Sherlock Ferret and the Missing Necklace Paperback – Large Print, October 11, 2013

Purchasing Christmas or birthday presents for children becomes easier with books like this cleverly conceived picture book. A whodunnit in the traditional form, along the lines of the famous Baker Street detective and his erstwhile doctor friend, the story sets out to pose a quandary about a theft. Various avian red herrings move in and out of the narrative, leaving a smile, a giggle, and admiration for the author, who can create fictitious creatures and make them so loveable with a few sentences. Children cannot fail to love Sherlock Ferret, and the tiny mouse Watson, who tells the story. The wonderful - almost animated - illustrations help to spur the imagination, but the words conjur such cute, memorable personalities!There are no explicit moral messages - children detect overt attempts to teach them, and they can defeat the purpose of reading for enjoyment. Parents will note, however, an underlying positive atmosphere, an implicit integrity and style, which fills these little characters with anthropomorphic‎ parallels of optimism, hard work, respect for others, and perseverance.I rarely read the children's gifts I buy, but this one proved engaging from the first few lines, so I read to the end, which is surprising. Now I can't wait for more.

This book relates to the most famous detective story series - Sherlock Holmes, but it doesn't require any knowledge of Holmes to enjoy it. The writer by his love for children and passion for detective novel, made the story wonderful itself.The main part- all the "knots" of the story are showed and untied cleverly. Besides, there are many humourous and lovely small details are mixed, make the story more attractive for children. By mixing the habits of the real Sherlock Holmes : playing violin, collecting books and weird things...with other new images: love drinking soymilk or chewing a matchstick, the writer created Sherlock Ferret as a new version of Sherlock Holmes that is brighter, more adorable and suitable for children mind.As a reader, I highly recommend this book as a present for children and Im looking forward for the new adventure of this lovely ferret detective myself.

What a fantastic way to teach morals, ethics, vocabulary, reasoning, and observation to children. Written to be read aloud to your little ones. Written to curl up with if you're older. Sherlock Ferret is phenomenal.

This book is suitable to be read to youngsters. I would suggest that it's on about a third grade reading level. The book is funny, clever, and cute.

Sherlock Ferret. Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade (the very small rhinoceros) save the day in this fine addition to the Sherlock tradition.

My granddaughter loved the story.

I believe a mark of genius is to be the first to do something that causes one to ask, " Why was this not done before?" I received an ARC of Sherlock Ferret and did a quick search on other books that portrayed Holmes as an animal. I found little. Perhaps it was the Doyle estate that precluded such a treatment or the need of the two amazing talents of Hugh Ashton and Andy Boerger to come upon the notion but Sherlock Ferret has arrived. The beauty of this book is its ability to expand the cannon without losing the core of the characters while Andy Boerger's illustrations retain an almost Victorian feel without being stilted and retro. Though this is a wonderful way to introduce Holmes to a young audience, it is so beautifully rendered that its appeal will cross generations. The way Lestrade is envisioned is a wonder I shall leave it for you to discover. This work should be slipped into every bookcase, but leave room for Sherlock Ferret and the Multiplying Masterpieces.

Being a Sherlock Holmes fan, and a children's author myself, I jumped at the chance to read this. I have read, I should say absorbed, Hugh Ashton's Sherlock Holmes series and was anxious to see how he was going to handle writing for children. I was not disappointed. The story is engaging and interesting, the characters are charming and relatable, and I can honestly say that this is the perfect way to introduce young readers to one of the most iconic characters in literary history, Sherlock Holmes. The illustrations are beautifully done and accentuate the story, without overpowering it. All-in-all, a superb story that will capture the imaginations of many a young reader. Well done.

Exciting story eloquently written and illustrated so well. My Daughter loves the book and can't wait for the next one!