A review by Emma Streeton
A review by Emma StreetonFabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: Peril at Lake Lizard is a quirky little book is sure to delight both children and adults. The ‘crime to solve’ element is a clever and unique spin on an animal tale and is a great way to introduce young readers to the mystery genre.
The story
This easy chapter book follows Fabio, the flamingo detective and his loyal giraffe associate Gilbert. Trying to impress his friend, Gilbert takes Fabio for a flight in his newly acquired plane. Things go wrong when the pair run out of petrol and crash land in the jungle. A lioness mechanic is on hand to assist the pair and takes them back to her township. Here the charming detective and his trusty sidekick stumble over a mystery. Why is a town that is close to a very large dam relying on bottled water? Something is obviously not right and the pair are off to investigate.
The story is both clever and engaging. All of the characters are charming and well developed. Fabio is delightful but for me it is his sidekick Gilbert who is most endearing.
The stylistic elements of this book are eye catching, simple yet effective. The entire book uses only three colors: yellow, neon pink, and shades of grey. The vibrant hues are certain to grab the attention of children. As an adult I was also impressed by the book’s design.
The verdict
Simply put, Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective is a whole lot of fun, well-paced and easy to read. The illustrations are a nice addition, with short chapters and a well sized readable font. It is an achievable read for a 7-9 year old. A cute mystery for early chapter book readers. This is an engaging read for newly independent readers and a fun book for adult and child to read together.
Book details
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
ISBN: 9781408889374
Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Format: Paperback, 128 pages
Released: 31-03-2020
Series: Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective
Category: children, mystery