Books About Animal Detectives

The Best Animal Detectives Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about animal detectives? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 6 Favorite Books About Animal Detectives

The President's Mane Is Missing
Sale price
$1591
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2016

The President's Mane Is Missing

By Tom Angleberger · Inspector Flytrap series

A plant detective tackles mysteries involving the president and a giant horse statue.

112 pages· 5,995 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 454 ratings
$16.75Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: Inspector Flytrap, a Venus flytrap detective, and his assistant Nina the Goat face their biggest challenges yet. With the president involved and a giant horse statue attracting cosmic threats, can they solve these bizarre mysteries? Dive into a world where no case is too big, but some are too small for this quirky duo. Will they uncover the truth behind these peculiar events, or will the mysteries remain unsolved? Join the adventure and find out!
The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2014

The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken

By Doreen Cronin, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the The Chicken Squad series

A quirky squad of chickens tackles the bizarre mystery of a kidnapped house.

128 pages· 4,197 words· Est. 35 min read
4.0 Goodreads · 956 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: The Chicken Squad is back, and this time Dirt, Sugar, Sweetie, and Poppy face their most peculiar case yet—a kidnapped house! When a frantic blue bird reports the bizarre crime, the squad must unravel the mystery. But something about this case is truly nuts, and the key to solving it might be more surprising than they expect. Can these feathered detectives crack the case before it's too late? Join the hilarious adventure and find out!
The Case of the Lost Boy
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2010

The Case of the Lost Boy

By Dori Hillestad Butler, Jeremy Tugeau (Illustrator) · The Buddy Files series

A detective dog must solve the mystery of his missing family and a vanished boy.

128 pages· 11,227 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 995 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: King, a detective dog, faces a puzzling dilemma: his family is missing, and he's stuck in the pound. Adopted by a new family who calls him Buddy, he soon faces another mystery when young Connor disappears. With the help of a large dog named Mouse and a mysterious cat, King must unravel the secrets surrounding him. Can this clever canine solve the mysteries and find his way back to his beloved human? Dive into a tale of loyalty, courage, and unexpected friendships.
Operation Owl
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2022

Operation Owl

By Mo O'Hara, Jess Bradley (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Agent Moose series

A mysterious villain floods Big Forest. Can agents solve the caper before it's too late?

128 pages· 4,406 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 91 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Agent Moose and Owlfred face their toughest mission yet as strange floods and daring heists threaten Big Forest. When Madame HQ is kidnapped, the duo must unravel the clues to stop a cunning criminal. Will they save the forest before it floats away?
The Tiger's Eye (2)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$958
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2021

The Tiger's Eye (2)

By Felix Gumpaw, Glass House Graphics (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Pup Detectives series

A priceless statue is stolen from Pawston Elementary School, and it's up to the P.I. Pack to solve the mystery

144 pages· 2,773 words· Est. 29 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 106 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Rider Woofson and his team of puppy detectives face a new challenge: the theft of the Tiger’s Eye statue during Show and Tell at Pawston Elementary. With a list of suspects and motives to uncover, the PI Pack must solve the mystery without missing their favorite meal. Will they crack the case in time, or will the thief outsmart them? Join the pups as they sniff out clues and navigate schoolyard antics in this thrilling adventure.
The Case of the Missing Tiger's Eye
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 5–9 · 2016

The Case of the Missing Tiger's Eye

By Walker Styles, Ben Whitehouse (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Rider Woofson series

A dog detective and his team tackle Pawston's criminal underbelly.

128 pages· 4,780 words· Est. 54 min read
3.8 Goodreads · 114 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In Pawston, where animals live as model citizens, a shadowy criminal underbelly lurks. Enter Rider Woofson, the top dog detective, and his Pup Investigators Pack. Can they outsmart cunning criminals and solve the purr-fect crime? With every clue, the stakes rise in this thrilling mystery series for young readers.
Ages 7–10Junior Chapter Book Club

Great books for ages 7–10, every month.

Two hardcover chapter books a month for readers ready for longer stories, with coordinated spines for a beautiful shelf.

See the Junior Chapter Book ClubFrom $21.95 a box
Books from the Junior Chapter Book Club in a Bookroo box