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The LittleBig Detectives: Lorelai and Niami, the True Duo of Crime Solving

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A mystery chapter book to spark your child's imagination, with enchanting illustrations. The perfect bedtime read for young minds passionate about detective stories! Lorelai is a bright little girl who adores mysteries. Like all the other great detectives in the world, she has an equally dazzling assistant, Niami, the toy cat with a nose for fishy business. Together, they engage in a mission of vital catching misbehaving toys in the act and teaching them a lesson.

Stolen newspapers, broken eggs on the kitchen floor, riddles written on mirrors with toothpaste... you are in for a real treat! Follow each case yourself and try to determine who did it, enjoying the fun detective work. The two detectives are ready to change the world, and they are eager for you to join them in their adventures! 

Why is this book perfect for young readers?

① Wonderful mix of adventure and mystery to keep a young reader engaged 

② Stimulates the child's imagination, encouraging critical thinking and reasoning

③ Each story has a moral/lesson to learn and discuss upon (difference between right and wrong)

④ Develop vocabulary and step up to the next reading level (useful glossary at the end)



113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2020

12 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

About the author

Alexandra Antipa

13 books89 followers

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for ... Lost  Bookland... .
434 reviews48 followers
November 22, 2020
Before I became a mother, I had a completely formed opinion about being a parent, and I believed I knew everything that is needed in order to raise well-behaved and educated children, how to solve everyday problems, and believe me that I shared the opinion with all those parents who struggled with the upbringing of their children…. Did I realize I was wrong as soon as I had my first one? Hell, yes! To say I was mistaken is an understatement…After becoming a parent, I realized that I had no idea what I was talking about. Raising children is one of the most difficult and responsible tasks in the whole world. How to bring up a child in this complex society, when obstacles are at every step? How to help them become socially responsible people? How can parents explain some things that the child does not have the ability to understand yet? Not a clue, but I am trying as hard as every parent out there….

Fortunately, since early age some really clever folks realized the same and started writing stories to help children understand the world around them. As a parent and an educator, I believe that children’s literature should be an integral part of every child’s life. Nowadays we can find numerous books that are specially designed to be able to assist us as parents and make it easier for every parent in the process of upbringing children. While searching for new, entertaining stories for my daughter, I was contacted by this author and received a copy of the book. I scanned the contents briefly and wasn’t sure whether it is a good choice for my little one, but one look at the cute cover, and my little monster would have a tantrum if we didn’t start reading it.

‘The LittleBig Detectives’ is a collection of interesting stories, which contain much more than what is seen at first glance. Each story is a new world in which the little girl Lorelai and her kitten Niami explore various topics, seemingly simple situations, perhaps foolish to us adults, but so complex at the same time. From ‘How Lorelai and Niami Met’ to ‘Some Eggs Get Broken’, each story contains enough elements to stimulate your child’s imagination, but also enough wisdom through hidden messages to encourage critical thinking and reasoning. Serious topics like stealing, spreading rumors, future careers, traveling are so skillfully woven into the seemingly simple and innocent children’s stories and interesting events with the toys, that without any problem they encourage the child to think about proper and improper behavior, what is good and what is bad . As you turn the pages, you discover that the book contains a multitude of layers, a mass of elements that fit so well into the texts of the entire collection. The author in a very skillful way emphasizes the importance of parents as an essential part of every child’s life, as well as the interesting story of Lorelai’s birth which perfectly reflects the beginning of life. Cultural elements such as Christmas celebrations are also an integral part of this book. What was a bit of a problem for me was that some of the stories were written in a slightly higher style than what my 5-year-old daughter could understand and reason on her own, but in addition to being a setback, it was also a challenge, giving us the opportunity to talk and discover new words, to get acquainted with new terms and to enrich her vocabulary. The author must have thought of the same, because at the end there is a glossary of flabbergasting terms that will help you explain the unknown words.

Each story can be read separately, because not every child really has the patience and motivation to read or listen to a number of stories in one sitting. At least, mine hasn’t got any. So we had great goodnight stories for a week. The beautiful and sweet illustrations completely complement the stories and greatly contribute to the increased interest of the children, as well as the opportunity to visualize the stories.

