Wallace and Grace and the Lost Puppy - Heather Alexander;Laura Zarrin

Read & Bloom offers high interest, character driven stories for newly independent readers that feature full-color illustrations throughout and will transition kids from leveled readers to a lifetime of reading.

In this charming series, kids are treated to simple whodunit mysteries as an utterly delightful owl duo put their heads together. When Wallace and Grace are on a scavenger hunt, they stumble upon a puppy named Jasper who can't find his way home. Will the owl detectives be able to follow clues to get the lost puppy home?

Heather Alexander is the author of two early-chapter book series--Wallace & Grace and The Amazing Stardust Friends--and the middle-grade novel, Picture Perfect #1: Bending Over Backwards. The former editorial director of Parachute Press, Heather has edited over 100 children's fiction series, including the best-selling Goosebumps and the early-chapter mystery series, The New Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley. Heather lives in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, with her husband and two daughters. www.heatheralexanderbooks.com

Laura Zarrin spent her childhood in the St. Louis area exploring creeks, woods, and attic closets, with plenty of tree climbing and digging for artifacts in the backyard all in preparation for her future career as an archeologist. She never became one because she realized she's much happier drawing. Laura lives in Silicon Valley in California with her very logical husband and teen sons, and their illogical dog, Cody.
www.laurazarrinstudios.com
@Laura Zarrin

“Read & Bloom will be wildly popular. And I am very happy to see some new friendship books come along with the end of the Elephant and Piggie books.” —Teri Lesesne, Professor of Library Science at Sam Houston State University

“Funny and appealing, the Read & Bloom books will charm readers.” —Linda M. Pavonetti, Ed.D., professor of Reading and Language Arts at Oakland University

“This adorable series is a perfect first chapter book for readers who are just leaving the early reader phase. . . . A perfectly paced mystery, this title will build both kids' confidence and their interest in a good story.” —School Library Journal

“Zarrin's cozy color artwork and Alexander's chirpy narrative energize a story that highlights the rewards of mutual respect, collaboration, and friendship.” —Publishers Weekly on WALLACE AND GRACE TAKE THE CASE

“The language is accessible, and full-color cartoonish illustrations . . . Throughout the book are a change from many black-and-white chapter books . . . Wallace and Grace are a good team for the younger set.” —Kirkus Reviews on WALLACE AND GRACE TAKE THE CASE

“This gentle mystery supports newly independent readers, with short sentences, repetition, in-text definitions, and color illustrations. Bubbly Grace and keen-eyed Wallace make an ace detective team who ably demonstrate the value of teamwork and friendship.” —Booklist on WALLACE AND GRACE TAKE THE CASE