“This gentle whodunit…includes such classic genre elements as missing jewelry, suspicious characters, red herrings and a gratifying ‘aha’ moment before the restoration of order.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Meyer’s drawings, pleasant and simple to parse, help support the story. A satisfying addition to easy-reader collections.” —Booklist Online

“This book contains short chapters, natural language, and numerous digitally colored illustrations that mirror the text, giving newly independent readers a boost when navigating all those pages….readers can test their individual problem-solving skills and crack this mystery before its heroes do.” —Horn Book Magazine

“Highly entertaining, this funny and warm story contains life lessons for young readers about friendship, responsibility, and problem-solving….a terrific transition reader for those just beginning to delve into chapter book level reading.” —School Library Journal

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

“Meyers invests all her characters with lots of personality… Beginning readers will like the spacious typeset and thought bubbles that clue readers in to King’s thinking. This is a great story to help emerging readers strengthen their comprehension skills, and caregivers can easily discuss what young readers already know and what they are discovering along the way to piece together for a final conclusion… Entertaining reading for the newest generation of detectives.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Meyers’s illustrations invite opportunities for the developing reader to investigate alongside King and Kayla, and provide support and intrigue as the case progresses. The text also invites playful read-alouds… This newest addition to the Kayla and King series continues the good work of the sleuthing duo, offering readers an opportunity to test their mystery-solving skills and laugh along the way.” —The Horn Book Magazine

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

“Simple, clean, line-drawn and digitally colored illustrations depict happy, lovable animals and a diverse cast of humans…. This fast-paced mystery is a fun addition to this series for new readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book ―Chicago Public Library, 2019

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

“Each page includes illustrations that are often humorous and highlight the affection between King and Kayla… This funny, endearing addition to the series will delight early readers, especially dog lovers.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Narrator King’s perspective makes an otherwise straightforward story much more engaging, while humorous illustrations reinforce the plot and further forefront King’s doggie thoughts.” —The Horn Book Guide

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (Honor Book) ―ALSC, 2019

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book ―Chicago Public Library, 2018

Maryland Blue Crab Young Readers Award (Honor Book, Transitional Fiction) ―Maryland Library Association, 2019

Washington State Book Awards (Finalist, Books for Young Readers) ―Washington Center for the Book, 2019

[show_more more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”]

Delaware Diamonds Awards (Nominee, K-2) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2019-2020

Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades K-3) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2019-2020

[/show_more]

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

“Confusion, mischief, and silliness abound. Kids who don’t always have the vocabulary to express themselves will sympathize with this waggish pup and his earnest desire to be understood by his human.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Budding detectives will have the benefit of both King’s discoveries and Kayla’s reasoning as they piece together the clues…. A welcome addition to collections supporting the transition from picture books to chapter books, this title will appeal to both dog lovers and mystery buffs.” ―School Library Journal

CCBC Choices (Books for Beginning Readers) ―Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2018

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

“A perfect option for newly independent readers ready to start transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books. Transitional readers are always in demand, and this series is a worthy contribution to any collection serving brand-new readers.” ―School Library Journal

“Repetition both within and between books helps boost confidence in beginning readers, as do the generous, plot-reinforcing illustrations… Each book allows plenty of room for predictions and provides a glimpse into the great payoff reading can deliver…” ―The Horn Book Magazine

“The books deal with simple everyday mysteries that will be familiar to early readers. Language is direct, uses repetition, and includes challenging words in context…. King and Kayla will be a hit with early readers.” ―School Library Connection

Cybils (Easy Readers) ―Cybils, 2017

CCBC Choices (Books for Beginning Readers) ―Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2018

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2018

Delaware Diamonds Awards (Nominee, Grades K-2) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2018-2019

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

“Readers will connect with this charmingly misunderstood pup (along with his exasperated howls, excited tail wagging, and sheepish grins).” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A perfect option for newly independent readers ready to start transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books. Transitional readers are always in demand, and this series is a worthy contribution to any collection serving brand-new readers.” —School Library Journal

“A delightful series start that will have kids returning to read more about Kayla and King. It’s also a great introduction to mysteries, gathering facts, and analytical thinking for an unusually young set.” —Booklist

“The books deal with simple everyday mysteries that will be familiar to early readers. Language is direct, uses repetition, and includes challenging words in context…. King and Kayla will be a hit with early readers.” —School Library Connection

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (Honor Book)—ALSC, 2018

Notable Children’s Books —ALSC, 2018

Washington State Book Awards (Nominee, Books for Young Readers) —Washington Center for the Book. 2018

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Nancy Meyers is a graphic designer and illustrator and the proud owner of Sullivan, golden-doodle extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota. You can visit her website here.

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

“Middle-graders looking for a simple mystery will be pleased, and the story may inspire them to think about the concepts of identity and family that are threaded through the story.” ―Booklist

“Butler has a simplicity of narrative voice that makes the story easy to read while reflecting the often complex emotions of children…” ―School Library Journal

Dori Hillestad Butler is the author of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She has also published stories for children in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Children’s Digest, and Child Life. Butler is the children’s book review columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.