"Colorful, eye-catching, simple and just down right cute!"
Number four and the last in the available "young cousins
mysteries", THE CHALK DRAWINGS MYSTERY is a small five-
chapter book that continues the adventures of three curious
cousins. Sarah-Jane and Titus gather in front of the school
with their cousin Timothy to admire his new chalk drawing.
He drew it especially for his art teacher Miss Mattie.
There are several other pictures there as well. But when they find a drawing unlike the rest of the
drawings and clearly drawn by an adult, Timothy quickly
copies the sketch down in his notebook so the three of them
can figure it out later at their house. When they return to
the front of the school, they find that the drawing is gone...
it had been erased! Wet footprints lead them to Jessica,
Miss Mattie's niece and Timothy's classmate. Soon they
discover that she was the one who had erased the beautiful
mystery message with a large wet sponge she was trying to
conceal behind her back. But why? Did she know what the
message said? Was it her message? Ms. Murphy's intriguing book for children is a delight. I
enjoyed reading it to my children, and as in book #3, the
first of this series I had reviewed, my 6-year-old son,
Cameron enjoyed trying to read it on his own. The colorful illustrations are eye-catching and give the
book that extra boost that so many children's books today
lack. The dialogue is simple and realistic. The style is
clear and understandable, but there are a few tough words
for six to eight year olds to read by themselves. But don't
let that discourage you...I think a challenge is good, and
that all children crave it whether they want us to believe
it or not. With a little help from a parent or teacher,
children this age will feel pride as they sound out the
long words included in this book. I know it made my son
feel proud when he finished it. Elspeth Campbell Murphy has more than 100 books published.
She is a full-time writer and graduated from Trinity
College and Moody Bible Institute. Ms. Murphy lives in
Chicago, Illinois with her husband. Nancy Munger has become one of the best-known children's
illustrators in the CBA market. Ms. Munger lives in
Michigan wither family. I highly recommend YOUNG COUSINS MYSTERIES: THE CHALK
DRAWINGS MYSTERY written by Elspeth Campbell Murphy, and
illustrated by a talented artist named Nancy Munger, for
children you book shop for. You'll be glad you did. --Reviewed by Jennifer LB Leese @ ASTORYWEAVERs Book
Reviews©, http://www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff/aswbr.html
Reviewed by Jennifer Leese
Courtesy It's Only Ink!
Posted September 16, 2002
SummaryWhat's the Secret of the Mysterious Message?
While showing his cousins some chalk art he made on the
sidewalk, Timothy sees some other drawings on the sidewalk
nearby. This art is so good, Timothy knows no kid drew it.
Then Timothy, Titus, and Sarah-Jane find a message hidden in
the drawing. Who is the artist? And who is the message is for?
Theme verse: "A trustworthy messenger refreshes those who
send him. He is like the coolness of snow in summertime."
Proverbs 25:13
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