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ANNABEL THE DETECTIVE: THE CASE OF THE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Dorothy Joan Harris
Illustrated by Amanda Duffy
Toronto, HarperCollins, 1993. 32pp, paper,
$4.95, ISBN 0-00-647417-9. (Early Re ady Se t Read). CIP


Subject Headings:
Mystery and detective stories.
Birthdays-Fiction.


Kindergarten-grade 2 / Ages 5-7

Reviewed by Alison Mews

Volume 22 Number 3
1994 May / June


An easy-to-read detective story in whic h the intrepid Annabel solves a minor mystery,  The Case of the Birthday Surprise, will certainiy appeal to beginning re aders. It follows the format set by the two previous Annabel books,  The Case of the Missing Tooth¹ and  The Case of the Mystery Note.

In this story, Annabel receives a letter from her grandmother which contains a clue to her birthday present. With the aid of he r friend Michael, Annabel progressively unravels the clues provided and eventually is rewarded with her prize. Early readers will be rewarded, too, having successfully read a whole book!

Although not divided into chapters, the book has the appearance of a chapter book, with large type, bright illustrations and multi-coloured margins. The margins contain objects that appear in the ill ustrations throughout the book, and are the clues that Annabel and Michael find as they solve the story's riddle. This is a nice touch, and children will delight in discovering the clues in miniature.

Recommended for school and public libraries, for the Primary reading collection, or as a birthday present for an eager young reader.


Alison Mews is Coordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services, Faculty of Education, at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland

¹Reviewed vol.XIX/5 October 1991, p.304.

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