Published by Lyn on 6 June 2012
I've been on the look out for good kids' cycling books ever since our eldest mini-cyclist got her first bike. Prior to discovering the Dog Detectives series, our favourite kids' cycling book was Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen, a fabulous book that follows our heroine from her days on the back of her mum's bike through to casting off her stabilisers and, later, outgrowing her first bike. It's a real treat and perfect for giving as a gift to any mini-cyclist.
The Dog Detectives is a series of illustrated kids' books by Fin and Zoa, the two nomadic cyclists who write the Cycling Gypsies blog, which is based on their travels with their two dogs.
We have a soft spot for Lost in London, given our mini-cyclist was born there, but there's also The Dog Detectives in an Outback Odyssey (popular with Nanny and Pa) and The Great Grizzly North. The books can be bought individually or as a gift set called Noses for Trouble. All three books are illustrated by Monika Suska, so they sit wonderfully well together as a set (and can in fact be bought as such).
The Dog Detectives are adventurous and intrepid, as all good bike-riding detective dogs should be. The stories are interesting and at times challenging, ensuring mini-cyclists have plenty to think about as they pedal off down the lane for another of their very own adventures.
Hopefully there are more books to come in the series.
