138. Detective Beans: The Case of the Missing Hat

Detective Bean and the Case of the Missing Hat. Li Chen. 2024. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [graphic novel; j mystery; j fiction; j friendship]

First sentence:  It's Over! I know it was you! 

Premise/plot: Beans is a detective-loving kitten with detective dreams of his own. His first "big" case involves his own missing hat! He left it on the bedside table--next to the open window--and in the morning it is GONE. Can he follow ALL the clues--no matter how many twists and turns--to find the whereabouts of his hat??? 

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved BEANS. The world of this one is peopled by CATS, and I'm here for it. I love and adore the illustrations AND the story. I love Beans, his mother, and his best friend, Biscuit. I love the main mystery and the back-burner mystery as well. This is a great graphic novel for young readers...and older readers who love all things CAT.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

132. The Underdogs: Catch A Cat Burglar

The Underdogs #1: The Underdogs: Catch a Cat Burglar. Kate and Jol Temple. Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon. 2021. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Let me tell you how many cats there used to be in THE UNDERDOG DETECTIVE AGENCY.... Zero. Zilch. Not one. Then along came Fang. One eye. Three teeth. A kink in her tail. You wouldn't pick her as a Dogtown detective, would you?

Premise/plot: Fang is a cat. Fang was raised in Dogtown. Fang wants to join the Underdogs Detective Agency. But she is a cat. Oh no! (I jest). Since Fang is the only applicant and there is a cat burglar on the loose, Fang gets to join. Can Fang (a cat) catch a cat burglar.

My thoughts: Probably a large part of my finding this meh, meh, super-meh was mood. (Though I don't recall being in a mood when I sat down with the book. Clearly by the end, I wasn't feeling it.) If you don't find it absolutely hilarious that a CAT--get this a CAT, an actual CAT--wants to work with dogs and catch a CAT BURGLAR, then this one probably won't be your cup of tea. The book's really counting on you finding this CAT trying to fit in with dogs thing to be an absolute RIOT. 

Fang (and company) do have a case to solve. And this case does involve--potentially--an actual cat as a cat burglar. This number one suspect is also a cat star. But a suspect is just that--a suspect who is innocent until proven guilty. Will the cat be the actual cat burglar? Maybe. Maybe not.

Again, I think the book is counting on you finding a CAT to be a CAT burglar to be a delightful hoot. 

I am not the intended audience (obviously). I somehow or other got in a mood while reading this one. It probably isn't the book's fault. Kids may love this one. Especially all the pee jokes. (Dogs peeing is hilarious, don't you know!) 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

121. Sloth Sleuth

Sloth Sleuth. Cyndi Marko. 2022. 192 pages. 192 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Psssst. Hey you, kid. Wondering what a sloth is doing parasailing? And why there's a long line outside the diner?

Premise/plot: Set on the tropical island of Winklefuss, Sloth (and friends) always have plenty of mysteries to solve. Winklefuss, so we're told, is home to plenty of criminals--criminal animals to be more exact. Though some of the residents are human. (Including a librarian and a police officer). So what kinds of cases are ongoing in Sloth Sleuth? Well, someone is stealing all the nuts, but, that is more of a back-back-back burning story. The main mystery story is WHY so many people are being poisoned at the local diner. 

My thoughts: This one has half-a-dozen gimmicks or so. Don't expect tons of character development. Do expect plenty of sloth jokes--sloths falling asleep, sloths going slow, sloths pooping, etc. Paz, our sloth sleuth, is adorable. I won't lie. But the story wasn't much. The cast of characters has/had potential. But that same cast is also very large. So very few are developed. They do offer limited comic relief. Like the island's biggest crime boss being a goldfish still in the bag. But overall, as an adult reader, and an adult reader who isn't all that enthusiastic with graphic novels, I was a bit disappointed. I would be curious if kids in the actual actual target audience (mid-elementary) liked this one. Or perhaps they might even love it?

