The Mystery at Emerald Pond

Gr 1-3–In the third book in Winkler and Oliver’s “Detective Duck” series (following The Case of the Missing Tadpole), the creatures of Dogwood Pond are invited to the Emerald Pond Spring Games, where they can enjoy time with their friends, play games, and compete for the victory crown. The crew is mesmerized by Maxwell the duck, who is hosting the games; they are ­especially impressed when he helps ­Willow remove the plastic cup from her head. Then, Maxwell goes missing, and the crew must work together to find him and save him from harmful human waste. Winkler is a talented narrator as well as an actor; his skill makes this exceptional audiobook shine. The distinct voices used for each whimsical character are engaging and entertaining. Winkler paces the dialogue expertly, offering an experience that listeners can visualize and follow even without the physical book in hand. Apart from the ­dialogue, the narration is lively, sure to keep younger readers’ interest.