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    The Children's Book Review

    The Fish Stick Detective, by John Kilby | Dedicated Review

    Dr. Jen HarrisonBy Dr. Jen Harrison3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Author Showcase Mysteries
    The Fish Stick Detective | Dedicated Review
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    Book Review of The Fish Stick Detective
    Sponsored* | All opinions are our own
    The Children’s Book Review

    The Fish Stick Detective: Book Cover

    The Fish Stick Detective

    Written by John Kilby

    Illustrated by Mark Penrod

    Ages 8+ | 18 Pages

    Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers | ISBN-13: 9781649799906

    What to Expect: Science, questions, mystery, ornithology.

    Quirky and fun, The Fish Stick Detective uses humor and the glamor of noir detective fiction to deliver interesting scientific facts to readers.

    Dame Jane Great-Dane has an emergency: the Neil Diamond has been stolen! Only three dinner guests were present when the magnificent jewel disappeared: Sir Humboldt Penn-Gwynn, Sir Struthio Camelus, and Lady Javan Magpie. All three are involved in the diamond trade, but none have a motive for stealing the gem. Nevertheless, while Dame Jane’s back was turned, the salad and the gemstone both disappeared at once. This is clearly a case for the Fish Stick Detective! With his sharp eye for clues and the help of an ornithologist expert, Hake Pollock is sure to come up with the solution to this mystery—and, more importantly, the diamond.

    While working through the clues with the fedora-wearing detective, readers will learn about the habits, habitats, and behaviors of three bird species (the suspects). The detective mystery format encourages readers to adopt a questioning, investigative approach to facts and science. At the same time, the subtle humor also invites them to look for multiple meanings in the text, encouraging strong literacy skills. Comic-style digital illustrations further invite readers to hunt for clues and hidden meanings.

    The Fish Stick Detective is a fun and educational way for young readers to develop their deductive skills in nature and science.

    Buy the Book

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    About the Author

    Before writing “The Fish Stick Detective”, John Kilby had been a serial entrepreneur – the founder of a San Diego office supply company, an online water instrument retailer, and a brewery. Originally from Maine, Kilby now lives with his wife in Vista, California and plans to spend future summers in Camden Maine at his lakeside cabin.

    For more information, visit https://www.thefishstickdetective.com/.

    John Kilby
    About the Illustrator

    Mark Penrod loves Indiana, art, and nature. When he’s not busy with work, or working on his new Indiana home, Mark spends as much time as he can outdoors – walking or foraging for mushrooms. In addition to illustration, Mark is an accomplished photographer. His latest venture, “The Worst Cars That Were Ever Made” coloring book, is available on Amazon. 

    Mark Penrod: Illustrator Headshot

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of The Fish Stick Detective. Learn more about getting a book review …

    What to Read Next:

    1. Simone LaFray and the Red Wolves of London | Dedicated Review
    2. Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball | Dedicated Review
    3. The Weirn Books: Be Wary of the Silent Woods | Dedicated Review
    4. The Gravity Thief, by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Austin Macauley Publishers Dedicated Review John Kilby Mark Penrod Mystery Ornithology Science
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    Dr. Jen Harrison
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    Dr. Jen Harrison provides writing and research services as the CEO of Read.Write.Perfect. She completed her Ph.D. in Children’s and Victorian Literature at Aberystwyth University in Wales, in the UK. After a brief spell in administration, Jen then trained as a secondary school English teacher and worked for several years teaching Secondary School English, working independently as a private tutor of English, and working in nursery and primary schools. She has been an editor for the peer-reviewed journal of children’s literature, Jeunesse, and has published academic work on children’s non-fiction, YA speculative fiction, and the posthuman.

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