Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Dog King (from Geisel Honor Book King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats) returns to narrate another beginning chapter book. King loses his favorite ball during a game of fetch with his human Kayla, leading to a simple but satisfying mystery. Humor abounds in text and art as the animal characters (who talk to one another) attempt communication with their oblivious humans. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The gal-and-dog gumshoes are back, this time catching an unexpected culprit in the act. Kayla, a little black girl, and her dog, narrator King, are playing fetch with Jillian, a white pal, and her dog, Thor. Jillian accidentally throws the ball over the neighbor's fence. When she returns, she brings back an identicalbut incorrectball. King is upset. It smells like another dog. It is not his ball. Luckily, Kayla and King are in tune, and Kayla realizes that King's ball is missing. When they go to the neighbor's yard, there are many other balls, but none that are small and blue. King is reunited with a foe from a previous story (King Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats, 2017), a sneaky cat. The cat tells King that Mouse stole the ball. How could a tiny mouse steal a ball? Employing the use of their trademark list of facts, King and Kayla write down everything they know about the case. (King desperately tries to convey the critical information about Mouse, but alas, he is a dog and can't make Kayla understand.) Confusion, mischief, and silliness abound. Kids who don't always have the vocabulary to express themselves will sympathize with this waggish pup and his earnest desire to be understood by his human. (Early reader. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.