Zeb and Bel: A Case of Bird Problems

Rachel Elliott took her first drawing class at age eight at a neighbor's farm in Oklahoma. She now teaches writing and comics classes in Kentucky, where she lives with her wife. Her debut book, The Real Riley Mayes, was a Stonewall Honor Book. You can learn more about Rachel at rachelelliott.me.Rachel Elliott took her first drawing class at age eight at a neighbor's farm in Oklahoma. She now teaches writing and comics classes in Kentucky, where she lives with her wife. Her debut book, The Real Riley Mayes, was a Stonewall Honor Book. You can learn more about Rachel at rachelelliott.me.

"A fun graphic novel with cute characters, recommended for mystery and animal lovers alike." — School Library Journal"An imaginative whodunit for aspiring young sleuths." — Kirkus ReviewsElliott’s illustrations are a perfect match for this lively and energetic story. Crisp lines and cheerful colors delightfully portray everything from Bel’s expression of shock while being bird-dived to Zeb’s playful poses as he vies for his whisker-sister’s attention. ?is first installment includes the story of how Zeb and Bel met, which is sure to pull on readers’ heartstrings. Budding comic-book artists will get a kick out of the back matter, which includes a guide to drawing both furry main characters. — The Horn BookBel’s dry yet cheeky case notes emphasize the pooch and feline’s unlikely closeness and highlight how relying on each other’s differences and individual strengths—such as Bel’s practical, business-minded persona and Zeb’s free-spirited attitude—makes their partnership stronger. — Publisher's WeeklyZeb and Bel's silly odd couple dynamic propels the story, which gets increasingly entertaining as other pets and wild animals from their city neighborhood start offering clues...Elliott’s angular cartoon style balances the occasionally wacky playfulness with nicely articulated emotion. — Booklist