Catastrophe

Walia has been running the Wednesday & Woof Detective Agency for ages (two months!) and is eagerly seeking new challenges. A new sleuthing opportunity comes in the form of an opera-singer neighbor wailing about her missing cat, so Walia and her beloved pup, Woof, get busy tracking the wayward feline. Woof is an invaluable detective and service dog, helping Walia sniff out crucial clues and tackle life while dealing with juvenile arthritis, gently introducing a young audience to both the chronic disease and the concept of service dogs. The humorous narrative will easily engage early readers, and a smattering of twists and red herrings maintains the mystery without overcomplicating the plot. Playful illustrations add visual interest, and peeks at Walia's detective pad cleverly act as a review for plot points and new concepts. Each chapter ends with an adorable visual record of chapters completed and an occasional word-count congratulations--a touch sure to encourage reluctant readers. Walia and Woof are a winning combination for any young gumshoe looking to dip their toes into chapter books.