Creepy Cowboy Caper

August 1, 2017

Gr 1-2-This new Scooby-Doo series seems designed to fill the gap between books for the very earliest readers and chapter books for slightly older elementary students. A large font size makes the text easier for young eyes to follow. It also includes a glossary, a list of discussion questions, and writing prompts. The formula will be familiar to any fan of the television series: a drive around in The Mystery Machine for Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby; various ghostly encounters; several rollicking chases; and a not-too-surprising solution that wraps it all up neatly in the end. Colorful illustrations are scattered throughout. Written as if simply recounting an episode of the series, the book follows a straightforward narrative and a standard plot. VERDICT A not-too-scary story for readers who like the familiarity of the Scooby gang.-Gina Petrie, Catawba College Library, NC

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2018
These easy-to-read volumes with colorful cartoony pictures are exactly like the TV series: somewhat entertaining for their mystery tropes and investigation methods, but incredibly slight (plus, Scooby's dog-speak can be hard to read). Monster has the gang looking into supernatural shenanigans at a dog show; Creepy brings them to a ghost town. Discussion questions and writing prompts are appended. Glos.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)