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Platypus Police Squad #4
Never Say Narwhal
From Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes Never Say Narwhal, the final installment in the hilarious, high-action illustrated middle grade series featuring two platypus detectives, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Jarrett's own Lunch Lady series.
Frank Pandini Jr. is the mayor of Kalamazoo City, and everyone is celebrating--everyone except for Zengo, O'Malley, and Cooper, who can't seem to close a single case. To make matters worse, a mysterious hulking shadow has appeared in waters around KC. Could this spell the end for the Platypus Police Squad?
Frank Pandini Jr. is the mayor of Kalamazoo City, and everyone is celebrating--everyone except for Zengo, O'Malley, and Cooper, who can't seem to close a single case. To make matters worse, a mysterious hulking shadow has appeared in waters around KC. Could this spell the end for the Platypus Police Squad?
Audio CD
First published May 17, 2016
19 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
66 books923 followersJarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.
In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.
Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.
In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.
Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 8, 2017
I thought that this book is really cool. It is a wonderful book it has a lot of excitment and alot of tension. I would recomened reading this book.
March 28, 2016
I read an E-ARC of this book through Edelweiss, and it is just as great as the others in the series. My third graders love these funny detective stories! I look forward to seeing the final version, because finished art was not yet available.
July 10, 2017
Great book in a great setting! This is about two police detective partners attempting to figure out why is a narwhal attacking people in Kalamazoo City. I will recommend this book to everyone who loves animals.
March 27, 2019
Book #4 in the series
Great read for my 4th header. Frank pandini jr is now mayor and maybe he’s not all the citizens of Kalamazoo city think that he is. The narwaal is spotted again the bay and was one who was involved with evil Frank pandini Sr. Why is Frank Jr involved with him? Is Frank hiding an evil side... just like his dad?
Great read for my 4th header. Frank pandini jr is now mayor and maybe he’s not all the citizens of Kalamazoo city think that he is. The narwaal is spotted again the bay and was one who was involved with evil Frank pandini Sr. Why is Frank Jr involved with him? Is Frank hiding an evil side... just like his dad?
September 18, 2019
This book had a nice ending to a really cute and funny series. I particularly liked how the audience knows Pandini is a bad guy, from the end of the other three books, but the PPS can't put it together until the very end of this one and it has a very exciting conclusion. I'm pretty sure I was more riveted than my son. Recommended for ages 7-11, 4-1/2 stars.
August 28, 2020
Platypus police squad never say narwhal is in my top favorites because there is a lot of action and rising tension out of nowhere. There trying to track benny the narwhal down because he was in a crime and then left now he's back and the platypus police squad is trying to track him down for the crime he did.
September 15, 2017
This was a great conclusion. It was so captivating. I loved it.
October 25, 2017
it was a good book
May 14, 2019
My kids are sad this is the last one in the series.
March 12, 2020
It was very active and i like the was there was a ton of action
August 13, 2021
Read this with my 8 year old boys. They liked it, but I thought it was terrible - even for a kids book.
October 20, 2025
Unironically 5 stars this was freaking awesome
March 8, 2017
Within this book, Platypus Police Squad Never Say Narwhal, three platypus detectives are investigating attacks on boats of all shapes and sizes. They believe the culprit is Benny the Tusk, but there may be more behind this mystery than what our heros think. I liked this book and it’s a easy read, but it’s the fourth book in the series so you should probably read the other three before you read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who like mystery and action.
August 16, 2016
Clear Review: Never say narwhal, by Krosoczka, Jarrett
Summary: The election celebrations of a new Kalamazoo City mayor are overshadowed by a crime spree and the activities of a mysterious hulking creature that are baffling detectives Zengo, O'Malley, and Cooper. Turns out a narwhal is causing mayhem at the city docks…or is it really the narwhal that is to blame for the recent crime spree?? Follow the Platypus Police on their 4th and final adventure as their suspicions lead them to who is responsible so they can save the day.
