About This Book
Reach for this book when your child's natural curiosity starts to border on meddling or when they are struggling to understand boundaries with friends and neighbors. Gertrude is a persistent bulldog with a passion for detective work, but her constant snooping makes her neighbors so uncomfortable that they plant fake clues to lead her away. It is a humorous look at how being 'helpful' can sometimes be a nuisance to others. While Gertrude eventually finds a real mystery to solve, the story gently explores themes of embarrassment and the importance of respecting others' privacy. It is an ideal choice for the elementary years (ages 4 to 8), offering a lighthearted way to discuss social cues and the difference between being observant and being intrusive. Parents will appreciate the clever plot that rewards Gertrude's spirit while acknowledging her neighbors' frustrations.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and lighthearted. There is a depiction of a 'real' crime (burglary), but it is handled with slapstick humor rather than genuine threat. The resolution is hopeful and humorous.
