Review Detail

A fun-filled mystery is a foot in the newest installment of Zoo Patrol Squad. MEDIEVAL MAYHEM by Brett Bean is the fourth book in the series and follows Fennlock Fox and Penny the Pig who are returning from their vacation in Harmony Plains to find a castle where Wild Zoo Yonder once stood. A traveling renaissance faire has come to the zoo, and all the animals are having fun except one, Morry the Otter. He's trying to warn the mayor that something is wrong, and when the skeleton keys go missing, the Zoo Patrol Squad must find the culprit or risk losing the zoo altogether.

What I Enjoyed:
This is a really fun series. Fennlock and Penny are a great team and show young readers what it means to work together. I loved Morry's role in this book. He's kind of been the nemesis up to this point, and the author gives him a bigger story and redemption arc. There are teachable moments from Morry's actions that parents of mischievous little ones will like.

The paneling and artwork is vibrant and easy to follow. I do like that the author also assigns a color to the characters so it is easy to see who is talking as the white bubbles can get confusing for little ones. The artwork tells the story as much as the dialogue. There is something to see in every panel. I liked the inclusion of facts about the new animals encountered in this book and on the history of renaissance faires at the end.

Final Thought: MEDIEVAL MAYHEM is a thought-provoking, exciting mystery that will induce giggles and keep readers entertained and asking for more.