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I Love Mysteries
Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues is a collection of engaging mysteries for children featuring Natty and her invisible friend Doggy Dale. What was the inspiration behind this children’s book?
My inspiration for writing this mystery book series was my love of mysteries. I have always loved reading mysteries from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie and enjoyed reading mystery books with my kids. These books included Cam Jansen, Encyclopedia Brown, and The Baby-Sitters Club. Scooby-Doo has always been a favorite of mine and makes an appearance in one of the mini mystery books. As I worked through the various iterations of the book the idea of a ghost dog and how he helped Detective Natty’s famous great-grandparents solve mysteries.
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues?
I have always loved reading and writing and have been writing for most of my life. Throughout the years I have taken many writing courses and belong to several writing groups to continue to develop my skills as a writer. I have published several award-winning children’s books in addition to four nursing books.
The art in this book really meshes well with the storyline and adds to each mystery. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?
Ashleigh Heyns (illustrator) is a talented and creative illustrator. We collaborated on one of my picture books No Dinosaurs Allowed and she was a delight to work with. The illustration process for Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues was a collaborative effort between Ashleigh, Callie (Editor and Publisher from Clear Fork Press) and me. I shared my vision for the book and then Ashleigh did her magic and we all reviewed and agreed upon the illustrations. I am blessed to be a part of this “Dream Team” and look forward to creating the future books in this fun new mystery series.
Can you give readers a hint as to what Natty and Doggy Dale will be up to in book two of the series?
I am excited to share some hints about the next book in the series. Readers will also find some clues
about the next book at the back of the current book.
Book two takes place at the amusement park and will include the main characters and a cast of diverse supporting characters. Detective Natty and Doggy Dale will be on the case as they follow the clues to help their friends find their missing items.
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Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues
Natty and her friend Doggy Dale are skilled detectives. The duo has been practicing solving mysteries for quite some time now, and they have a new case on their hands. Harry’s shoe has gone missing. If he doesn’t find it soon, his mom won’t allow him to go to football practice. Natty and Dale soon get to work, finding clues and taking notes. Natty is eager and Doggy Dale, who learned his detective skills from Natty’s great-grandparents, is right by her side. Will they be able to solve the case in time?
Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues, by Deborah Hunt, is an engaging children’s book featuring Natty and her invisible friend, Doggy Dale. Natty and Doggy Dale make a wonderful pair. Natty pays attention to details and takes her work seriously, while Doggy Dale is good at finding clues. The book is filled with exciting adventures, and each mystery is its own unique story. This easy-to-read book is ideal for younger readers. The illustrations throughout Natty and Doggy Dale’s story are expressive and detailed, drawing readers further into each mystery. I like that the author includes a summary following each mystery. This aspect of the book enhances comprehension for young readers.
Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues, by Deborah Hunt, is a fantastic gift for any child. Teachers in elementary grades will find Hunt’s book to be the perfect length for a fun read-aloud. I recommend it to all parents, guardians, and teachers who are looking for interesting children’s books to add to their libraries.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0CCR9V6T4
Pentagon Pirate Gang
Eleven-year-old Aime Snave and her little brother, eight-year-old Oro, prepare for summer camp at the School of Fruit Learning. Accompanied by Aime’s best friend Gramon and Oro’s friend shy, little Violer, the foursome enters a mysterious world full of mystery and hidden magic. While at the school run by strict headmistress Mrs. Blackfruit, the children meet a new friend: inquisitive Semia, who is certain that all is not as it seems. Navigating the many teachers of the school, all of whom seem to harbor deep secrets, the five soon discover that they are part of something much larger than they ever could have imagined. History soon begins to repeat itself, with five young children caught in the middle of its deadly wake.
Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secrets of the Orchard by J.W. Nelson is an engaging read which focuses on a tightly knit group of five friends (the Pentagon) as they struggle to uncover the truth about the Hogwarts-style school and its mysterious past. The story is well-written, with substantial world-building and deep characters. There are no easy answers for brave Aime, her perceptive brother Oro, athletic Gramon, intrepid Semia, or sweet little Violer, who all find themselves in the midst of a mystery with far-reaching consequences. Instead, the Pentagon Pirates must work together to discover the truth in a world where uncertainty reigns supreme.
There is so much good to say about this book. Even minor characters and villains have depth, especially the malefic Mrs. Blackfruit and her paramour, Mr. Thornby. However, there are so many characters that it can be difficult at times to keep everyone straight. A bit slow getting started, the book truly finds its stride as the school sporting events begin, and the pace gets more intense as the plot thickens. A quick editorial brush-up to remove a few type errors and naming inconsistencies would make this highly intelligent plot shine even brighter. The complex mystery ends on a serious cliffhanger, leaving the reader dying to know what will happen to the Pentagon Pirates next.
A rich world with a myriad of mysteries at our fingertips, Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secret of the Orchard is suitable for readers 12 and up who love a complex setting. The book contains minor language, and children regularly find themselves in harm’s way. A deep setting with memorable characters, an engaging plotline, and unsolved mysteries that challenge the reader to think outside the box, this intrepid tale of friendship and unraveling dark secrets is an incredible beginning to the adventures of the Pentagon Pirate Gang.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B09M4FPG9L
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