BOOK REVIEW by Lorraine Marwood
THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING DOG
by Sally Odgers Koala books, rrp $11.95
Anyone would like to get rid of a dog that yodels and yarfs, that knocks
things with its constantly wagging tail and has a definite passion for digging up ranunculi.
So when OB (Old Butterpaws) mysteriously disappears, shouldn't Jilly, her mother and
her younger brother and sister rejoice?
Oh No, not if you're a genius like Jilly. Here is a real opportunity to try
out experiments in logic and mathematics. And here too is the opportunity for
well-known children's author, Sally Odgers to demonstrate innovative text and story
ideas.
"The Case of the Disappearing Dog" is a great read. The book is divided
into small chapters and interspersed with the text are small graphics, or mottoes which
are repeated throughout the length of the text. We see reoccurring images of
Jilly with a pen, Old Butterpaws himself, Jilly's sister Kath worriedly chewing her
plaits and the Science fiction writer, Mr.Chang who is also the family's neighbour.
Jilly's thought processes are diagrammed throughout the book and I like this
new way of pushing the story on. It is in tune with the mystery-type genre of the
book and it allows stepping stones and a re-tracking of the plot. It also allows the
child to predict or to take a guess at what might happen next.
Here is a sample of Jilly's paper reasoning:
The Pattern
1. There is someone, or something hanging around our place.
2. It makes a mess, knocks things over, digs things up, bounces the old
red ball.
3. It cannot be seen.
This step by step unfolding of clues at least gives us a tangible
scaffolding to cling to when Sally Odgers sweeps us off our feet with the real reason for OB's
disappearance.
Of course, being the experienced write that she is, Sally does plant clues
throughout the book, but the resolution really whisks you away, a bit like the Old
Butterpaws situation.
A great book for children to enjoy the challenge of first chapter books.