Review: This book is fast paced and plot driven. The story line will attract any child who enjoys detective stories, exciting mysteries, and comedy. The art work related to the story well and created a visual where the narrative did not. I would recommend this for grades 4-6 and kids who are new to mysteries and enjoy anthropomorphic characters. I would say it is your average juvenile series.
Summary: The election celebrations of a new Kalamazoo City mayor are overshadowed by a crime spree and the activities of a mysterious hulking creature that are baffling detectives Zengo, O'Malley, and Cooper. Turns out a narwhal is causing mayhem at the city docks…or is it really the narwhal that is to blame for the recent crime spree?? Follow the Platypus Police on their 4th and final adventure as their suspicions lead them to who is responsible so they can save the day.
Review: This book is fast paced and plot driven. The story line will attract any child who enjoys detective stories, exciting mysteries, and comedy. The art work related to the story well and created a visual where the narrative did not. I would recommend this for grades 4-6 and kids who are new to mysteries and enjoy anthropomorphic characters. I would say it is your average juvenile series.
September 3, 2016
This book is fast-paced and plot-driven. The story line will attract any child who enjoys detective stories, exciting mysteries, and comedy. The artwork relates well to the story and creates a visual where the text does not. Recommend this series to children in grades four through six, especially kids who are new to mysteries and enjoy anthropomorphic characters. (Reviewed by Amanda Curless)
September 28, 2016
This book is fast-paced and plot-driven. The story line will attract any child who enjoys detective stories, exciting mysteries, and comedy. The artwork relates well to the story and creates a visual where the text does not. Recommend this series to children in grades four through six, especially kids who are new to mysteries and enjoy anthropomorphic characters. (Reviewed by Amanda Curless)
May 1, 2017
The final book of the Platypus Police Squad series- I absolutely loved it. Read them all, read them in order.
Highly highly recommend.
Highly highly recommend.
July 26, 2016
Great ending to a fun detective series.
August 2, 2016
Review by A.H.: "A good conclusion to a great mystery series."
October 2, 2016
Satisfying and entertaining conclusion to the series.
March 4, 2018
cute and silly read
June 28, 2017
Awesome
Awesome book, funny and mysterious, really liked the mystery about Benny, very surprising, I like the narrator point of view
Awesome book, funny and mysterious, really liked the mystery about Benny, very surprising, I like the narrator point of view
May 31, 2016
So much fun. Keep it up, JJK!
Currently reading
November 14, 2018Platypus police squad Never say Narwhal by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, with 225 pages.
Frank Pandini Jr. is the mayor of Kalamazoo City, and everyone is celebrating everyone except for Zengo, O’Malley, and Cooper, who can’t seem to close a single case. To make matters worse, a mysterious hulking shadow has appeared in waters around KC. Detectives are investigating attacks on boats of all shapes and sizes. They believe the culprit is Benny the Tusk, but there may be more behind this mystery than what our heros think.
I thought that this book is really cool. It is a wonderful book it has a lot of excitement and a lot of tension. I liked the the end of the story because it was funny how Zengo slap the kid’s hand for touching his radio.
I think this book was the best because I actually understand what the story was about.
I liked that the book had some pictures. My favorite character was Zengo in this book.
The thing that I liked about the authors writing was that his font was cambria. I would recommend this book to people that like mysteries.
Frank Pandini Jr. is the mayor of Kalamazoo City, and everyone is celebrating everyone except for Zengo, O’Malley, and Cooper, who can’t seem to close a single case. To make matters worse, a mysterious hulking shadow has appeared in waters around KC. Detectives are investigating attacks on boats of all shapes and sizes. They believe the culprit is Benny the Tusk, but there may be more behind this mystery than what our heros think.
I thought that this book is really cool. It is a wonderful book it has a lot of excitement and a lot of tension. I liked the the end of the story because it was funny how Zengo slap the kid’s hand for touching his radio.
I think this book was the best because I actually understand what the story was about.
I liked that the book had some pictures. My favorite character was Zengo in this book.
The thing that I liked about the authors writing was that his font was cambria. I would recommend this book to people that like mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews