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Hedgehog Whodunit: The Carousel Caper
Get ready to join Hitch the Hedgehog and his sidekick, Vinnie the Rat, on a whirlwind adventure that proves even the smallest creatures can solve the biggest mysteries. This charming, hilarious, and fully illustrated chapter book will captivate young readers and encourage their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
It's merry-go-round mischief for Hitch the hedgehog! Hitch, a shrewd and edgy hedgehog detective, and his food-loving sidekick, Vinnie, are back with another mystery to someone's stolen the wooden cheetah from the City Zoo's carousel, and, according to Vinnie, "The longer it takes to pinpoint those pranksters who took that cheetah, the more animals they’ll likely steal, which could mean more pinching, more plundering, more pilfering! IT’LL TURN WILD AROUND HERE!”
A wild and ruckus-filled zoo is exactly what Hitch does not want, so he agrees to postpone his nap and solve the case. But that's easier said than done. From sneaky meerkats to a dramatic cabbage-eating contest, Hitch and Vinnie must navigate a series of comical and challenging events to catch the culprits and let Hitch take a nap, once and for all.
Through clever deduction, teamwork, and a few hilarious mishaps, Hitch and Vinnie manage to outwit the thieves and restore order to the carousel. Their journey is filled with witty dialogue, humorous illustrations, and engaging twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Hedgehog The Carousel Caper is a delightful and engaging chapter book that encourages young readers to solve puzzles and think critically. It's sure to inspire budding detectives and provide animal enthusiasts with endless enjoyment.
It's merry-go-round mischief for Hitch the hedgehog! Hitch, a shrewd and edgy hedgehog detective, and his food-loving sidekick, Vinnie, are back with another mystery to someone's stolen the wooden cheetah from the City Zoo's carousel, and, according to Vinnie, "The longer it takes to pinpoint those pranksters who took that cheetah, the more animals they’ll likely steal, which could mean more pinching, more plundering, more pilfering! IT’LL TURN WILD AROUND HERE!”
A wild and ruckus-filled zoo is exactly what Hitch does not want, so he agrees to postpone his nap and solve the case. But that's easier said than done. From sneaky meerkats to a dramatic cabbage-eating contest, Hitch and Vinnie must navigate a series of comical and challenging events to catch the culprits and let Hitch take a nap, once and for all.
Through clever deduction, teamwork, and a few hilarious mishaps, Hitch and Vinnie manage to outwit the thieves and restore order to the carousel. Their journey is filled with witty dialogue, humorous illustrations, and engaging twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Hedgehog The Carousel Caper is a delightful and engaging chapter book that encourages young readers to solve puzzles and think critically. It's sure to inspire budding detectives and provide animal enthusiasts with endless enjoyment.
96 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2025
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 20, 2025
Preusser did it again! This second book in Hedgehog Whodunit series will entertain all kids who love a good animal mystery that takes place at the zoo. Hitch the hedgehog and his sidekick Vinnie the rat will take readers on an adventure as they try to solve the case of the disappearing carousel animals. The fun word play and animal facts will delight everyone.
June 26, 2025
Tons of animals with personality bring silliness as an unexpected detective does his best to solve a case and, finally, gain the right to take a nap.
After solving the case in book one, Hitch (a hedgehog) is ready for some quiet time...and he doesn't see himself as a detective for the entire zoo, anyway. But with the wooden animals on the carousel disappearing one by one and bolts with nuts left behind, he realizes he won't get any peace until he figures out what's going on. Vinnie, Hitch's sidekick, is as lively as ever and is playing cowboy rat the entire time...which doesn't make interrogations with eccentric animals of the zoo any easier. As Hitch tries to collect the clues, the animals on the carousel continue to disappear, and it looks like he might not get to the bottom of things before they are completely gone.
This is book two in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
Hitch is a somewhat unwilling, hedgehog detective, which dresses like a detective but would rather get his nap than really leave his home and solve a case, but he's thoughtful, and it makes him easy to root for...even though it's as if he hits everything with extreme hesitation. Vinnie, his assistant and rat, is the opposite and overflows with hyper-energy. Vinnie adds complete ridiculousness to Hitch's seriousness. But it's the other animals which really bring in the quirky charm with their personalities in every extreme. It creates a fun atmosphere, where getting clues is more a problem of dealing with the individual animals, and unexpected twists hit constantly. Still, the clues are well laid out and create a solid trail, which is impossible to figure out until the end.
