The Case of the Hanging Food Catcher

The Case of the Hanging Food Catcher is a cleverly created science adventure book for young readers. Based on the Canadian TV series Scout and the Gumboot Kids, this book’s heroes, Scout and Daisy, will be familiar to many young readers already.

Although aimed at pre-school age children, the two anthropomorphized felted mice will be endearing to primary age students as well. The intricate backdrops for every page of the story are filled with details that will delight the curious as they follow Scout and Daisy on their quest to solve the mystery of the hanging food catchers.

As the adventure begins, Scout shares some sketches he made in his field notes, thereby modelling good record keeping for young readers. After following the clues outside in nature, Scout locates a book in his home library with some additional information to help them solve the case.

Spiders produce silky threads from glands in their abdomen. Some can spin this silky thread into sticky webs to trap their prey. When insects fly into or crawl on the web they get stuck, and the spider eats them. (p. 21)

Near the end of book, authors Eric Hogan and Tara Hungerford, who are also the creators of the TV series, include two pages of “Field Notes”. The notes include a brief but informative glossary, with words such as cephalothorax, a labeled diagram of an orb-weaver spider, and photographs with additional information in text boxes.

Spiders have short hairs on their feet that allow them to walk up walls, upside down on ceilings and over glass. Spiders taste by touching their food; the hair on their front two legs is sensitive to taste. (p. 29)

Also included at the back of the book is a three-step nature craft related to the mystery about nature weaving.

The Case of the Hanging Food Catcher will encourage young readers to be curious and creative about the natural world. The storyline is very gentle and reassuring, and it models learning while actively exploring nature.