From the Publisher
"Readers will connect with this charmingly misunderstood pup (along with his exasperated howls, excited tail wagging, and sheepish grins)." —Kirkus Reviews
"A perfect option for newly independent readers ready to start transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books. Transitional readers are always in demand, and this series is a worthy contribution to any collection serving brand-new readers." —School Library Journal
"A delightful series start that will have kids returning to read more about Kayla and King. It's also a great introduction to mysteries, gathering facts, and analytical thinking for an unusually young set." —Booklist
School Library Journal
05/01/2017
Gr 1–2—King and Kayla are solving mysteries for a younger generation in this prequel to Butler's "The Buddy Files" series. The stories are told from the perspective of King, a golden retriever with a nose for solving mysteries. In the Case of the Missing Dog Treats, three treats go missing and Kayla suspects King. Innocent King knows that an intruder has snuck in and must be found out. Is the real culprit Thor, Jillian's new puppy? Or is it Adam, Jillian's brother? Or someone else altogether? In the Case of the Secret Code, Kayla receives a strange letter on her doorstep that she cannot read. King smells oatmeal on the letter and knows only of one person who smells like oatmeal. Kayla and her friend Mason work to decipher the secret code, while King keeps trying, unsuccessfully, to tell them he knows who sent the letter. This new series features colorful illustrations and accessible tales told in short, simple sentences. It's a perfect option for newly independent readers ready to start transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books. VERDICT Transitional readers are always in demand, and this series is a worthy contribution to any collection serving brand-new readers.—Lisa Nabel, Tacoma Public Library, WA
Kirkus Reviews
2017-01-17
In a brand-new series a girl and a dog are detectives, finding mysteries in everyday events.King is a dog (a golden retriever), and Kayla is his human (a brown-skinned gal with springy brown hair). Through King's narration, readers get a glimpse of a dog's innermost thoughts—which mostly revolve around food and not going outside (a common mistake made by humans). Kayla's inability to understand King's dialogue, rendered in perfect English both within the text and in thought bubbles, is a running joke in the series. In their first book, Kayla prepares King's favorite snack, peanut-butter treats. But alas, they are not for him! They are for her friend's new puppy, Thor. When some of the treats go missing, King seems to be the prime suspect. But his nose has picked up the scent of an intruder. How can he convey this to Kayla? In true detective fashion, Kayla makes a list of known and unknown facts. In the second book, published simultaneously, King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code (2017), Kayla again employs this strategy to solve the crime. Readers will connect with this charmingly misunderstood pup (along with his exasperated howls, excited tail wagging, and sheepish grins). The author of The Buddy Files whips up a light mystery fare for the younger set. (Early reader. 6-8)
