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Pup Detectives #1
The First Case (1)
In this first installment of the Pup Detectives graphic novel series, the pup detectives of Pawston Elementary join forces to solve the crimes happening all around them. Can they nab the lunchtime bandit who’s been stealing all the best snacks from the cafeteria?
Puppy PI Rider Woofson thought he was the only detective at Pawston Elementary, but while bringing down a pencil theft ring, he finds out that there are other super sleuths at school. Fortunately (or not!) there’s plenty of pet- ty crime happening at Pawston, so Rider joins forces with the other puppy PIs to form the PI Pack—the best (and only!) detective group at school.
Their first case is high stakes because it hits every student in the belly…a lunchtime bandit is stealing the best food from the cafeteria! Will the Pup Detectives bring the noodle nabber to justice, or will the hungry students of Pawston be left to endure Soup Surprise for lunch every day?
Puppy PI Rider Woofson thought he was the only detective at Pawston Elementary, but while bringing down a pencil theft ring, he finds out that there are other super sleuths at school. Fortunately (or not!) there’s plenty of pet- ty crime happening at Pawston, so Rider joins forces with the other puppy PIs to form the PI Pack—the best (and only!) detective group at school.
Their first case is high stakes because it hits every student in the belly…a lunchtime bandit is stealing the best food from the cafeteria! Will the Pup Detectives bring the noodle nabber to justice, or will the hungry students of Pawston be left to endure Soup Surprise for lunch every day?
144 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2021
6 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 9, 2021
Pawston Elementary is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals with school day elements that readers will easily relate to: classes, recess, assemblies, lunch bandits, giant monsters... Well, maybe there's more to Pawston than meets the eye. Good thing the P.I. Pack (Pup Investigator Pack) is ready to tackle mysteries and sniff out clues (sometimes literally!). In the first two volumes of Pup Detectives, readers treated to fast-paced stories, full color illustrations, and good-natured characters.
The Pack starts as a pair of pups with Rider, a boy with a lot of spunk and determination, and Rora, an observant girl who thinks ahead. To complete their skills, Westie, a small boy who loves to invent, and Ziggy, a boy who has a strong nose and loves to eat, soon join the team! This group of four pups work well together and exchange plenty of silly dialog, often consisting of puns that will get kids giggling. The other students are often in the background providing commentary by way of their reactions and expressions in lieu of additional text. This method of storytelling is highly accessible to emergent readers while helping to fill up each page with more action. These background characters are an entire menagerie of animals including sloths, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles, and more; all are approximately the same size so we don't see elephants towering over tiny mice but rather looking eye-to-eye.
Both volumes are in full color with clear, digital illustrations. This gives the books a lot of appeal to readers who open it up to browse as they're sure to be greeted with a bright and interesting scene no matter what page they land on. Archanjo's images compliments Gumpaw's story well and the two have worked together to create a fun start of a new series.
These titles are fun but fall a little short in several areas. The aforementioned puns are abundant but many will likely fly right over the heads of their target readers, making the line a throwaway at best and confusing at worst. Characters, with the possible exception of Rora and Rider, aren't given much depth and are often boiled down to one key trait; Ziggy, for example, seems to have a personality based entirely around liking food.
The mysteries presented in each book are told in very different fashions so it's difficult to say how upcoming installments may flow. Book one, The First Case, offers visual clues to the readers regarding "whodunnit," allowing them insight into the possible ending. Book two, The Tiger's Eye, is a much higher-stakes mystery but leads readers by the hand to solve the case with them. The former method will be much more fun for readers while the latter type of mystery offers a more exciting story overall. Hopefully the creators will combine the best of both worlds going forward.
The Pack starts as a pair of pups with Rider, a boy with a lot of spunk and determination, and Rora, an observant girl who thinks ahead. To complete their skills, Westie, a small boy who loves to invent, and Ziggy, a boy who has a strong nose and loves to eat, soon join the team! This group of four pups work well together and exchange plenty of silly dialog, often consisting of puns that will get kids giggling. The other students are often in the background providing commentary by way of their reactions and expressions in lieu of additional text. This method of storytelling is highly accessible to emergent readers while helping to fill up each page with more action. These background characters are an entire menagerie of animals including sloths, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles, and more; all are approximately the same size so we don't see elephants towering over tiny mice but rather looking eye-to-eye.
