Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Newberg Public Library | PUZZLE PINKWATER | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Silver Falls Library | JP PINKWATER | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Woodburn Public Library | E PINKWATER | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
When a shipment of imported Italian muffins goes missing, Irving and Muktuk become the key suspects. Everyone knows their weakness for muffins and immediately think they are responsible!
Irving and Muktuk realize that in order to clear their smirched names, they have to find the culprit themselves. They disguise themselves, sniff out some clues, interview possible witnesses, and try to find the thief. As with all good mysteries, the clues lead to a surprise ending.
Author Notes
Author, illustrator, and radio commentator Daniel M. Pinkwater was born in Memphis Tennessee on November 15, 1941. He is trained as an artist and attended Bard College. In 1969, he wrote and illustrated his first book, The Terrible Roar. Since then he has written over 50 books for children, young adults, and adults. He is also a commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and regularly reviews children's books on Weekend Edition Saturday. While he has illustrated many of his works, his most recent ones have been illustrated by his wife Jill Pinkwater.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Irving and Muktuk are accused of stealing a shipment of blueberry muffins that was stored in a waterfront warehouse. The two polar bears swear tearfully that they are innocent, but, as they set out to prove it, they seem more and more suspect. To look like detectives, they steal hats from the Zoo Director and go in search of clues. As they sniff their way closer to the truth, their memory gets jogged concerning the actual nature of events. Kids will love the cartoon drawings rendered in felt-tip marker and ink. The white bears outlined in black ink, one wearing a red hat, the other a yellow one, contrast delightfully with a midnight-blue sky and colorful city buildings as they stride through the streets. This charming mystery will have kids guessing. This story is great for independent mid-level readers and as a read-aloud.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Irving and Muktuk--"each a bad bear if there ever was one"--embark on their fourth crime spree. Yet this time, it may be a case of mistaken polar bear identity. Yes, there were bear footprints found on the docks where a shipment of expensive Italian designer muffins have disappeared (Irving and Muktuk are known miscreants in the missing-muffin department). But Irving and Muktuk claim innocence--when the police arrive, the bears vow to erase the "smirch" on their names--and set out to bring whoever snatched the mirtilli dell'Italia to justice, or spend a year without their nightly passes from the zoo. After some serious sniffing at the crime scene, they follow the scent--whoops!--right back to their cave at the zoo. Looks like they made off with the loot after all. Hey, memory-wise, polar bears aren't elephants, so give the boys a break. The Pinkwaters have their mother wit at full tilt, never talking down to their audience (mirtilli dell'Italia, for goodness sake), and are joyously troublemaking, dryly humorous to the point of combustion and playing out just enough rope for Irving and Mukluk to hang themselves. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. This new book about muffin-loving Irving and Muktuk turns the hard-boiled detective tradition on its ear with mischief that will make preschoolers laugh as much as the adults who read to them. When a large shipment of Italian designer muffins disappears from a waterfront warehouse, the two polar bears are the chief suspects. Facing the slammer, they cry and declare their innocence (Our names are smirched ), then sneak out of the zoo to find the real thieves. But why do the clues lead back to the zoo? The pictures of the big, white bears outlined in ink and performing against brightly colored backgrounds add to the fun as they act tough to the bossy authorities, sniff out (literally) the bad guys, and surprise everyone, including themselves. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2006 Booklist