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

44. The City of Ember

The City of Ember. Jeanne DuPrau. 2003. 270 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark.

Premise/plot: The City of Ember is one of my all-time favorite books. Ember was built by the BUILDERS to protect humanity from its biggest threat in dark, dark days. Hundreds of years have passed, the inhabits of Ember know nothing of the world outside. They know nothing of blue skies and yellow sun. In part, the builders wanted it that way--to protect the people from knowledge of the past. But the time has come--has almost come and gone, in fact--for the people to leave Ember behind and rejoin the world above. The problem? The instructions have been lost. And only one person even knows that something important--something vital--has been lost and is worth searching for. And few take her words seriously because she's "senile" and "not herself." Lina Mayfleet, our heroine, stumbles upon these instructions quite by accident, and really all in thanks to her baby sister, Poppy. Will she be able to decode the instructions--what remain of them after Poppy's little snack--and solve the mystery? It is too big to solve on her own. But Lina has a few good friends that she thinks are trustworthy--and clever. The one who becomes her best friend is Doon Harrow. These two grow close as they work on solving the problems that threaten life as they know it.

My thoughts: I love this book. I do. I can't believe--in a way--that it was the author's first book. It is just MARVELOUS. I love the world-building. I love how thought-provoking it is. And I love the characterization. It is one of those rare books that defies expectations. It is premise-driven, plot-driven, and character-driven.

One of my favorite quotes:

The trouble with anger is, it gets hold of you. And then you aren't the master of yourself anymore. Anger is. (89)

 ETA: I have read this book half a dozen times at least. It is a true favorite. I don't always write new reviews of books that I have read *that* many times. There are only so many ways you can come up with an original-ish summary of the plot. And my love of the book hasn't diminished through the years. I believe I first read it in 2007.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

68. The Awful Pawful

The Awful Pawful (Jack Russell Dog Detective #5) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2007. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: We had been on vacation with Sarge and Auntie Tidge, but Foxie and I were glad when the train arrived at the station. Vacations are fun, but there's no place like home.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, our dog detective, is back for his fifth adventure. In this one the case is practically an EMERGENCY. Someone--someone Jack nicknames the Awful Pawful--has been clawing dogs on their noses! The dogs of Doggeroo are SCARED and hiding. Those that have been hurt aren't talking to Jack. But Jack isn't discouraged. He will find out the identity of the Awful Pawful even if it means using his handsome nose as bait.

My thoughts: I really love this series oh so much. I really love Jack and all his friends. These chapter books feature just the right amount of illustrations and text. I love the nose maps. I love the Jack facts. I love the glossary. I love how each one can work as a stand alone. You don't need to read the books in any particular order. The books have a fun, playful vibe.

Jack's Facts:

• People don't speak Dog. Dogs don't speak Person. You don't have to speak the same language to talk about dinner. This is a fact. (8)
• People think bed are for people to sleep in. Dogs think beds are for dogs to hide under. Dogs know better than people. This is a fact. (18)

Glossary:

• ig-gnaw. Ignore but done by dogs.
• pawfect. Perfect, but about dogs. If it was cats, it would be purrfect.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

67. The Lying Postman

The Lying Postman. (Jack Russell Dog Detective #4) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2007. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Foxie and I were digging a hole in Foxie's yard. Kitty Booker, the Doggeroo librarian, came though the gate, carrying a big basket.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell is back to solve another mystery. This may not be the most traditional of mysteries. Jack notices that the new postman is super-angry, bitter, and HATES dogs. So, of course, he lies about all the many dogs on his route. But Jack Russell wants to know WHY. Why is he wanting to stir up trouble in the community? Did a dog actually try to bite him? If so, which dog and why? Jack Russell has help from his friends. How can he show the humans the truth?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I did. I think the Jack Facts were even more enjoyable than usual. (And usually, the Jack Facts are among my favorite elements of the book.) The book is fun. The characters are fun. It's just a treat of a book. (Though sadly there are fewer treats in this one--for the dogs. Poor Foxie has been put on a diet!)

