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iamthelizardqueen's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Very cute
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Wow, this was even cuter than I thought it would be. I thought it would be a picture book, but it is more like a very short chapter book. I do want to read the other Kayla & King books now. Yes, there are apparently more of them!
I was also a bit worried, the POV of the book is the dog. We see what he thinks, what he says. Why was I worried? Because I was thinking this would be a book that would either have an annoying MC, or that it adds a magical element with that the owner can understand her dog. Sorry, I am sure that the last part could be good, but I have read many books were it was just badly done.
Luckily, Kayla doesn’t understand King. Instead she just guesses what he wants based on how he reacts, or the situation at present.
King is a sweet dog, and I loved how he tried to help his owner out, even if it meant he got falsely accused for a bit.
I was thinking it might have been the puppy at first, but then certain events happen…
The actual whodunnit? It was quite fun, and I didn’t expect it to be that. So good job!
The illustrations were pretty decent, I quite liked the style.
All in all, this is a book I would recommend. It is short, but really fun.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Wow, this was even cuter than I thought it would be. I thought it would be a picture book, but it is more like a very short chapter book. I do want to read the other Kayla & King books now. Yes, there are apparently more of them!
I was also a bit worried, the POV of the book is the dog. We see what he thinks, what he says. Why was I worried? Because I was thinking this would be a book that would either have an annoying MC, or that it adds a magical element with that the owner can understand her dog. Sorry, I am sure that the last part could be good, but I have read many books were it was just badly done.
Luckily, Kayla doesn’t understand King. Instead she just guesses what he wants based on how he reacts, or the situation at present.
King is a sweet dog, and I loved how he tried to help his owner out, even if it meant he got falsely accused for a bit.
I was thinking it might have been the puppy at first, but then certain events happen…
The actual whodunnit? It was quite fun, and I didn’t expect it to be that. So good job!
The illustrations were pretty decent, I quite liked the style.
All in all, this is a book I would recommend. It is short, but really fun.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
zoes_human's review
4.0
This adorable mystery isn't just good for developing reading skills but also for developing problem solving skills such as list-making and thinking through possibilities. It is both cute and adorable.
Suitable for ages 7 - 9.
Suitable for ages 7 - 9.
snazel's review against another edition
5.0
This is an ADORABLE mystery (from the point of view of the dog!) and a great early chapter book.
Who’s a good detective? You are! You are!
Who’s a good detective? You are! You are!
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
I am very excited for this new series by Dori Hillestad Butler. Featuring the same character from her Buddy Files series, but it takes place before that series, back when he was King the Dog.
Featuring a predicable plot line and structure, this series is perfect for readers who are ready for a longer story line across chapters, yet still need some supports.
Featuring a predicable plot line and structure, this series is perfect for readers who are ready for a longer story line across chapters, yet still need some supports.
caseykoester39's review against another edition
5.0
Told from the POV of the dog, but not with dumbed down writing. Phrases are repeated over and over to give early readers success with repetitive language. This book is less than 50 pages and only has a 2-3 sentences on each page.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
What a cool concept. King is a detective. He is also a dog. He can not speak. But he likes to solve mysteries. Kayla is his master. She also is a detective, and likes to solve mysteries. She can not speak to King, other then to tell him good or bad dog. So, how do they do it?
Very clever, well done story of a girl and her dog solving a mystery. I think early readers will love the pictures and the story. It is fun, it is silly, it is well done.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Very clever, well done story of a girl and her dog solving a mystery. I think early readers will love the pictures and the story. It is fun, it is silly, it is well done.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
speterson47's review against another edition
5.0
Great book for introducing the mystery genre. Wonderful for dog lovers. Seems like a great series. Super cute and thoughtful.
teacher2library's review against another edition
5.0
King and Kayla are my favorite sleuths in kidlit! From missing treats to mysterious intruders, there's no puzzle they can't solve together.
This is such a sweetly humorous, well-crafted series for a child's first chapter book! This series has everything I look for to support newly independent readers - high contrast between the text and page, good spacing between the lines, lots of high frequency sight words, and above all else, a compelling story. I love the everyday diversity. The repetitious formula somehow never gets old, either. Each book made me chuckle!
This is such a sweetly humorous, well-crafted series for a child's first chapter book! This series has everything I look for to support newly independent readers - high contrast between the text and page, good spacing between the lines, lots of high frequency sight words, and above all else, a compelling story. I love the everyday diversity. The repetitious formula somehow never gets old, either. Each book made me chuckle!
gsanta1's review against another edition
4.0
I read it with my 5 and 3/4s year old and he loved it and asked for more.
I think it has that difficult balance of being simple enough for Kindergarten, but a strong enough mystery to keep their interest.
I think it has that difficult balance of being simple enough for Kindergarten, but a strong enough mystery to keep their interest.