BOOKS

Mitzi Tulane Preschool Detective in What's That Smell?

by Lauren MCLAUGHLIN
Mitzi Tulane Preschool Detective in What's That Smell? illus. by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. 32p. Random. Jul. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780449819159.
COPY ISBN
PreS—Young detectives everywhere will love following along with Mitzi as she uncovers clue after clue that something is up at 123 Maple Street, until the very end, when she is surprised by the best birthday party in all her four years. This brightly illustrated story will be fun for young listeners as they try to guess what is happening. Will they figure it out before Mitzi does? The protagonist is brown-skinned, and her parents, doll, and little brother are white. The scenes of their relatives and friends are equally diverse and reinforce the subtle lesson that people and families come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
VERDICT Mitzi Tulane is a character whom children will enjoy meeting, and they will look forward to her future adventures.
Reviewed by Betsy Davison, Cortland Free Library, NY
Mitzi uses clues around the house to figure out what's different on a special Sunday. Through encounters with family members and investigating strange smells, she discovers that it's her fourth birthday! Subtle humor highlights a preschooler's way of thinking and is relatable for both parents and kids without being cloying. Bright, lively illustrations use the space creatively and depict a mixed-race family.
 , Sep 01, 2016

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