"The Web Files"

The Web Files
Author: Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Richard Egielski
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Young Children's Mystery, Fiction
Theme: Robbery, Hygiene, Doing the right thing
Primary/Secondary Characters: Ducktective Web, Bill, Hen, Sheep, Horse, The Dirty Rat
Date of Publication: Year 2001
Publishing Company: Hyperion Books For Children

Summary: Ducktective Web and his partner, Bill, got a call that the Hen had a problem on the farm. They visited the farm and the Hen had told them that her perfectly picked peppers had been stolen. The Horse also had his tomatoes stolen, and the Sheep had her lettuce stolen. The clues led to the fact that someone had stolen all these from the farm to make a salad. Ducktective Web and Bill went to their most Dirty suspect, the Dirty Rat, and found him guilty of committing the crime. The Dirty Rat had lettuce under his chin, and it was clear that he was the burglar. The Dirty Rat got convicted of stealing, poor hygiene, no manners, and not cleaning under his chin after he ate.
This comical story can be used in an elementary classroom, as it provides mystery and comedy to the ready. Ducktective Web and Bill had admirable determination for solving the crime, and when they did, they found the suspect guilty. Children can look to this to remember to always do the right thing, and not touch others' belongings. The Dirty Rat was also convicted of poor hygiene, as this was how he was convicted of the crime. It hints to the child to always have good hygiene and good manners, as Ducktective Web always said "yes ma'am" and was courteous in his actions.