Whobert Whover, Owl Detective

Why should adults get all the good unsolved mysteries? Debut author Gallaher’s pun-laden whodunit starts with a classic scene: Perry the Possum, “lying awfully still” on the forest floor. Whobert, a self-appointed and self-important detective (“He always tried to keep his neck of the woods safe”), doesn’t waste time with details like gathering evidence. He prefers to fling accusations around the forest with a piercing gaze and an accusingly pointed wing. “It was you! You whacked Perry with your wicked wings!” he tells a shocked duck, before moving on to a new suspect. Readers will note, however, that all of the animals seem to be trying to tell Whobert something, and that Perry is both very alive and very annoyed. Belgian artist Pauwel’s exaggerated drawings, the assured comic rhythms of the storytelling, and a facepalm-worthy ending (which turns on Whobert’s cluelessness and Perry’s characteristic possum behavior ) make this a satisfying and rousingly silly read-aloud. Ages 4–6. [em]Author’s agent: Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Alli Brydon, Bright Group. (July) [/em]