Title:
The Klampie Mystery
By:
Luis Rodriguez
Published
by: Mascot Books; Date: 2012
ISBN-13:
978-1-62086-031-1
Price:
$14.95
Ages:
3-8
Rating:
5 stars
Reviewed
by Wayne S. Walker
Synopsis:
Do you know what kind of mammal a koala is?
Is it a bear? Well, Samantha
Parker, who lives with her parents in San Diego, CA, is going to find out. The Parkers are planning to spend Christmas
in Australia, visiting some relatives in a little town near Sydney. Before they go, Samantha’s dad buys her a
life-sized, plush koala so she can start feeling some of the excitement of
Australia. She names it Klampie because
its arms can clamp onto almost anything, just like a real koala, and she clamps
it onto her backpack. The Parkers enjoy
their trip and seeing Uncle Tim and Aunt Sophie. However, on the plane ride home, something
amazing happens. The koala in Samantha’s
backpack turns out to be a real—well, a real mystery! What happens to Klampie? And will Samantha ever see her stuffed toy
again?
Overall
thoughts: All children love teddy bears.
The Klampie Mystery is a fun
story that includes a lot of interesting facts about koalas and about
Australia. Did you know that when it’s
winter in America, it’s summer in Australia?
Samantha even gets to spend Christmas at a “barbie” on the beach! What’s that?
And how do you think you would like it?
Author Luis Rodriguez also adds a little touch of mystery. The reader will be in on what’s happening,
but it’s something that Samantha and her family will be wondering about later
on. There is a page of information about
the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus),
and the endsheets show the route of a plane trip from San Diego to Sydney and
back again. Kids will have a great time
learning with Samantha about the differences in weather, time, and customs
between the United States and the land “down under,” as well as looking at
Rodriguez’s wonderful, full-color illustrations.
Sounds like it will be a fun book to read.
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