Jack's Facts:

• Where there are cats, there is cat food. Cat food is good--even for dogs. Dogs eat faster than cats. This is a fact. (6)
• Cats insult dogs. Dogs insult cats. The cats always start it, therefore it's their fault. This is a fact. (11)
• Postman always rattle mailboxes. Dogs bark when postmen rattle. Postmen yell when dogs bark. That's how you play the Postman Game. This is a fact. (14)
• Dogs are hunters. Telling their people they haven't been fed is just another form of hunting. Therefore lying about food isn't really lying. This is a fact. (37)
• Most dogs have hackles. Some dogs have hackles that make other dogs laugh. Dogs like that should not raise their hackles. This is a fact. (66)

Glossary:

• Upsettered. Bothered and upset a setter.
• In-terrier-gate. Official questioning, done by a terrier.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

66. The Mugged Pug

The Mugged Pug (Jack Russell Dog Detective #3) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2007. 76 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sarge and I were about to go for our Saturday walk when the terrier-phone rang.

Premise/plot: There's a thief in Doggeroo! Someone is STEALING dog collars. Can Jack (and his friends) solve the mystery? It might take a few nose maps and interviews, but Jack is one determined dog!

My thoughts: I really am enjoying my reread through this series. I definitely recommend the series as a whole. And I think each book could potentially stand alone. I don't think you'd have to read the books in series order to enjoy. This could be quite helpful in a classroom library!

So Jack, our narrator, is just as delightful as ever. The Jack-Facts and glossary remain some of my favorite things about the series.

Jack Facts:

• My collar is old and comfortable. It has my name on it. It smells like me. My collar is perfect. It is mine. This is a fact. (4)
• When you have been badly treated you have to show it. If you don't show the way you feel, no one will be sorry for you. This is a fact. (12)

Glossary:

• Yip-notize: To hynotize, as practiced by a terrior.
• Appaws. Cheering and paw-prancing to praise a clever act.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

65. The Phantom Mudder

The Phantom Mudder. (Jack Russell Dog Detective #2) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2006. 76 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: One wet Friday, Sarge told me about the Doggeroo Dog Show.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, our hero dog-detective, returns for his second adventure in The Phantom Mudder. Once again we have a mystery to solve. The action occurs at a local dog show. SOMEONE--the Phantom Mudder--is muddying ALL the dogs before the show. Can Jack Russell push past the smell of soap, soap, and more soap and find out WHO is determined to ruin the dog show?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. I think I do love it more than the first book actually. Jack is as adorable a narrator as ever. And the mystery seems more solid in my opinion. Once again Jack is sharing his Jack Facts and his glossary.

Jack's Facts

• Dogs understand what humans say. Humans think they understand what dogs say. Therefore dogs are smarter than humans. This is a fact. (2)
• A Jack Russell may be sweet. A Jack Russell may be little. A Jack Russell is never a "sweet little doggie." This is a fact. (18)
• Dogs don't do anything if there's nothing in it for them. People sometimes do. That makes dogs smarter than people. This is a fact. (34)

Jack's Glossary

• Daching. The way dachshunds move about.
• Skulldoggery. Wicked goings on that concern dogs.
• Bathwater. One of the worst swear words I know.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

64. Dog Den Mystery

Dog Den Mystery (Jack Russell Dog Detective #1) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2006. 76 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Round and round and round. The paws are faster than sound. Round and round, round and round, round and...

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, our hero, is moving with his human, Sarge (a police detective), to a new town, Doggeroo, in this first installment of a mystery series for young readers. As he's settling into his place--in particular his new back yard--he discovers some disconcerting smells and makes some observations. His yard HAD an old boot when they arrived, but, soon after the boot is gone. At first he's fine--it's not HIS boot--but then his own things (like his food bowl, his blanket, his squeak bone, etc) go missing. Can Jack Russell solve this case of burglary and reclaim his stuff?

