Today I’d like to introduce you to a world-renown detective of the brightest class. He knows how to catch the most sneaky of villains and never ever lets a clue lay below his nose without notice. I am talking about the famous, top-of-the-tree detective, Whobert Whover, Owl Detective and his debut picture book.

Welcome, Whobert. This picture book is your debut. While you are well known in the forests around the world, I’m afraid many readers will never have heard of you. So, please, Whobert, Who is Whobert Whover?

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“Who, who am I? Only the most sought after detective in all the forest. I may be a self-taught sleuth, but I have an eye for detail that makes bandits quiver in fear. When not sleuthing, I love to nest up with a good Sherlock Whomes tome.”

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Why are you a detective, when, as an owl, you can become anything you want to become?

“Who, who else would be on the lookout for evildoers if not me? Nobody has as keen an eye for detail as I do. But if I weren’t a detective, I imagine I would have gone into nonprofit work. My friends consider me quite the whomanitarian. And humble, as well.”

Before we get to your debut picture book, I’m curious, are owls really born wise?

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“Oh yes, all owls are wise. But I have to say that I find myself to be the most astute at detective work. I remember spotting a feather just near my mother when I first hatched, which led me to the logical conclusion that we had been brought to the nest by an egg-delivering stork. Who, who could imagine any other way little owlets enter the world?”

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Your debut, Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, is a rather intriguing murder mystery. Is this your first case?

“I have a long and illustrious career as a detective. This is not my first time around the forest, so to speak. I can only imagine that people have just now decided to take a closer look at my work because I have a 100% success rate in solving all my cases, and very accurately to boot. My woodland neighbors highly regard me for keeping our neck of the woods safe.”

In Whobert Whover, Owl Detective and the case of the dead opossum, who did it and why?

“Well if I told you that, you’d know the answer to the mystery! I can tell you that the culprit is very shifty, but never fear. All will be right in the end with me on the case!”

What was the most difficult aspect of the case?

“Just how slippery the miscreant was! I was sure I had found the evildoer near every clue, but he or she was always just out of my grasp.”

The community in which the case occurred seems small. Did you know the victim? 

“We are all very close in this neck of the woods, which is why I take it upon myself to keep all my neighbors safe. I felt I had let Perry down when I found him lying there, awfully still. He is really just crackerjack at impressions, and my first thought upon finding him was that all our neighborhood parties would become a tad bit boring.

“I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to rid the forest of Perry’s special brand of fun. And even though I call all the suspects friends, I knew not investigating the matter to my fullest capabilities would be a serious miscarriage of justice. There was no one who, who was immune to being questioned. I must say, however, that I’m still unsure about trusting the fish. Their words are always garbled and bubbly. It’s all very fishy.”

Back to your book, Whobert Whover, Owl Detective is your—and Jason Gallaher’s—debut children’s book. Did you enjoy collaborating with Jason?

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“I gave Jason a blow-by-blow account of the case, and I have to tell you when I read the book, I felt like I was back in the moment, inspecting every clue. It’s very accurate, very sensory, very stimulating. It very clearly demonstrates the exuberance with which I conduct detective work.”

Did you like Jess Pauwels’ depiction of you and the other characters?

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“Jess is an artistic genius! I feel like no other artist could quite convey the rugged handsomeness with which I approach my investigative duties. And she so beautifully captures how quaint and joyful the forest is in which we live. It is that feeling of joy that I strive so ardently to protect. This picture of Jess is the official ‘Owl Detective’ police composite.”

Will there be any more crime stories told from Whobert Whover’s detective files?

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“We will have to wait and see. I, of course, would be happy to detail my entire catalog of cases held in my detective dossiers.”

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Have you met any of your fans, yet? What is it like meeting someone who likes your book?

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“I have to say that my fans are rather boisterous. They come up to me shouting, “Who, who, who!” It was rather confusing at first. I thought it was a call to action to find out who, who done it! I must never let my detective instincts dwindle, so I still initially ensure that no evildoers are afoot, but as soon as I am sure all is well, I join in the endearing call.”

What is up next for Whobert Whover, Owl Detective?

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“Cracking cases, you can be sure of that! Just exactly what those cases are, we will have to wait and see. Jason and I have been combing over my detective dossiers to decide which case to show the world next, should the opportunity arise.”

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Thank you, Whobert Whover, for stopping by Kid Lit Reviews. You are most gracious. I look forward to reading your first book, Whobert Whover, Owl Detective.

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“Thank you for this opportunity! Who, who knew an interview could be this fun!”

Stop by tomorrow, same place, same time, for the first of hopefully many volumes of Whobert Whover, Owl Detective.

Whobert Whover, Owl Detective
written by Jason Gallaher
illustrated by Jess Pauwels
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Simon & Schuster 7/18/2017
978-1-4814-6271-6
40 pages; Ages 4—6

Pre-Order at: Amazon—Indie Books—Apple Books—Simon & Schuster

Add to your Goodreads Shelf HERE.

Check out author Jason Gallaher HERE.
Check out artist Jess Pauwels HERE.
Check out owl detective, Whobert Whover HERE.

All Illustrations, except Jess Pauwels picture, are from WHOBERT WHOVER, OWL DETECTIVE by Jason Gallaher, copyright © 2017 by Jess Pauwels. Used with permission from Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster.

Tomorrow, find out what this debut children’s picture book is all about. Go to the review of Whobert Whover, Owl Detective HERE!