The Case of the Missing Tadpole

September 4, 2023
Willow Feathers, a duck raised by a beaver, “loved to use her smart duck brain to solve problems” and believes that her curiosity will help her become a great detective. Her big chance comes in the form of a possible ecological disaster: a huge tire comes crashing into Dogwood Pond, which Santat (A First Time for Everything) renders in the style of the science fiction comics beloved by Willow’s salamander BFF Sal. “Don’t those humans care about how their trash harms our beautiful wilderness?” grumbles Harry the catfish. Willow deduces that the tire has been discarded from a human’s truck, then organizes Harry, her father, Aaron the heron, and Sal into a thrilling tire-removal operation, followed by a recycling lesson for the guilty human, portrayed with pale skin. Santat draws the quirky cast and their Leslie Knope–like leader with with oodles of affectionate exaggeration, and frequent collaborators Winkler and Oliver (Alien Superstar) give them lots of dad-joke–style dialogue (“Being ticklish is all in your mind,” Willow tells Aaron. “No it isn’t,” Aaron responds. “It’s under my wings”). With its promising, environmentally themed storytelling, this series starter is just ducky. Ages 6–9.

August 1, 2024
In actor Winkler and author Oliver's follow-up, Willow the duck's sleuthing skills draw attention to another environmental threat at Dogwood Pond. Once more, Snout the weasel menaces prey, but rather than eating Franny the frog, he wants her to whip up her fried flies at her lily-pad cafe. It's closed, though, because Franny has an emergency: Her child, Tad the tadpole, has gone missing. Willow immediately begins assessing the evidence and enlists her adoptive beaver dad for some reconnaissance. Sal the salamander--a huge fan of comic books--speculates wildly, while Flitter the dragonfly searches from above. When a human boy's glasses fall into the pond and onto Harry the catfish's eyes, his sharper vision shows him the blue-green algae now choking part of the pond, along with an agitated three-legged frog. Willow's incisive questions start leading to the mystery's solution as Aaron the heron joins the aerial search. Facing her fears, and with help from her pals, the Pond Squad, Willow eventually discovers that the mystery is rooted in human-caused environmental issues; the forest ranger--the father of the bespectacled boy--tells his son about humans' role in inadvertently introducing the algae and identifies a solution. Quips and asides enliven the aquatic action and provide relatable humor, while numerous colorful cartoon vignettes reflect the pond's many angles. Expanding her expertise, this detecting duck doesn't disappoint, and neither does this entertaining sequel.(Early chapter book. 6-9)

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September 20, 2024
Grades 1-3 This companion to The Case of the Strange Splash (2023) finds duck-tective Willow Feathers McBeaver charged with locating Franny the frog's missing son, Tad. She calls on her friends from the Dogwood Pond Squad to help: dad Beaver McBeaver and Harry the catfish scour the pond, while Flitter the dragonfly and Aaron the heron patrol overhead. Eventually they find Tad (although he has transformed and isn't inclined to rush home to Mama); more importantly, they discover a drainage pipe seeping brown liquid that seems to be causing a dangerous blue-green-algae bloom in the pond. Winkler and Oliver's newest early chapter book offers an engaging cast of animal characters, clearly presented mystery clues, and a gently delivered environmental message. Santat's vividly hued, quirky illustrations feature expressive eyes and often exaggerated facial expressions that pick up on the text's humor. Greens and browns predominate, making Willow's bright-yellow figure fairly pop off the page. Short chapters, an easily readable font, and illustrations on every spread add to the appeal of this accessible series.

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Starred review from October 1, 2024

Gr 2-4-Detective Duck is back on the case! Franny the Frog is frantic; her son, Tad the Tadpole, has gone missing. The ducky sleuth immediately sees Franny's problem and sets about solving it. She organizes the citizens of Dogwood Pond into a search party; two members, Beaver McBeaver and Harry the catfish, begin their search along the rim of the far side of the pond. They quickly uncover more problems than the missing Tad. They have trouble seeing in the murky brown water spilling out of a big metal pipe. Algae plants that have taken on a weird blue-green color are much thicker, making it harder to breathe. Gradually, a pond that has always felt safe is becoming dangerous, and there's still no sign of Tad. This second book in the "Detective Duck" series is perfect for young fans of read-aloud chapter books. Detailed, colorful artwork, drawn by Caldecott Award-winning illustrator Santat, brings Winkler and Oliver's story of perseverance and conservation to life. This is a message story, but it has plenty of spirit and character and offers readers a well-paced adventure that ends with, in the words of Detective Duck, "Poof! Problem solved!" VERDICT This entertaining sequel is recommended for chapter book read-alouds, and for those who appreciate children's stories that carry a gentle message of environmental awareness.-Cheryl Blevens

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