Mitzi Tulane, Preschool Detective in The Secret Ingredient

LAUREN McLAUGHLIN grew up in the small town of Wenham, Massachusetts. After college and a brief flirtation with anthropology, she spent ten years as a screenwriter and movie producer before turning her attention to writing novels and picture books. She lives in London with her husband and daughter. Visit her on the Web at laurenmclaughlin.com.

DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI is a writer and illustrator based in Toronto. She began her career as a computer programmer and analyst, but has since focused on writing and illustrating books for young people. She is the illustrator of Michael Ian Black's picture books I'm Bored and Naked! Visit her on the Web at debbieohi.com.

PreS-Gr 1—Why would anyone put vegetables in a muffin? Young detectives will enjoy answering this question along with preschool detective Mitzi Tulane. At snack time, Mitzi and her friend Max suspect that Mitzi's father might have included an unusual ingredient in her muffin. Max reveals that his mother sometimes sneaks things like spinach into his food. When Mitzi discovers an unknown morsel in the muffin, she grabs her sidekick, Gigi Gaboo, and their investigation begins. These adorable sleuths make this a fun adventure in which all young listeners can participate. Unable to identify the object in the muffin using a magnifying lens, the detectives consult their two scientific friends in the next apartment. Eventually the morsel is identified by their rabbit, Bun Bun, who promptly eats it. The simple yet expressive illustrations help convey a rollicking good time. VERDICT A great preschool read-aloud for any situation.—Susan Small, Salve Regina University Library, Newport, RI