Mysteries are one of the favorite book genres of gifted kids, and it's never too early for them to enjoy this genre. Eth Clifford's Flatfoot Fox series is perfect for young children. These books are meant for beginning readers, with a recommended age level of 6 or 7 and up, but if your child is an early reader, she might enjoy these books before that. My son was reading these books when he was around 4 or 5 and just loved them. They are humorous cases involving the great detective "Flatfoot Fox" and his helpful sidekick, "Secretary Bird." The pair is very much like the animal world's version of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, although Holmes and Watson were never so funny! While your child will know how the cases are solved after reading the books just once, she will want to read the books over and over just for the humor.
These books are sometimes hard to find, but it is still possible to get copies. And if nothing else, they are most likely available at your local library.
"I am the smartest detective in the whole world," said Flatfoot Fox.
"I know," said Secretary Bird. "It says so on the door. It says, Flatfoot Fox, the Smartest Detective in the Whole World... Is that true?"
"Of course it's true. I put those words on the door myself."
That opening to the book should give you an idea of these two characters. In this story, a big one-eyed cat comes in and asks for help finding his beautiful blue glass eye. It had popped out when the cat sang too loud at his birthday party and someone "stole" it. It's up to Flatfoot Fox and Secretary Bird to question the guests, listen for clues, and figure out which guest is the thief. Children will enjoy trying to figure out who is guilty by paying attention to the details of each guest's testimony. They'll also enjoy the silliness and humor in the book.Buy from Amazon »
In this book, the mother of Nosy Otter comes to Flatfoot Fox, desperate for help. She says that Nosy has been kidnapped. As in all the books in this series, Flatfoot and his sidekick, Secretary Bird, must gather clues by talking with suspects, all of whom are quite quirky, and by following leads. The conversations with the suspects are often very amusing and witty. Kids will love the the humor and will enjoy trying to solve the case along with Flatfoot.Buy from Amazon »
Here is another clever and amusing Flatfoot Fox book. In this one, Principal Porcupine makes fun of Wacky Weasel for claiming to be a magician. In response, Wacky Weasel says he's going to make the schoolhouse disappear. And he does! Flatfoot Fox and his goofy pal Secretary Bird are called in to solve the case and they are led to a big hole in the ground. As always, Flatfoot has to interrogate a number of suspects and witnesses and is eventually able to discover what happened to the schoolhouse. I won't give the solution away, but I will say that the answer to the question "What happened to the schoolhouse?" is "nothing."Buy from Amazon »
These books are sometimes hard to find, but it is still possible to get copies. And if nothing else, they are most likely available at your local library.
1. Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Missing Eye
"I am the smartest detective in the whole world," said Flatfoot Fox.
"I know," said Secretary Bird. "It says so on the door. It says, Flatfoot Fox, the Smartest Detective in the Whole World... Is that true?"
"Of course it's true. I put those words on the door myself."
That opening to the book should give you an idea of these two characters. In this story, a big one-eyed cat comes in and asks for help finding his beautiful blue glass eye. It had popped out when the cat sang too loud at his birthday party and someone "stole" it. It's up to Flatfoot Fox and Secretary Bird to question the guests, listen for clues, and figure out which guest is the thief. Children will enjoy trying to figure out who is guilty by paying attention to the details of each guest's testimony. They'll also enjoy the silliness and humor in the book.Buy from Amazon »
2. Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Nosy Otter
In this book, the mother of Nosy Otter comes to Flatfoot Fox, desperate for help. She says that Nosy has been kidnapped. As in all the books in this series, Flatfoot and his sidekick, Secretary Bird, must gather clues by talking with suspects, all of whom are quite quirky, and by following leads. The conversations with the suspects are often very amusing and witty. Kids will love the the humor and will enjoy trying to solve the case along with Flatfoot.Buy from Amazon »
3. Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Missing Schoolhouse
Here is another clever and amusing Flatfoot Fox book. In this one, Principal Porcupine makes fun of Wacky Weasel for claiming to be a magician. In response, Wacky Weasel says he's going to make the schoolhouse disappear. And he does! Flatfoot Fox and his goofy pal Secretary Bird are called in to solve the case and they are led to a big hole in the ground. As always, Flatfoot has to interrogate a number of suspects and witnesses and is eventually able to discover what happened to the schoolhouse. I won't give the solution away, but I will say that the answer to the question "What happened to the schoolhouse?" is "nothing."Buy from Amazon »
