this clueless detective get the "mane" job done in spite of himself. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