If you are also looking for a new collection of sweet good night stories, or lazy afternoon reads, you should definitely check out this book. Interesting stories, accompanied by cute illustrations that will surely attract your child’s attention and open a whole new world of ideas for thinking…. An ideal choice for children aged 8-12, which will not only help them learn new things, but will allow your child to improve their reading skills, as well as to learn new vocabulary.
Profile Image for mrsswiftnibpagewhisperer.
59 reviews21 followers
October 16, 2020
Lorelai – A bright little girl. Not only does she love mysteries, she is also a fabulous super sleuth herself. This adorable girl has founded her own Detective Agency and is always on the move to solve all the cases that come her way. Everyone around adores her. Time has come not for her to add another member into her agency and she is determined to find a partner soon.

Niami – A super intelligent cat. In the beginning, this bright cat lived in a toy factory. Niami loves mysteries and is a brilliant detective. At the toy factor, a lot of cases have been solved, thanks to Niami. She celebrates her victories over a tall glass of milk.

In every toys life comes a day when they leave the toy factory to move into a home. One such day arrives in Niami’s life too.

Who is Lorelai’s new partner?
Whose home does Niami come into?
What cases do these adorable duo solve?


Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
Recommendation – High

Conclusion,

This is an adorable read. We follow the main characters Lorelai and Niami, the most darling and just sleuths. The little adventures they embark upon to solve the cases are just the cutest. Brilliant characters and character development. The woven stories are so charming and delightful. Overall a lovely read.

Trigger Warnings – Nil
Profile Image for Paige.
1,856 reviews90 followers
August 17, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The LittleBig Detectives: Lorelai and Niami, the True Duo of Crime Solving

Author: Alexandra Antipa

Book Series: Standalone for now

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: children

Publication Date: August 3, 2020

Genre: Children’s Chapter Books

Recommended Age: 8+ (some little scary moments)

Publisher: Indie Published

Pages: 110

Synopsis: Lorelai is a little girl who adores mysteries. Her partner is Niami, a cat with a nose for fishy business. Together, they are the LittleBig Detectives and they have a very important mission: catching misbehaving toys in the act and teaching them a lesson.The two detectives are ready to change the world of the apartment in which they live. Join them in their adventures, as they fight crime and uphold justice. Prepare yourself for a wonderful mix of adventure and mystery. Newspapers are stolen, eggs get broken and riddles are written on mirrors... you are in for a real treat!

Review: Overall, I thought this was a cute children’s book! The book was adorable and I loved how the toys came alive. The characters were cute and child friendly. The world building was great and the book was simplistic enough for beginning readers to understand it. The book is a fun read for children and parents alike and I can definitely see how this book would inspire some children to be more inquisitive in their world.

Verdict: A cute read!
Profile Image for Denise.
398 reviews38 followers
March 7, 2022
This is such a fun and charming story about a little girl and her cat friend who take it upon themselves to solve every mystery that comes their way. It was quite amusing to read what such a young child was getting up to while her parents had no clue at all. This book also features a large cast of unique and silly toy characters, which bring a lot of extra fun to the story.

Each chapter focuses on a different case that must be solved and it also features a prominent lesson. I love how both fun and education are mixed in throughout the entire book. There is an overall theme about forgiveness, but also other lessons that include the importance of kindness, not judging others, not taking what doesn't belong to you, and more. I also enjoyed how the culprits would always take it upon themselves to confess to their crimes. This shows how important honesty is as well.

The end of the book features fun sections such as a "Glossary of Flabbergasting Terms" and "Misbehaving Toyos Who Are Now Model Citizens." I especially love the update on the toy characters, as it shows how people can grow and do great things despite their previous mistakes.

