An engaging, character-driven mystery begins with an aging toad detective investigating the theft of nuts from a very upset squirrel. Detective Gordon can’t move as quickly or as easily as he once did. Then he meets a nameless mouse who is young and spry and eager, who quickly becomes his able assistant. First order of business: give her a name. He suggests one he’s always loved: Buffy. The interactions between Buffy—so bright and optimistic and open-hearted—and Detective Gordon—slightly world-weary but wise and buoyed by her presence—are warm and wonderful in a story full of understated humor punctuated by brighter, laugh-out-loud moments (often involving the squirrel). The duo inspect the scenes of the crime, gather clues, conjecture based on what they’ve observed (clearly the suspect can climb trees, for example), then lay a trap, and eventually capture the thieves. Beautiful design, including charming spot and full-page color illustrations, embellish a winning, winsome short chapter book. (Ages 5–8)

An award-winning illustrated detective story set in a friendly forest and first in the acclaimed series for beginning readers.

Detective Gordon - a mystery-solving toad who loves cake - has his very first case. Someone's stealing nuts from the forest, and it's up to Detective Gordon to catch the thief! Unfortunately, solving this crime means standing in the snow and waiting for a long time... If only he had an assistant - someone small, fast, and clever - to help solve this terrible case. Then Detective Gordon would be able to go back to doing what he's best at: thinking, eating cakes, drinking tea, and stamping important papers.

A perfect first chapter book for children aged five and up by one of Sweden's top children's writers. This much-loved junior fiction series is illustrated in full color throughout and packed full of character and humor. Winner of multiple awards and accolades, Detective Gordon is a fun whodunnit mystery series to read alone or aloud.

Ulf Nilsson is a celebrated children's writer in Sweden. He has written more than 20 books for all ages, including All the Dear Little Animals. He is a winner of the August Award and the American Batchelder Award.

Gitte Spee is a renowned artist from the academy of fine art and design in the Netherlands. She now works in Amsterdam as a children's book illustrator.

Translated from the Swedish edition by Julia Marshall.

Read all the Detective Gordon series:
Detective Gordon: A Complicated Case
Detective Gordon: A Case in Any Case
Detective Gordon: A Case for Buffy

Praise for Detective Gordon: The First Case

"KLA-DUNK! Another winner." Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A must-have for chapter book collections." School Library Journal, starred review

"Full of warm humour and wisdom...with a feather-light touch." Best Books of 2015, Horn Book

"A wonderful choice for independent reading." Booklist, starred review