I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
The Great Paper Caper
by
Oliver Jeffers
picture book in a hardcover edition that was published by Philomel Books on September 1, 2008 and has 40 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include A Child of Books
A standalone picture book mystery involving a crime in the forest.
My Take
Okay, yeah, it’s a mystery all right, and perfectly set up for young children. It will require a parent to help interpret the minimal text, though.
The graphics are really simple in warm tones and pastels and quite sweet. Do check out the sign the koala is holding…
The pruned trees are something common in people’s yards. Also common is the blame game played by all the animals! Both can make the story more familiar for kids. And a great opportunity for parents to talk about it being wrong to blame people without proof.
The investigation itself, using objective third person point-of-view, is pretty funny with the “do not cross” tape, that naughty pig, and no leaf left uninvestigated. The whole process follows the legalities, which can reinforce this for the kids.
It’s at the end that we learn of Bear’s ambitions, and the compassion shown is so sweet. That end will make you smile, as will the practical “punishment” with Bear replacing what he destroyed.
The end papers (in the front and back of the book) include instructions on building paper airplanes.
The Story
Trees are disappearing throughout the forest. Homes destroyed. Parking gone. The forest creatures must discover why and who.
The Characters
Bear, deer, goose, beaver, pig, owl, koala bear, and boy.
And the policeman.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a soft blue sky in the top two-thirds with a snowy landscape of white in the bottom third. In the distance are bare-branched trees in a variety of greens. In the foreground are three tree stumps with a red-hatted bear leaning on an ax with skinny pins for legs. At the top is an info blurb in black. The title is below this in white while the author’s name is in red at the bottom.
The title refers to Bear and The Great Paper Caper.
