(2) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. Illustrated by Eva Eriksson. "One day we had nothing to do. We wanted some fun. Then Esther found a bumblebee." This illustrated early chapter book is a darkly comedic exploration of life and death. Three bored children begin holding funerals for dead animals they happen upon, beginning with the bumblebee. Flowers, poetry, tears, and a cigar-box coffin make the first funeral such a success that they start a business, Funerals Ltd. Among other creatures, that day they bury a pet hamster, a rooster, and three dead fish Esther finds in the fridge. Busy and self-righteous in their work ("We were very kind and good, looking after the dead animals. We were the nicest people in the world"), they enjoy great satisfaction and become greedy for larger creatures to bury. Then, at dusk, a blackbird flies into a window and dies before their eyes. The suddenness of the transition unsettles the three children, and this final funeral, though still melodramatic, feels more personal and less like a game. "The next day we found something else to do. Something completely different." Honest and uncomfortable humor within the soft, pale vignettes and full-page and double-page-spread art captures the book's spirit, with a final spread showing the graveyard the trio created, with wooden crosses and stones labeled with names (including "A fish," "One more fish," and "One more fish") commemorating all the creatures whose lives were honored that day.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. Illustrated by Gitte Spee. In the fourth Detective Gordon entry, toad Gordon's protégé Buffy realizes that she doesn't know the fate of her mouse family she was separated from when coming to the forest. The detectives set off on an urgent mission, solve the case, and reunite Buffy with her family. The adventure moves along briskly, but deeper issues permeate the story. The future is bright both for the forest police and for readers hoping for another installment.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. Illustrated by Gitte Spee. Things have changed in the cozy forest police station since Detective Gordon: A Complicated Case. With Detective Gordon (toad) experimenting with retirement, Buffy (mouse) is acting as chief detective. Gordon finds his life lacks purpose; Buffy misses Gordon's company. Both are too proud to admit their needs until a crisis (two missing kindergartners) brings them together. The tone here is understatedly hilarious, with built-in nuttiness and absurdity.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(2) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. Illustrated by Gitte Spee. In their second case, Detective Gordon (an elderly toad) and Police Assistant Buffy (a young mouse) investigate who has been saying "nasty things" to fellow forest creatures. As before, the friends' application of the law is just. Humor and affection in the text and illustrations (loose black line drawings with washes of warm color) make for a thoughtful but light-handed exploration of bullying.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(1) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. Illustrated by Gitte Spee. Detective Gordon (a toad) and his new assistant, Policewoman Buffy (a mouse), are as different as chalk and cheese: he's elderly, cerebral, and weapons-averse; she's young, agile, and eager to get her hands on the station's locked-away pistol. Here they track down nut thieves--teenage squirrels with attitude--and mete out a creative punishment. Sly, personality-rich, wintry-hued illustrations perfectly match a funny, gently satirical text.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015