A wonderful choice for independent reading
Detective Gordon: The First Case
An award-winning illustrated detective story set in a friendly forest and first in the acclaimed series for beginning readers.
Detective Gordon – a mystery-solving toad who loves cake – has his very first case. Someone’s stealing nuts from the forest, and it’s up to Detective Gordon to catch the thief! Unfortunately, solving this crime means standing in the snow and waiting for a long time… If only he had an assistant – someone small, fast, and clever – to help solve this terrible case. Then Detective Gordon would be able to go back to doing what he’s best at: thinking, eating cakes, drinking tea, and stamping important papers.
A perfect first chapter book for children aged five and up by one of Sweden’s top children’s writers. This much-loved junior fiction series is illustrated in full colour throughout and packed full of character and humour. Winner of multiple awards and accolades, Detective Gordon is a fun whodunnit mystery series to read alone or aloud.
Ulf Nilsson is a celebrated children’s writer in Sweden. He has written more than 20 books for all ages, including All the Dear Little Animals. He is a winner of the August Award and the American Batchelder Award.
Gitte Spee is a renowned artist from the academy of fine art and design in the Netherlands. She now works in Amsterdam as a children’s book illustrator.
Translated from the Swedish edition by Julia Marshall.
Available as an ebook wherever you buy your ebooks
-
Book Details
Country of Origin Sweden Reader Age 5-7 year, 6-8 year, 8-12 year Book Size ISBN
-
Reviews
Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.
Subscribe to our newsletter/s
Hear from us about new books, guest recommendations, behind-the-scenes and competitions.
Jane Martellino –
As I read this sweet story, I noticed how many times I smiled at various lines of text. Just love the interactions between the chief and his new policewoman! It will make a great read aloud K-3 and independent read for grade 3 and up!
Best Books of 2015, Horn Book (US), December 2015 –
Detective Gordon (a toad) is the chief of police in the forest; young, excitable Buffy (a mouse) is his brand-new sidekick. Using their complementary skills, the two track down some nut thieves and mete out an eminently just punishment. This odd couple’s first mission is full of warm humor and wisdom – both handled with a feather-light touch.
Booksellers NZ, June 2015 –
I thought this book was wondrous to read, a tricky mystery that was nice, entertaining, adventurous and mysterious all at the same time. (Hannah, age 8)
Magpies (Aust), May 2015 –
A gentle story full of little gems of wisdom and a scrupulous attention to what is right. Detective Gordon is a philosopher and a humanist. . Charming on all levels.
Book Trailers 4 Kids (NZ), May 2015 –
What an utterly charming book! … This is a great chapter book for newly independent readers aged 7 – 9. I think it would be equally as wonderful as a read-aloud by parents or teachers.
Reading Time (NZ), May 2015 –
A thoughtful and poignant evocation of the tension between crime and its causes and consequences … Amusing and ironic … Highly recommended.
Starred review, Booklist (US), May 2015 –
Endearing characters and a childlike sensibility through writing that is clean, precise, and amusing. A wonderful choice for independent reading, particularly for kids who become accomplished readers early.
The Source (NZ), March 2015 –
Beautifully written with gentle humour and compassion. The colour illustrations by Gitte Spee capture the mood of the tale perfectly; her squirrels are full of exuberance, Gordon is world-weary and Buffy is refreshingly enthusiastic. The result is an ideal introduction for young readers to the world of novels.
Bookrapt (NZ), February 2015 –
A wise, amusing tale with a gentle moral.
School Library Journal (US), February 2015 –
The full-color illustrations add whimsy to the tale and perfectly complement this gentle read … Hand this one to precocious readers who have graduated from early chapter books but aren’t ready for too much strife in their novels.
Reading Today (US), January 2015 –
The book’s message, its characters, and the simple but colorful illustrations … heighten its appeal and will prompt readers to anticipate more cases for this crime-solving team.