The writing fits nicely to the higher end of the chapter book audience and lets readers sink into unfamiliar terms and more difficult vocabulary while holding the playful and easier style. By that, I mean that the font isn't only on the larger side, but the font also changes with certain words to add emphasis and inflated emotions to keep everything fun and playful. It makes it enjoyable to read. The plot isn't extremely difficult, but rather, lets each silly scene build into the next. Some do seem to end rather abruptly, but that keeps boredom away and also fits well to the younger audience.
There are illustrations scattered throughout, which always adds a nice touch. These add to the humor and scenes to add extra punch as needed.
This books snuggles on the border of being quirky but doesn't really cross over, and instead, sticks to animal humor with silly personalities pure. There is a wholesome message at the end, but nothing overly stated. Plus, there are some animal facts sprinkled in to add goodness on that end, too. For readers, who enjoy animals, silliness, and mystery, it's one to pick up and enjoy.
After solving the case in book one, Hitch (a hedgehog) is ready for some quiet time...and he doesn't see himself as a detective for the entire zoo, anyway. But with the wooden animals on the carousel disappearing one by one and bolts with nuts left behind, he realizes he won't get any peace until he figures out what's going on. Vinnie, Hitch's sidekick, is as lively as ever and is playing cowboy rat the entire time...which doesn't make interrogations with eccentric animals of the zoo any easier. As Hitch tries to collect the clues, the animals on the carousel continue to disappear, and it looks like he might not get to the bottom of things before they are completely gone.
This is book two in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
Hitch is a somewhat unwilling, hedgehog detective, which dresses like a detective but would rather get his nap than really leave his home and solve a case, but he's thoughtful, and it makes him easy to root for...even though it's as if he hits everything with extreme hesitation. Vinnie, his assistant and rat, is the opposite and overflows with hyper-energy. Vinnie adds complete ridiculousness to Hitch's seriousness. But it's the other animals which really bring in the quirky charm with their personalities in every extreme. It creates a fun atmosphere, where getting clues is more a problem of dealing with the individual animals, and unexpected twists hit constantly. Still, the clues are well laid out and create a solid trail, which is impossible to figure out until the end.
The writing fits nicely to the higher end of the chapter book audience and lets readers sink into unfamiliar terms and more difficult vocabulary while holding the playful and easier style. By that, I mean that the font isn't only on the larger side, but the font also changes with certain words to add emphasis and inflated emotions to keep everything fun and playful. It makes it enjoyable to read. The plot isn't extremely difficult, but rather, lets each silly scene build into the next. Some do seem to end rather abruptly, but that keeps boredom away and also fits well to the younger audience.
There are illustrations scattered throughout, which always adds a nice touch. These add to the humor and scenes to add extra punch as needed.
This books snuggles on the border of being quirky but doesn't really cross over, and instead, sticks to animal humor with silly personalities pure. There is a wholesome message at the end, but nothing overly stated. Plus, there are some animal facts sprinkled in to add goodness on that end, too. For readers, who enjoy animals, silliness, and mystery, it's one to pick up and enjoy.
July 8, 2025
Kids will love this chapter book. Not only is it hilarious, which children always love, but it is a story full of action and filled with fun illustrations created by Gal Weizman. This lively whodunit will keep young readers turning each page as they try to figure out the mystery of who stole the wooden cheetah from the City Zoo's carousel.
Kids will love the quirky, funny animals and all the twists and turns that the story takes. The clues are well laid out and leave a solid trail, but tricky to figure out until the end. Perfect for capturing a young child's imagination and sure to cultivate the reader's critical thinking to solve the mystery.
I bet this book will inspire many young readers to include mystery and detective stories on their list of books to read as adults.
I loved the witty banner, the puns and wordplay throughout the book, and so will kids. Moms and Dads will be drawn to the book when they hear the giggles coming from their child. This is the second book, but it can be read as a standalone. However, kids will be happy to revisit the characters in the first book.
Kids will love the quirky, funny animals and all the twists and turns that the story takes. The clues are well laid out and leave a solid trail, but tricky to figure out until the end. Perfect for capturing a young child's imagination and sure to cultivate the reader's critical thinking to solve the mystery.
I bet this book will inspire many young readers to include mystery and detective stories on their list of books to read as adults.
I loved the witty banner, the puns and wordplay throughout the book, and so will kids. Moms and Dads will be drawn to the book when they hear the giggles coming from their child. This is the second book, but it can be read as a standalone. However, kids will be happy to revisit the characters in the first book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews