Not An Alphabet Book: The Case of the Missing Cake; Eoin McLaughlin, illustrated by Marc Boutavant

It was supposed to be a simple alphabet book, an enjoyable read from A to Z. But something disastrous has happened. The most delicious of chocolate cakes has been stolen and Bear needs your help in finding out who the culprit is. And the thief is lurking somewhere within this very book. Can you be a super sleuth and find out who stole the cake…

Oh, this book is so much fun. Engaging and entertaining, this is the most enjoyable of reads to help young readers with their A, B, C’s. Bear is determined to find out who stole the chocolate cake that was filled with cream and sprinkled with sprinkles. Could it be Fox who has a history of eating tasty treats…just ask Gingerbread. What about Kite…who thinks it ‘flies' above the law. Or is it Octopus…who has plenty of ‘arms’ to commit a crime. Walrus definitely thinks it has all the answers to reveal exactly who stole the cake.

As Bear ventures through the alphabet he questions everyone that he meets. Mr. Apple has no comment. Eye may have seen exactly what happened but it can not speak. And there are plenty of characters that are adamant that they did not have anything to do with it and a few that think they know exactly what happened.

I love the illustrations that are bold and bright and the ever-changing expressions on Bear’s face are a visual treat. Super sleuths will spot plenty of visual clues throughout that will help identity the real culprit. Something else I also enjoyed about this book is the use of non-traditional words for certain letters of the alphabet - I particularly enjoyed U is for Universe.

A funny twist on the traditional alphabet book and a read that young readers will thoroughly enjoy.

Recommended for 5+.