Both volumes are in full color with clear, digital illustrations. This gives the books a lot of appeal to readers who open it up to browse as they're sure to be greeted with a bright and interesting scene no matter what page they land on. Archanjo's images compliments Gumpaw's story well and the two have worked together to create a fun start of a new series.
These titles are fun but fall a little short in several areas. The aforementioned puns are abundant but many will likely fly right over the heads of their target readers, making the line a throwaway at best and confusing at worst. Characters, with the possible exception of Rora and Rider, aren't given much depth and are often boiled down to one key trait; Ziggy, for example, seems to have a personality based entirely around liking food.
The mysteries presented in each book are told in very different fashions so it's difficult to say how upcoming installments may flow. Book one, The First Case, offers visual clues to the readers regarding "whodunnit," allowing them insight into the possible ending. Book two, The Tiger's Eye, is a much higher-stakes mystery but leads readers by the hand to solve the case with them. The former method will be much more fun for readers while the latter type of mystery offers a more exciting story overall. Hopefully the creators will combine the best of both worlds going forward.
September 14, 2021
This first installment covers the origin story of the "Pup Detectives." Not sure how they had never run into each other before in what seems to be a rather small school, but they meet each other for the first time in this book. I would have passed on inviting Westie Barker to join the group.
Rora has fantastic hair.
I'd love to get my hands on a "I love breaking pencils" shirt.
I'm not the only one who noticed the glaring typo in the first page's graphic?
Rora has fantastic hair.
I'd love to get my hands on a "I love breaking pencils" shirt.
I'm not the only one who noticed the glaring typo in the first page's graphic?
January 28, 2021
Perfect for kindergarten through 3rd graders. A mystery graphic novel for beginner readers. Not my favorite from this genre for this age group,but if you have a kiddo who loves mysteries, pups, and graphic novel formats, this is a great one for them.
November 15, 2021
While there are many animals (elephants, rabbits, mice, sloths, squirrels, etc.) who attend Pawston "Elementery" (sic) School, the heroes of this book are dogs. The author keeps things simple as the main characters all have one identifiable character trait: eating, inventing, solving mysteries. Thank goodness there are plenty of mysteries for them to solve, and a principal who is willing to hand over his keys willy-nilly to a group of students!
Adult readers set aside any logical questions about class schedules or supply issues. Instead, let the storyline sweep you up as the dynamic coloring and bold backdrops take you to another place, a place where mysteries MUST be solved! Nothing too dangerous happens here and bullies and bad guys always get their comeuppance, of course. There is something almost old-fashioned, something retro about this book. It's been checking out well, and I'm glad that I finally had a chance to read it. I'll give the second one a look too. Would recommend this for prodigious Kindergarteners-4th grade/5th grade.
Adult readers set aside any logical questions about class schedules or supply issues. Instead, let the storyline sweep you up as the dynamic coloring and bold backdrops take you to another place, a place where mysteries MUST be solved! Nothing too dangerous happens here and bullies and bad guys always get their comeuppance, of course. There is something almost old-fashioned, something retro about this book. It's been checking out well, and I'm glad that I finally had a chance to read it. I'll give the second one a look too. Would recommend this for prodigious Kindergarteners-4th grade/5th grade.
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February 10, 2021Rider Woofson and his team of sleuths are on the case to discover the conniving Lunchtime Bandit. Can they solve the case?
I wasn't thrilled with this, though I am wondering if I am struggling more with the direction of Little Simon graphic novel line than this particular novel (I also struggled with Super Turbo). I'm glad to see more graphic novels for younger students, but this felt like it was filling off a checkmark of tropes that are deemed "popular" with kids rather than writing a fun, original, engaging novel. I've enjoyed other more recent graphic novels for young kids more, including Pizza and Taco, Beak and Ally, and Pea Bee and Jay. It feels like this might be aiming for Dog Man fans, but the humor in Max Meow, InvestiGators, and even Agent Moose does a better job for that audience.
I wasn't thrilled with this, though I am wondering if I am struggling more with the direction of Little Simon graphic novel line than this particular novel (I also struggled with Super Turbo). I'm glad to see more graphic novels for younger students, but this felt like it was filling off a checkmark of tropes that are deemed "popular" with kids rather than writing a fun, original, engaging novel. I've enjoyed other more recent graphic novels for young kids more, including Pizza and Taco, Beak and Ally, and Pea Bee and Jay. It feels like this might be aiming for Dog Man fans, but the humor in Max Meow, InvestiGators, and even Agent Moose does a better job for that audience.