Overall, this is both an entertaining and educational book that children will surely love!
Profile Image for Melissa Sang.
35 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2021
This book was written beautifully! It had the details, storylines and stayed on track! The illustrations were spot on and also beautiful. I love how the author added a glossary in the back of the book! Would definitely recommend
Profile Image for Granthana Sinha.
Author 6 books53 followers
November 20, 2020
#requestedreview

🔸Review requested by 🔸
@kimituca
==============

The LittleBig Detectives by Alexandra Antipa

📓Genre: Children's Literature Fantasy
     Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠(4.7)

🔖During a time, when I was searching for the next perfect book to recommend for kids, the author @kimituca sent me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🔖Let me start by saying that this book is brilliant! It's fun, interesting & perfect for those little kids who have already fallen in love with the detective/mystery genre.
🔖The story centers around Lorelai, an intelligent little girl with an ability to find some sort of mystery in every possible situation. But almost all great detectives have an equally brilliant assistant. And thus enters Niami ― Lorelai's cute & clever cat. Each day the little detectives finds themselves solving mysteries, exposing misbehaving toys & restoring justice.
🔖Being a book for kids ― the cases are simple but really creative. The stories have both the quotient of mystery & reflect important morals.
🔖Plus, what I loved best was how the author interprets the vastness of a child's curiosity. The book beautifully captures how simple everyday things can become an element of wonder & mystery in the mind of a child.
🔖Complete with bright & lovely illustrations, this is the perfect book to gift your child this Christmas.

🔸Final Verdict: Great
🔸Book Cover: Kids will love it!
🔸Writing Style: Well-paced, Fun, Imaginative
🔸Character Development: Good.
Profile Image for Marcela.
Author 11 books16 followers
August 14, 2021
An adorable story full of mysterious adventures!

The LittleBig Detectives is a very cute and simple chapter book.  A perfect choice for children who are transitioning from reading picture books to something a little more advanced. Toddler Lorelai and her sidekick toy cat Niami, have many mysteries to solve. Most of which involve misbehaving toys, and teaching them a valuable lesson along the way.

The story is cleverly written and beautifully illustrated. Author Alexandra Antipa shows great imagination as she describes each mystery and engages the reader to help the two little detectives solve each one.  Children will love this story and its delightful characters!  Who doesn't like a good mystery?  Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Kim Wilch.
Author 6 books74 followers
July 28, 2022
I couldn’t quit laughing as the story unfolded in the child’s POV. Add in some fun characters like Miss Sweet Thing, Mrs. Frenchberet, Shorty Greypants, and more naughty toys. Together Lorelai and Niami the Cat solve household crimes such as the missing sock and the blue desk clock. I enjoyed when Detective Lorelai traveled with her books (Green Gables being my favorite)! The glossary of Flabbergasting Terms was the icing on the cake. What a work of imagination - this story will keep you and your child reading! Excellent!
Profile Image for Karen Olson.
Author 3 books16 followers
July 31, 2021
A curl up and read together book to enjoy!