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I loved the narration/narrative style. Jack has a very unique voice. He includes plenty of JACK FACTS and a glossary with each chapter. It is a fun, light-hearted read. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the illustrations.

Jack Facts

• Cars have windows. Dogs have noses. When these things come together, one must be stuck out the other. This is a fact. (4)
• Scratching and yapping gets you into the house when you're out. Scratching and yapping gets you out of the house when you're in. This is a fact. (14)
  

Jack's Glossary

• Squekes. Small hairy dogs with bulging eyes and loud yaffles. (34)
• Pan-dog-monium. A lot of noise that involves dogs. (62)

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sherlock Chick's First Case

Sherlock Chick's First Case. Robert M. Quackenbush. 1986/2019. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Sherlock Chick's first case began on the day he was born. At once, Emma Hen and Harvey Rooster knew that he was special. With that, his proud parents named him Sherlock. His first words were, "Are you in need of a detective?"

Premise/plot: Sherlock Chick tackles his first case in this newly republished picture book by Robert Quackenbush. Someone has taken the CORN?!?! Can Sherlock follow the clues and solve the mystery?!

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. It was super fun. I loved the problem-solving at the end of the book. It was a hoot.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10


© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Case of the Sleepy Sloth

The Case of the Sleepy Sloth. (The High Rise Private Eyes #5) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. 2002. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bunny and Jack liked to picnic with pizza. Jack brought the pizza, Bunny brought the pop, and they went to the docks downtown. "Now don't give the seagulls any pizza," said Bunny. "They'll just linger." "But they always look so hungry," said Jack. "That's because they are always hungry," said Bunny.

Premise/plot: While at the docks, these two private eyes stumble onto a new case. Ramon (a dog) has lost his one and only lawn chair from his houseboat. Can Bunny and Jack help him find it?

My thoughts: I like this one. I do. I enjoy the banter between Jack and Bunny.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Case of the Puzzling Possum

The Case of the Puzzling Possum (High Rise Private Eyes #3) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. 2001. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bunny collected buttons. She had a lot of them. Probably a million. "Bunny, you've got probably a million buttons," said Jack every time he visited. "Yes," said Bunny proudly.

Premise/plot: Jack and Bunny have a new case to solve in this early chapter book mystery series. Someone is "borrowing" a trombone. The mystery thief steals the trombone and then returns it--time and time again. Who is the thief? What is his (or her) motive for taking the trombone?

My thoughts: I like Jack and Bunny. In this one, Jack is trying to "prove" how nice he is--or how nice he can be. Unfortunately, being nice on purpose leads to a few messes. Does being extra nice make up for his accidents? Perhaps.

I enjoy this series. Rylant's writing is always enjoyable. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Inspector Brunswick: The Case of the Missing Eyebrow

Inspector Brunswick: Case of the Missing Eyebrow. Angela Keoghan. Illustrated by Chris Sam Lam. 2017. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: After a long week of solving cases, Inspector Brunswick, the world's greatest cat detective, and his loyal assistant Nelson were taking a well-deserved break at the art museum.

Premise/plot: Inspector Brunswick is a cat detective; Nelson is the dog assistant or sidekick. These two find a mystery at the art museum. An eyebrow from one of the paintings is missing. Who could have taken it? And why?

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one because it stars a cat AND it is a mystery as well. Unfortunately, I didn't find myself loving it. Not every book has to be a love, of course. One fun thing I did enjoy about this one is that the works of art interact with the story. When the eyebrow goes missing, ALL the paintings react. One painting is of a mother and child: she's covering his eyes from the horror of it all.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Nate The Great And The Hungry Book Club

Nate The Great and the Hungry Book Club. By Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat. Illustrated by Jody Wheeler. 2009. (November 2009) Random House. 64 pages.

My name is Nate the Great. I am a detective. My dog, Sludge, is a detective too.

