Description

Fox is missing a sock, Hare is missing a mitten, and Badger is missing a boot. Luckily, friendly Bear is there to solve the mystery. A silly and suspenseful picture book from Yvonne Ivinson, creator of Fox and the Box, that is full of rhythm, repetition, wordplay, homophones, and a surprise ending. An ideal choice for story times and emergent readers.

Two socks are a pair of socks. Two mittens are a pair of mittens. Two boots are a pair of boots. Fox, Hare, and Badger are each missing one of their pair. Luckily, Bear knows where they are. Or does he?

The Missing Pairs features delightful art and a hilarious text to match. Observant readers will spot the thief and cheer for the friends as they try to figure out the mystery of their missing pairs. A terrific choice for family and story time sharing as well as emergent readers, this winning pick is for readers of What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig and Not a Box.

Publisher Review

"In a community of animal friends, personal items are going missing. . . . Realistic acrylic paintings in deep hues with textured brushstrokes to elicit the furry/fluffy coats and whiskers of the animals provide clues throughout. . . . The easily read text, conveyed mostly in dialogue and playfully incorporating the occasional rhyme, brings the mystery to a close . . . An intriguing whodunit couched in a simple story of friendship and indulgence." - Kirkus Reviews "Hand-drawn 'Lost' signs are going up all over a forest at this picture book's start, and it seems that every animal is missing something. . . . The urgency of the animals' quest is almost palpable, and the art's autumnal cast is winning: the leaves float slowly off the trees, the cast wears bright woolly scarves, and from the looks of the icy blue sky and waving grasses, the forecast is windy with a nip in the air. It practically demands a reading with a side of hot chocolate." - Publishers Weekly "Falling leaves and chilly weather means it's time to start bundling up. But unfortunately for Fox, one sock is missing. . . . Ivinson's colorful, richly textured acrylic illustrations of the animated animals are bursting with charm, and the varied perspectives and droll details-from their festive accessories to the many handmade 'Lost' flyers tacked onto trees-add lots of visual interest and engagement. The accessible text interspersing rhyme and playful formatting makes for a lively read-aloud and, together with the artwork, offers a cheery picture-book mystery that will delight many kids." - Booklist