What an imaginative story! With this precious gift to her daughter, the author has managed to give a delightful account of what goes on in the lives of very young children and their toys. It just happens to have parallels to making friends in the real world - there's some jealousy, lying, sneakiness but also love, forgiveness and respect. Very descriptive, with fun names for all of the toys, the sweet mysteries that Lorelei and Naomi solve will cause plenty of giggling. The 'narrator’ talks directly to the reader, making the adventures seem more intimate and real. A few adorable illustrations are found every few pages and they don't disappoint! I do believe much of this book is for older children but since the main detective starts out as a baby (I'd say quite the super baby!), there's plenty that younger children can understand. I recommend curling up and reading this book with your child as there may be some difficult concepts for them - it'll be well worth it as it's a very fun read!
Profile Image for James Roberts.
Author 15 books18 followers
November 3, 2020
This is a very fun chapter book for readers advanced past picture books. It is 105 pages divided into 15 chapters. Though it's about a toddler and her toys, this book is meant for advanced readers who may be older than the characters, and that's ok, since they should have no problem bonding with this playful group. The book contains 12 mysteries solved by the detectives, though it takes a bit of reading to get to the first mystery. The author gives a lot of background, 25 pages worth, about the main characters. Once they get going with their little detective agency though, it' quite a fun ride. There are just enough illustrations, done by the wonderful Sklakina, to spark the imagination of young minds. Well recommended as a challenging book for young readers ready to advance into their first chapter book.
Profile Image for Mahina Perrot.
Author 27 books2 followers
May 8, 2021
What a DELIGHTFUL book!
This book is simply brilliant!I think the author truly did a fantastic job creating an extremely compelling book that will stay with a reader, especially children, forever! Not only are the illustrations charming and enchanting, but the story and the little detectives' missions are carefully crafted, so much fun to read and highly creative!
I loved the way it tells the story of smart, gentle, quirky, highly intuitive and big-hearted little detective Lorelai, who couldn't wait to come out of her mom's belly to explore the world, from her own perspective, and from that of her partner, Niami!
Both of the main's characters' passion for solving cases and uncovering the truth is highly palpable and their desire to help others contagious. I felt like I was reading Mrs Marples all over again. Niami, Lorelai's partner is so full of zest and both have an incredible sense of adventure and always strive to right the wrong, all while keeping their heart open to giving wrongdoers a second chance. The little life lessons it shares, such as the importance of forgiveness, are also beautifully woven in the stories.
The names of the misbehaving toys are also super clever, hilarious and lovely and I love how interactive this book is, with the reader "talking" to the reader!
It is highly entertaining, brilliantly written, and a real page turner as it makes you really want to discover more about the naughty toys and how Lorelai and Niami go about solving their various cases.
The LittleBig Detectives is a rare and unique gem for kids and parents alike, as well as for anyone who enjoys lighthearted stories told from the heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I sincerely hope the author will write more books like those and even make it into a series! I'll be following Lorelai and Niami's adventures anytime anywhere!
All in all, this book is just exquisite! Highly recommended!!
Author 17 books4 followers
October 18, 2020
Fun and creative

This book is a great compilation of mini stories for your any little one with inquisitive minds. Perfect for bedtime book to read little stories each night. Creative and holds attention of my little one.
Profile Image for Caroline Masci.
Author 7 books53 followers
August 28, 2020
The little big detectives is a wonderful middle grade children’s book. It follows little lorlei as she navigate her way through issues brought to her by her friends. When she is introduce to Niami they become an unstoppable detective force making sure their apartment is safe for all their friends.

I really loved how interactive this book was, the author was really explaining the events occurring to the reader. Every chapter was put into a mini story format and I loved how they all ended he analogy by explaining what happened and the lesson to be learned from it. There was also a really helpful index at the back of the book which younger readers learning new bigger words could easily flip to with easy to read definitions, to make for a more challenging read (in a good way).

Each story was separated with lovely accompanying photos which really broke up the text nicely and added a bright vibe to the story. I loved how the boarder was a mixture of paw prints and baby feet it was a cute feature that elevated the book.

The storyline focused around the theme of Lorlei helping out her friends and it also showed how she met Niami which was super sweet.

This was a super cute book and it was very enjoyable, easy to ready and entertaining. The author has done a fantastic job of creating really cute easy to solve crimes and mysteries that make this book very relatable even for adults helping their children read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Profile Image for Vijaya Lakshmi.
57 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2020
The LittleBig Detectives is a children’s fantasy book. It is about a little girl Lorelai and her cat Niami who partner together to form a detective firm called the LittleBig Detectives.

Lorelai and Niami are set to straighten things up in their apartment by exposing misbehaving and unruly toys and disciplining them. The LBD as they are called solve many cases, including the case of a doll who would not sing, mystery of a missing sock , stolen newspaper, mystery of a clock to broken eggs and many more.
The mission of LBD is to bring out the truth and to transform misbehaving toys into model citizens. In their mission their motto is to allow a second chance but only to the ones deserving of it.

A very well written book with a vivid imagination. Each story has a moral and the illustrations are very beautiful.

The stories transport you that imaginary world. The subtlety with which the distinction between right and wrong is brought out with each tale is a beauty. Loved reading this heart warming book. A highly recommended bed time story book for children.

The USP of the book: You will have a constant smile on your face as you move from one story to the other. The stories not only entertain but also teach you something valuable and important.

