Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Following their introduction in Poppy Sam and the Leaf Thief (2018), miniature girl Poppy and her diminutive panda friend, Sam, are back, with another mystery to solve.It's a lovely day for a stroll among the flowers, and Poppy and Sam decide to pay a visit to Snuggles the mole. Snuggles' home is full of freshly baked pies, which attract Sam's focus, but Snuggles' glasses have gone missing, so the nearsighted animal can't read. Sam gets right to work investigating the pies for the glasses while Poppy asks Snuggles what else the mole has done today so they can retrace steps and hopefully find the missing specs. Their efforts take the trio to the riverside, a spider web, a mushroom, and up a tree. In each place, they find lost items belonging to other creatures, and they begin quite a collection. After much walking and interviewing, they finally find what they are seeking and manage to return all the items they founda tiring but satisfying adventure that ends in bed. Cathon's sweet illustrations feature spring colors and nature scenes; various small, smiling creatures that fly or crawl and have bit parts are a fun addition to the main story. Comics panels are interspersed with full-page illustrations. Poppy, who presents as a girl of color, is a thoughtful, creative, caring leader. With its admirable protagonist, this is delightful easy reading with equal parts humor and heart. (Graphic novel. 4-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.