Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Atkinson revisits the banter-filled unlikely friendship between the ghostly Sir Simon Spookington and his dark-skinned human housemate, Chester, in this entertaining graphic novel for early readers, the first in a series and a witty spin-off to picture book Sir Simon: Super Scarer. Busy writing a mystery, Simon is annoyed when Chester interrupts--until Chester finds a deerstalker hat, and Simon's eyes turn to hearts: "Forget playing pretend," he says, let's "become detectives!" Styling themselves after Holmes and Watson, and transforming the attic into an office with shadowy lighting, the friends soon get their first case: that of an unknown wide-eyed pug occupying their kitchen. While Simon goes overboard imagining a complex intrigue-filled explanation for the pug's presence, empathic, levelheaded Chester focuses on the very real need to find the lost dog's owner. Just as the partners' differing approaches dissolve into disagreement, the pup leads them on a chase that brings their case to a satisfying--"elementary"--close. "Rendered in ectoplasm, pug fur, and Photoshop," Atkinson's unfussy panels abound with pop culture references for full comedic and cinematic effect, adeptly balancing humor with heart. Ages 6--9. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--A little boy, Chester, and his ghost friend, Simon, attempt to stave off the boredom of a rainy day by digging around the attic for costumes. Simon would rather be writing his mystery novel, but when they find a deerstalker hat, the game is afoot--or it would be, if Simon had feet. A case comes to them in the form of a stray pug. Who does he belong to, and why is he in Chester's house? They search the premises for clues and take to the streets. Simon goes to extremes, even creating an elaborate bulletin board with yarn connecting the clues, while Chester takes a more straightforward approach, checking to see if the dog has a collar. Clues to the mystery are sprinkled through the story, and the resolution will test the limits of their friendship. Readers may recognize the pair from Atkinson's 2018 picture book, Sir Simon: Super Scarer, which establishes the origins of their friendship (Simon, a professional ghost, is transferred to Chester and his grandmother's house but gives up the haunting gig in favor of simply becoming Chester's pal). Simon may be a ghost, but he's not exactly haunting. His friendship with Chester is warm and inviting, even as they work through differences. Atkinson's illustrations ooze fun, relying on a cheery palette and depicting rounded characters with oversize heads. Both Chester and his grandmother are brown-skinned; Simon is a pale, floating orb-shaped creature. VERDICT Simon and Chester make a delightful detective duo; aspiring sleuths will snap this one up.--Gretchen Hardin, Bee Cave P.L., TX
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The human/supernatural duo introduced in Atkinson's picture book Sir Simon (2018) solves a canine-centered mystery in this graphic-novel series opener. Ghost Simon is busy typing a detective story when bored human child Chester interrupts. Grandma's napping, and Chester's going to "IMPLODE from boredom." Irritated, Simon admonishes Chester to find something to do, which leads to the unearthing of Grandma's old theater paraphernalia. When Chester discovers a detective costume, Simon is enamored (his eyes turn into hearts at the sight of the deerstalker) and suggests they become real detectives, "taking names, solving cases." When flyers don't produce any clients, the pair happily goes looking; when they find a strange dog in their home, the game is afoot! How did the adorable pooch make its way into their house? Whose dog is it? The sleuthing duo is on the case (though Simon may be taking things more seriously--too seriously?--than strictly necessary...) with lots of laughs along the way. The mystery dog is not the only adorable creature in this book: Both traditionally white and amorphous ghost Simon and brown-skinned boy Chester are equally charming. Atkinson easily shifts format with panels that are both colorful and clear. With simple and engaging text and a straightforward plot that moves right along, this story is a winner for new readers and aspiring gumshoes alike. Readers will look forward to seeing more of this entertaining detective duo in the future. It's no mystery--all clues point to fun! (Graphic mystery. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