Big Shout out to the wonderful author @kimituka for sharing this beautiful book with me.
Profile Image for Jillani Birech.
Author 9 books28 followers
October 13, 2020
Well, I love how the book cover is skillfully designed. I do love the carefully chosen title. This book is really suitable for children to start reading. The writer explains the events in a very easy and attractive way. Plus, the author writes it with a vivid imagination that the reader can follow the events easily. I do recommend reading this book. It's worth it.
Profile Image for Becci Murray.
Author 51 books16 followers
July 5, 2021
A magical book with lovely illustrations

This is such a great book for children who are just starting to read chapter books. Lorelai and Niami are a loveable detective duo, who enjoy nothing better than good mystery to solve. Full of adventure and excitement, with a lesson learnt in every story! Perfect for 7 years and up.
Profile Image for book_loversdreams Betty.
95 reviews10 followers
September 1, 2020
Book Review:
“The Littlebig Detectives” by Alexandra Antipa

I was so wonderfully surprised by the adventures of Lorelai and Niami that I could not stop smiling throughout this book. Lorelai begins her adventure even before she is born which was magical. She describes what she is doing, hearing and thinking in her “mommies belly” and how she is ready to be born and be a detective. She was even ready then to fight for justice and teach the world that we can learn to forgive others and maybe give them a second chance.

Lorelai tells us her insights throughout this book from start to finish. We learn adults can’t understand her but her trusted toys most definitely do. Niami is her trusted partner in the detective business and is a stuffed cat. They are a wonderful team. Through her detective work with Niami we are taught lessons of love, honesty, friendship, justice and forgiveness.

The learning aspects of this book make this a wonderful book for children from 8-12 to read. The author has a beautiful writing style and draws you in from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book and give this book 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for Mommyreads.
1 review2 followers
October 5, 2020
First i want to say thank you Alexandra for sending me a copy of this wonderfull book.
I read the book with my son (he is 5 ) and he loved it , he wants to become a detective now .
I can reccomend this to read with your child but also I think for the older children it is fun.

It is a lovely story about a little girl and her little toy cat. Together they go on many adventures, catching toys that are misbehaving .
It is a fun story , educational and it shows the wonderfull , unlimited creativity of children.

You did an amazing job writing this Alexandra.
4 reviews
September 17, 2020
This is a delightfully illustrated children's novel. The characters are intriguing and more than impressive.

The story is well-written, educational, and thought-provoking. The adventures of the two detectives are not only exciting, but it proves to be mysterious enough to keep one engaged.

I read this story to my niece since I do not yet have children of my own, and she loved it. I will save it until I do have children so that I can read it to them.

The font slowed the reading process, but the story made up for it. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Paddie.
38 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2020
I went into this book thinking it was a children’s book. I was wrong. It is a beautiful story told not only from a childs eyes, but from a Mother’s eyes watching her child. Throughout the book you can see the Mother’s eyes looking in. It is heart-felt and perfectly told. Each chapter builds on the previous one. There are many lessons to be learned from this book, young and old!
Profile Image for Natasha.
238 reviews88 followers
May 17, 2021
I read this book to my twins and they loved the story. There are adventures of a little girl and her cat presented through short stories, how they deal with problems that may seem trivial to adults but are actually huge for the kids. The stories are full of life lessons and morals, teaching how to differentiate between the good and the bad while being entertaining. It is a beautiful bedtime read.
Author 10 books3 followers
September 1, 2020
Adorable

This book is so sweet. The illustrations are lovely and really add to the magical feel. I think this book is a great introduction to reading for young ones. The chapters are set up so that it can be easily read little by little or in one sitting.
Profile Image for Chocoviv V..
85 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2021
This middle school novel had very cute illustrations and font. The sentence structure was easy to read. The idea that she was able to communicate with her toys and to solve their problems was full of imagination.
Profile Image for Toby Williams.
Author 8 books14 followers
June 22, 2021
LBD Solving Mysteries

A wonderful collection of crime-solving stories through the eyes of Lorelai and an array of toys. Each short tale progresses as this curious child grows and develops. The imaginative perspective was humorous and entertaining throughout. Great fun!
179 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2021
Lorelai and her amazing assistant!

A well written chapter book for readers to go on detective adventures with Lorelai and her assistant, Miami the toy cat. This book offers adventure to young kids with an emphasis on thought provoking vocabulary words.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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