Believe it or not, this is my very first Nate the Great book. And I liked it. Nate the Great has not one but two mysteries to solve in this one. Both about books. His friend, Rosamond, has a problem. She discovered it after one of the meetings of her book club. Her cook book--that she uses to prepare tasty treats for the club meetings--is missing a page. It was "torn, ripped, ruined." (Sad, sad start isn't it?) So Rosamund invites (Nate may say forces) him to attend her next book club meeting to see if he can solve the mystery. Is one of her book club members at fault? And if so, who did it? And why? This next meeting leads to a second mystery. Another missing page from another book? What is going on here? Is it the same culprit at work? Will Rosamond's books ever be safe again?

It was fun. It was cute. I especially loved listening in on the discussion of the book club as they read (and discussed) Harvard Hedgehog.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat

Riddell, Chris. 2008. Ottoline and the Yellow Cat. HarperCollins. 171 pages.

This one is short. Very short. At least if you're an adult reading it! I finished it in about thirty minutes. Which reminds me, if I was eight and needing a book to write a report on or give a report on...I so would have chosen something like this! Because there are illustrations here, there, and everywhere. Some pages are mainly illustrations with only a few sentences. (In other words, this is a book Alice would have wanted to read too!)

Anyway, Ottoline is our heroine. She lives with Mr. Monroe, a hairy little guy from a bog. (Her parents travel the world and aren't in the picture much except for sending her postcards every now and then.) The book is a funny mystery. It's the start of a series too. So this one has many different reasons why it could be an appealing choice for young readers in the mid-elementary grades.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Jack Russell: Dog Detective: The Kitnapped Creature

Odgers, Darrel and Sally. 2008. The Kitnapped Creature. Kane/Miller. 80 pages.

I loved, loved, loved The Kitnapped Creature. This one is the eighth in the Jack Russell: Dog Detective series.

It was past breakfast time, and my food bowl was empty. I was about to leap out of my basket and assess the situation when I remembered something pawfully important. I was sharing my basket with someone else.

This someone else is a puppy, Preacher. (His mom is Jill Russell).

I was doing what dogs do when I heard a squeak. Next came a whine. The whine quickly grew to a yelp, and then to a screech.
Preacher was awake.
That's my boy! I thought. I was as quiet as a Jack could be, but he detected the Jack-gap when I left the basket. I was proud of him.
I trotted back and stuck my nose under the blanket. The screeching stopped.
"You left me!" yipped Preacher
"I had to do what dogs do before breakfast," I explained. "You should do it too."
Preacher peered over the edge of the basket. "I can't get out."
"Of paws you can," I said.
"I can't. I can't I --"
I pushed my nose under his fat tummy and flipped him out of the basket.
"Come on," I said. "No puddles in bed."
Preacher picked himself up. "You flipped me."
I bustled Preacher down the steps. (2-3)

Preacher is a lot like Jack--though he's still got a LOT to learn about life. He makes nose maps just like Jack. Well not quite like Jack. Here's one of his nose maps:

Preacher's map:
1. Sleepy place.
2. Dad's toy.
3. Dad's eatie.
4. My eatie.
5. Ouchie-claw creature.
6. My chewie thing.
7. Snappy Snarly thing.

I was proud of him, but I had to explain that Jacks don't have toys. (7)

What case is Jack trying to solve this time round? Well, it involves a certain "ouchie-claw" creature. The 'awful pawful' creature is back only this time he (or is it a she?) is the victim. He's been kidnapped! Jack witnessed this himself. But can he get help (human help) in time to 'save' this unfriendly cat?

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Jack Russell: Dog Detective: The Buried Biscuits

Odgers, Darrel and Sally. 2008. The Buried Biscuits. 80 pages.

The Buried Biscuits is the seventh book in the Jack Russell: Dog Detective series by Darrel and Sally Odgers.

The Case of the Buried Biscuits began early one morning. First, there was the fight with Foxie. then there were the boys, and the burrows in the park. But I'd better start at the beginning.

