Evil Under the Sea: A Miss Mallard Mystery - Hardcover

Grade 2-3-- Noted undersea explorer Jacques Canard asks renowned ducktective Miss Mallard to help him find out who is destroying the coral of the Great Barrier Reef. As young readers dive into the fast-paced story, they will learn fascinating facts about this part of the world and the influence coral has on the ocean's ecological balance. Miss Mallard carefully gathers her clues, diligently observes and listens, and foils a dastardly plot to take over the world. The initial attraction here is the colorful splash and gusto of the lush watercolor cartoons, and once readers delve into the manageable text, their interest will be piqued by the clues Miss Mallard accumulates. The plot development engages readers, with just enough danger and evil to keep the pages turning. The characters are true to the end--for good and ill--and the ducktective's ultimate triumph provides a satisfying ending. A bit of subtle wordplay adds some lightness to the mystery. Young readers may not equate these names with the tongue-in-cheek humor intended, but the tempo and pace of the story will keep them entertained. --Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.