Book Review of Undersea Mystery Club: Problem at the Playground
The Children’s Book Review

Written by Courtney Carbone

Illustrated by Melanie Demmer

Ages 5-8 | 80 Pages

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing | ISBN: 978-1-5248-5524-6

What to expect: Chapter Book, Mermaids, Narwhals, Mystery, Adventure

Violet, a mermaid, is so excited – it’s a big day for her town, Aquamarina! Her mother, the mayor, is about to open a brand-new playground at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. But Violet and her friend Wally the Narwhal soon find out that not everything will always go to plan.

Disaster strikes as the playground—and even the scissors used to cut the seaweed ribbon—fall apart in front of the entire crowd. Upon closer inspection, the mermaids realize that someone has taken all the screws and bolts in the playground, causing all of the fantastic new toys to fall apart. Who could have committed such a crime?

Violet and Wally are on the case, checking out the usual and the not-so-usual suspects around town. The usual town jokester?  Aliens from outer space? When the mystery is solved, the friends rejoice in the newly-reconstructed playground.            

UNDERSEA MYSTERY CLUB: PROBLEM AT THE PLAYGROUND is an exciting but gentle mystery for early chapter-book readers. Nicely paced with cute twists and turns, and not too much adrenaline, this is a great choice for younger elementary children. Violet and Wally have great can-do attitudes, and their sweet mystery club sounds like a lot of fun! The illustrations draw readers in, and the facts about ocean creatures and civil engineering at the back of the book are extra exciting.

Children will definitely be asking to read more from this dynamic duo. UNDERSEA MYSTERY CLUB: PROBLEM AT THE PLAYGROUND is the start of a great series and a wonderful addition to a child’s library!

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About the Author

Courtney Carbone studied English and Creative Writing in the US and Australia before becoming a children’s book writer and editor in New York City. Her favorite things include trivia nights, board games, stand-up comedy, bookstores, brick-oven pizza, and sharks.

About the Illustrator

Melanie Demmer attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where she earned a BFA in illustration. Currently based in Los Angeles, she creates artwork digitally but also enjoys using watercolor, markers, colored pencils, and acrylic paint. Melanie loves to create bright, colorful illustrations with a variety of textures.

Undersea Mystery Club: Problem at the Playground, written by Courtney Carbone, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like Undersea Mystery Club: Problem at the Playground by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Mermaids, Mystery, and Adventure.