Review by Booklist Review
The only porcupine in her class, Pippa would love to have a friend. Her teacher tasks each student with creating a "love list" (things they really like), and Pippa complies, although she fears no one else enjoys Berry Berry Twigs cereal, the Beastly Boys, the color pink, and mysteries. When she discovers someone else's list filled with items that mirror her own, Pippa's detective instincts kick into high gear. Marsh's anthropomorphic cozy features many standard mystery elements: a distinctive detective, red herrings, and reader participation in spotting clues. Lobo's whimiscal, digital artwork is both colorful and detailed, featuring an earth-tone palette accented with red, pink, and blue. Pippa's friendly looking classmates assure readers that there are no bad guys to be found in this story. The artwork also contains many visual details that provide additional clues for discriminating readers; in particular, Pippa's reproduced photos should help little ones identify her new friend before the big reveal. This makes a good choice for budding mystery enthusiasts as well as a Valentine's Day read-aloud.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
During a Valentine's Day art assignment, lonely, mystery-loving Pippa, the only porcupine in her animalian class, finds herself following clues to discover a secret admirer in this sprightly friendship tale. Pippa is not enthused when Mr. Tod tasks everyone with making a "love list": "a list of things that take up room in your heart." But when another classmate's love list gets tangled in her quills, and Pippa's name is among its entries, she learns that "somewhere in these halls, she has a best-friend-in-waiting!" Her humorous sleuthing methods don't deliver great results--until she looks at the photos she's taken and finally sees what observant readers will have known all along. Marsh weaves sweet and silly notes into a mini mystery with a happy reveal. Debut illustrator Lobo also has an eye for fun, serving up a welcoming forest school and a menagerie of friendly-looking pupils; Pippa's flowing quills and stylish "Beastly Boys" band T-shirt are among the memorable details. Ages 3--7. (Dec.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Mystery-loving Pippa the porcupine has a problem: Valentine's Day is coming and her whole class is working on their "love lists" of "things that take up room in your heart." Pippa, who would rather read the latest "Sherlock Gnomes" mystery novel than make a list, sadly doesn't have a best friend to share things with. She soon learns, however, that a mysterious classmate has added Pippa to a love list and wants to be her friend. How can she figure out who it is? Using a variety of clues, Pippa sets about solving the mystery of the new best friend, who turns out to be quiet, shy, easily overlooked Mitzi the Mouse. Charming illustrations include several visual clues (such as Mitzi reading the same book Pippa loves) and the text includes a few silly puns (a game of "Deer, Deer, Moose" rather than "Duck, Duck, Goose") that are perfect for young readers. Though the opening line, "When you're the only porcupine in your class you stand out" doesn't lead anywhere--there is only one of each type of animal represented--this is a sweet Valentine's Day story with a mystery twist. VERDICT A fine addition to holiday story collections for young readers.--Sue Morgan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A mystery lover finds a way to appreciate Valentine's Day. Pippa the porcupine would rather read a Sherlock Gnomes book than do almost anything else--especially participate in Valentine's Day projects like the one her teacher, Mr. Tod, has assigned the class. Whoever heard of making lists of "things that take up room in your heart"? At lunch, all the students share their heart-shaped pizzas--except for Pippa. Everyone has a best friend--except for Pippa. But what's this? Someone's pink, heart-shaped "love list" has attached itself to Pippa's quills. Pippa is one of the items included on the list--somebody likes her! (Also on the list: Berry Berry Twigs cereal, the Beastly Boys, baking, and painting.) But who can it be? Pippa resolves to ferret out the answer. After wearing her Beastly Boys T-shirt and trying to share Berry Berry Twigs cereal with her classmates, Pippa is no closer to solving the mystery. What is she missing? After reviewing photos of all the love list activities she took part in, she discovers the identity of her secret friend. Valentine's Day won't be so lonely after all! Marsh's focus on the mystery friend invites readers to go a-sleuthing alongside our curious porcupine. Lobo's fanciful woodland classroom and schoolyard are filled with whimsical detail, from the boy band T-shirt to the bedecked cervine model whom the kids draw during art class. Sharp-eyed detectives will soon spot the mysterious friend. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A fun case of elementary deduction. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
