A charming new series introduces King, a large dog, and Kayla, the brown- skinned girl who is, he explains, “my human.” King narrates these appealing mystery stories. In the Case of the Mysterious Mouse, the question is what happened to King’s ball after Kayla’s friend Jillian accidentally threw it over the fence. It’s nowhere to be found. In the Case of the Secret Code, Kayla and her friend Mason wonder who has left them each a message in code. Kayla approaches each case by making lists of what they know, and what they need to find out. But King knows things he can’t communicate to Kayla, like the fact that the cat with no name says a mouse took his ball (which seems impossible to King), and that the mysterious letters smell like Jillian (who is, indeed, behind them, and explains how to crack their simple code). King is a hilarious narrator, in part because he is telling Kayla (and readers) what he knows, but of course all she’s hears is barking, and in part because he’s just funny (“But then I see Jillian! She is only eleventy ten houses away!”) Pencil and digitally colored illustrations accompany the narrative in each book. We look forward to more King and Kayla! (Ages 4-7)

Introducing King & Kayla!

This fun, laugh-out-loud early chapter book series follows lovable dog King and his human girl Kayla as they solve mysteries. From the Geisel Honor Award-winning team of Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers.

“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

King and Kayla find a mysterious letter written in code with Kayla’s name on it. Kayla’s friend, Mason, received an almost identical letter. Can the two friends put their detective skills together to crack the code? King learns a big clue, but can he lead his human friends to it and help them break the secret code?

With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series from Geisel Honor Award-winning team Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers is perfect for newly independent readers. Great for introducing mysteries and the important concepts of fact gathering, list making, clues, and analytical thinking.

Series Activity Kit available!

Awards:
CCBC Choices (Books for Beginning Readers) / Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Best Children’s Books of the Year / Bank Street College of Education