Jack notices two boys behaving oddly one day. These boys, whom he calls Stick and Kick, are definitely acting suspiciously. Could they be related to the appearance of strange and "unspecial" biscuits (people cookies) that have been turning up in the neighborhood? It's up to Jack to solve the case.

My favorite thing about this one wasn't the case-solving. No, it was the big-reveal of Jill Russell's surprise.

Jack's Facts

Dogs wag tails.
Now and then, tails wag dogs.
This happens if a dog is especially pleased.
This is a fact. (63)

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Jack Russell: Dog Detective: The Sausage Situation

Odgers, Darrel & Sally. 2007. The Sausage Situation. Kane/Miller. 80 pages.

If you like dogs and mysteries, then you should give Darrel & Sally Odgers' Dog Detective series a try. The Sausage Situation is part of that fun series, number six to be precise. (Though you can read the books in any order. You don't need to begin at book one.) This book, as you might have guessed, is all about sausages. Jack, our narrator, is good friends with the dog next door, Foxie. And one day these two smell out a sausage delivery. Foxie, of course, is thrilled. The van is stopped at his house, therefore the sausages must be his. From that moment on, those sausages are his--and he isn't planning on sharing. But is that really the case? What do you think! When those sausages (or some of those sausages) are passed along--brought to Dog and Sausage day...well, let's just say that what happens next is a comical adventure. It's not so much a mystery as the others. But it's cute in its own way.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Jack Russell: Dog Detective: The Awful Pawful

Odgers, Darrel & Sally. 2007. The Awful Pawful. Kane/Miller. 80 pages.

This is the fifth book in the Dog Detective series by Darrel & Sally Odgers. In this mystery-adventure, Jack is out to solve the case of "the awful pawful." Someone--or something--is making all the dogs in the neighborhood hide. It's very very strange. Why are there no dogs out and about in their yards? Where have all the dogs gone? What Jack finds is that some dogs are even hiding under their owner's beds. Afraid to go out of the house. Afraid "the Awful Pawful" will get them. What is this threat all about? That's what Jack wants to know. And since no other dogs are willing to act as bait, it's up to Jack to learn the answers the hard way.

Jack, as always, makes for a great narrator.

Jack's Facts

People think beds are for people to sleep in.
Dogs think beds are for dogs to hide under.
Dogs know better than people.
This is a fact. (18)

Jack's Facts

People don't speak Dog.
Dogs don't speak Person.
You don't have to speak the same
language to talk about dinner.
This is a fact. (8)

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Jack Russell: Dog Detective: The Lying Postman

Odgers, Darrel and Sally. 2007. The Lying Postman. Kane/Miller. 80 pages.

This is the fourth in the Dog Detective series by Darrel and Sally Odgers. Here are my links to the first three books: Dog Den Mystery, The Phantom Mudder, The Mugged Pug. What mystery will our dog detective solve this go round? When Auntie Tidge (and Foxie) cat sit Fat Molly, the whole neighborhood gets a bit moody. Foxie doesn't like that he gets put on a diet. But he really, really doesn't like the fact that there's a new postman making rounds in the neighborhood. And instead of being a good sport, he's a big old meanie. He kicks Foxie for barking! And that's just the beginning. He is talking bad not just about Foxie...but about all the dogs in the neighborhood. Accusing them of biting, attacking, and acting wild. Something has to be done, but just what will that something be?! Can Jack solve this case before all the dogs get a bad rep?

I just thought I'd mention that while these books are part of a series, the books stand alone quite nicely. You don't have to read the books in any particular order.

I also thought I'd share a few of my favorite Jack fact's:

Jack's Facts
Cats insult dogs.
Dogs insult cats.
The cats always start it, therefore it's their fault.
This is a fact. (11)

Jack's Facts
Postmen always rattle mailboxes.
Dogs bark when postmen rattle.
Postmen yell when dogs bark.
That's how you play the Postman Game.
This is a fact. (14)

© Becky Laney of Young Readers