Title: The Snack-Time Mystery
Author: Tina Boggs
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 78-1-6641-6956-2
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 24
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
The Snack-Time Mystery, by author Tina Boggs, is a well thought-out and wonderfully illustrated book, which both teaches new awareness techniques as it entertains youngsters.
The story is about a young boy, Gil, who arrives a bit late to school; after the class had their snack. Determined to use his investigative skills to figure out what was served for the snack, he goes about to ask fellow classmates each a question about the snack. He asked José about the taste, “cheesy,” he replied. Ms. Anna was asked about the smell, “yummy crackers,” she replied. Julien about how the snack looked, “I saw fish’” he said. And so on with the others, each of whom told Gil one of the 5 senses. Gil then used his deductive reasoning to figure out what snack has all of these qualities, and BINGO, the case was solved.
This book is a clever way to teach children how they can put together information, in this case with each of our 5 senses, and by using logic and imagination, can solve a mystery. This empowers children with a new set of “tools” to use in their daily lives as an important method of seeking the truth. The illustrations by artist Robert Ewing are perfectly paired with the text; together forming an indelible story-line within the minds of the readers.
The Snack-Time Mystery is an ideal book to be read at home, or to a group of children in pre-school, as well as in Kindergarten. It can be combined with a playful spirited game where some children might be blindfolded to prevent sight, or put on thick gloves to prevent touch, and so on; for teachers to have the children become engaged to figure out an object or food.
Although within The Snack-Time Mystery, the task of figuring out the snack is a rather simple one, perhaps author Tina Boggs can create more ambitious stories to be brought to Gil’s attention in future episodes – we shall see what new mysteries may await this young sleuth.
