The Case of the Missing Mola Lisa #1

Q & Ray #1

by Trisha Speed Shaskan, Stephen Shaskan (Contributor)

The Mola Lisa is missing!

Someone sneaky has stolen the world's most famous painting. Good thing Q and Ray are on the case! These second-grade critters are Elm Tree Elementary's best crime solvers. Ray loves magic and stinky cheese. Q loves disguises and surprises. But can the super sleuths outwit an art thief?

Genres: Mystery, Graphic Novels, Childrens

Hardcover

Published March 1, 2018

About the author

As an author of 50 books for children, Trisha Speed Shaskan carries her childhood dreams into her adult life. With the upcoming picture book Trisha wrote THE ITTY-BITTY WITCH illustrated by Xindi Yan, Trisha celebrates Halloween, magic, brooms, witches, and self-empowerment. Trisha is also the author of the picture book PUNK SKUNKS and graphic novel series Q & RAY, which are illustrated by her husband Stephen Shaskan. When Trisha isn't writing stories, she loves to laugh, travel, and spend time with her dog Beatrix and husband Stephen.

Reviews

[Margaret]

When an event occurs with no initial logical explanation it can be considered a mystery. Likewise any story in which this type of event drives the main plot is named a mystery. As you read collecting the clues, it's like going on a scavenger hunt. Following along with the characters is almost as exciting as being there with them.

Down through the history of mystery fiction there are classic and contemporary detective teams; Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Frank and Joe Hardy (The Hardy Boys), Nancy Drew, Bess Marvin and George Fayne (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories) Emily Crane and James Lee (The Book Scavenger), Detective Rick Zengo and Detective Corey O'Malley (Platypus Police Squad), and Detective Wilcox and Captain Griswold (Wilcox and Griswold Mystery). For younger readers a new duo hits the scene in their first puzzler. The Missing Mola Lisa (Case #1 Q & Ray series) (Graphic Universe, a trademark of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., August 1, 2017) presented by the collaborative wife and husband team of author Trisha Speed Shaskan and illustrator Stephen Shaskan.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story of second graders solving a crime involving the theft of a painting called the Mola Lisa. There's magic, disguises, and a fun mystery that is clued enough that young readers could reasonably solve the mystery and feel pretty good about it. The illustrations are fun as well.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Q and Ray are itching for a mystery. In the meantime, they'll distract themselves with trying to figure out how the visiting magician does his tricks. When they go on a field trip to the local art museum, they get their mystery when someone swipes the Mola Lisa right off display. Can Q and Ray crack the case?

I like that there were just enough clues that kids could figure this graphic novel mystery out with the characters if they pay attention. I am not a huge fan of the art style, but kids won't care...it's a graphic novel so they'll gobble it up. Hand this to graphic novel fans and mystery fans.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two second grade rodent friends solve the mystery of the stolen Mona Lisa, putting together the things they have learned and seen. Good deducing and they look for hard evidence, good things to have in a lower grade mystery. Kids will love the graphic novel style.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shaskan, Trisha Q & Ray Case #1: The Missing Mola Lisa, 47 pgs. Graphic Universe (Lerner), 2017. $20. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G

In this graphic novel two critters from the Elm Tree Elementary are hoping to solve a mystery. After a field Trip Ray and Q have their wish –a famous painting –the Mola Lisa has been stolen. They have a list of suspects and that includes a magician that visited their school that morning. Together they investigate and enjoy Q’s secret disguises and Ray’s love of stinky cheese. Bright simple graphic novel illustrations.

I am always on the lookout for graphic novels for younger readers, but this one is a big too confusing for them. The disguises are confusing, especially since many of the characters looked similar as well and I was lost fairly quickly. I probably wouldn’t spend my library budget to add this book to my collection.

EL(K-3) -OPTIONAL. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Q (a hedgehog-like character) and Ray (a rat-like character) with the help of their teachers track down the thief who stole the Mola Lisa from the local art gallery. In this whodunnit graphic novel for the younger crowd (K-2?), the clever sleuths follow clues and finally track down the culprit. This may have to be read with an adult in order to follow the narrative on the page, but if a child likes mysteries solved by various animals, then they may enjoy this colorful comic. It's the start of a series.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q and Ray are super sleuths at Elm Tree Elementary and they are hot on the heels of the thief who stole the Mola Lisa! A fantastic blend of art, deductive reasoning, magic, and friendship!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little graphic novel!

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.