August 23, 2025
The art in this graphic novel is fun, inspiring, and expressive, drawing readers in to the exciting landscapes of the animal heroes at Pawston Elementary. The storyline for this one, though, has strong law-and-order themes, which might be challenging for families trying to teach kids the difference between right and wrong behaviors as opposed to a world of good guys (cops) vs bad guys (unrepentant predators). In this story there is a point where a character (a rabbit child who steals food because he is hungry) begs to go to prison to clean off the garbage into which he fell. So this might be a tough one for families with incarcerated relatives and definitely for families teaching abolitionist values. We might check out other volumes just because we enjoyed the illustrations, but if the storyline continues the caricaturization of "bad kids" destined for jail then we will hold off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2021
This is a great graphic novel funny mystery for early readers!
This story takes place at Pawston Elementary School where all the students are animals! Rider Woofson is the greatest puppy detective in the school. While on a case searching for missing pencils he meets Rora Gooddog. Together with a few other funny and likable characters they start a PI Pack. The PI Pack is ready to investigate all mysteries that come up at their school!
The mysteries are easy for your young reader to follow and involve familiar detective tactics and silly villain's!
Great for your 5-8 year old!
This story takes place at Pawston Elementary School where all the students are animals! Rider Woofson is the greatest puppy detective in the school. While on a case searching for missing pencils he meets Rora Gooddog. Together with a few other funny and likable characters they start a PI Pack. The PI Pack is ready to investigate all mysteries that come up at their school!
The mysteries are easy for your young reader to follow and involve familiar detective tactics and silly villain's!
Great for your 5-8 year old!
February 23, 2021
This book is a winner! I read a review copy to my 4-year-old and he wanted to read it over and over! It was our bedtime reading for five days straight.
The illustrations are well done! Very cute and expressive, and each character's personalities stood out by just looking at the pictures. The story is tongue in cheek, with just the right amount of comedy.
Follow the Pup Detectives' adventures in this awesome new series!
The illustrations are well done! Very cute and expressive, and each character's personalities stood out by just looking at the pictures. The story is tongue in cheek, with just the right amount of comedy.
Follow the Pup Detectives' adventures in this awesome new series!
March 8, 2021
Rider Woofston and his group of friends from Pawston Elementary band together to find out who is stealing all the food from the cafeteria. Can the pup detectives crack this case?
This graphic novel is great for the striving reader. Also, I received this as an ARC through #BookPosse. Thank you to the author and publisher.
This graphic novel is great for the striving reader. Also, I received this as an ARC through #BookPosse. Thank you to the author and publisher.
July 28, 2021
At Pawston Elementary School, Rider Woofson is the greatest puppy detective. But there is a mysterious bandit, stealing things from the cafeteria and Rider is going to need the help of Rora Gooddog, Westie Barker and Ziggy Fluffenstuff if he's going to solve the case.
Very punny.
Very punny.
August 21, 2021
Rider joins forces with two other students to become the Pup Detectives solving mysteries/crimes at their school. This case: who is stealing food from the cafeteria? Simpler graphic novel for 1st/2nd/3rd grade.
October 8, 2023
Kiddo really liked this one, he'd be the 4. Me personally a 3/2.5. A little corny, but fun. The ONE female character can't help but feel a little token. I'm hoping that improves as the series goes on.
September 16, 2020
Cute story. Punny. If Encyclopedia Brown met Arthur & Gang of TV (by Marc Brown)
March 31, 2021
Cute story.
May 2, 2021
3.5
Cute graphic novel for the elementary set. Nice bright graphics.
Cute graphic novel for the elementary set. Nice bright graphics.
May 4, 2021
Kids who loved Paw Patrol can graduate to the Pup Detectives.
May 26, 2021
May appeal to a first grader.
August 12, 2021
Rather goofy series, but younger beginning readers may like it. (Library)
October 15, 2021
I can see why Will liked this, but I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of these.
November 23, 2021
A super fun new mystery graphic novel series. Perfect for lower primary students just discovering the graphic novel format.
June 6, 2022
Fun and engaging illustrations. The humor made me smile. I think some of my elementary students will enjoy.
October 30, 2022
My daughter really enjoyed this story.
Read
August 4, 2023For mystery and pet lovers - graphic novel for early elementary - more in the series.
Read
February 15, 2021Keeping this on here even though I didn't get to read past chapter 2. B zipped right through it without me and is begging me to get the next one!!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews