Detective Duck HC (2026)

From New York Times bestselling creators—Emmy Award–winning actor Henry Winkler, children's book author Lin Oliver, and Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Dan Santat—comes Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash, a hilarious, full-color chapter book adventure.Willow Feathers McBeaver, aka Detective Duck, is a crime-solving (and very precocious) little duck. She and her animal pals live on beautiful Dogwood Pond, which is adjacent to Lazy Days, a human campground in New England.A pristine spot with clear water, abundant wildlife, and shady willow trees, Dogwood Pond is encountering puzzling problems—mysteries that arise from human-caused disruptions in nature such as water pollution, garbage, warming climate, and human encroachment.Fortunately, Detective Duck is on the job, solving these puzzling mysteries before they get out of hand and destroy their habitatArmed with her ever-present satchel for collecting clues, her logical mind, and endless curiosity, she boldly goes where no pond creature has before, determined to unravel the mysteries and solve any environmental problem that besets her beloved Dogwood Pond.Quacking good fun from the Detective Duck series:Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash (#1)Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole (#2)Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond (#3)Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood (#4)Praise"Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, the pacing and characterization are engaging, and the message about treating the environment with respect is a sound one. Mystery-loving readers will quickly detect the advent of a promising series." —Kirkus"The new Detective Duck series will go over swimmingly with young readers."—Booklist"With its promising, environmentally themed storytelling, this series starter is just ducky."—Publishers Weekly

Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole is a hysterical, full-color chapter book adventure from New York Times bestselling creators—Emmy Award–winning actor Henry Winkler, children's book author Lin Oliver, and Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Dan SantatWillow Feathers McBeaver, aka Detective Duck, is a crime-solving (and very precocious) little duck. She and her animal pals live on Dogwood Pond, a beautiful pond in New England adjacent to Lazy Days, a human campground. Dogwood Pond has always been a pristine spot with clear water, abundant wildlife, and shady willow trees, but now it is encountering puzzling problems—mysteries that arise from human-caused disruptions in nature, such as water pollution, refuse, warming climate, and human encroachment.When Tad the Tadpole goes missing, Detective Duck and her friends in the Pond Squad are on the case. What first seemed like a simple search and rescue mission gets more complicated when her friends find a pipe leaking a strange brown liquid and a cluster of peculiar blue-green plants that make it difficult for the pond creatures to breathe.Fortunately, Detective Duck is on the job, solving these puzzling mysteries before they get out of hand and destroy their habitat! The Pond Squad will have to work together to clean up their environment and bring Tad home in this charming new mystery.Quacking good fun from the Detective Duck series:Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash (#1)Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole (#2)Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond (#3)Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood (#4)Praise***STARRED REVIEW***"[P]lenty of spirit and character..a well-paced adventure...This entertaining sequel is recommended for...those who appreciate children’s stories that carry a gentle message of environmental ­awareness."—School Library Journal"Winkler and Oliver's newest early chapter book offers an engaging cast of animal characters, clearly presented mystery clues, and a gently delivered environmental message."—Booklist"Expanding her expertise, this detecting duck doesn’t disappoint, and neither does this entertaining sequel."—Kirkus Reviews

From New York Times bestselling creators—Emmy Award–winning actor Henry Winkler, children's book author Lin Oliver, and Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Dan Santat—comes a hilarious, full-color chapter book adventure.When the Pond Squad is invited to participate in the Emerald Pond Games, they can't wait to compete. Playing sports, making new friends, and spending time with Maxwell—Emerald Pond's cool mallard duck—sounds like a perfect afternoon to Willow.But when Maxwell mysteriously disappears in the middle of a game, the animals know something's wrong.With all the strange plastic items floating around the pond, Willow is sure Maxwell is in danger. Fortunately, Detective Duck is on the job, solving these puzzling mysteries before they get out of hand and destroy another habitat!The Pond Squad will have to work together to clean up their environment and rescue Maxwell in this charming new mystery.Quacking good fun from the Detective Duck series:Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash (#1)Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole (#2)Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond (#3)Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood (#4)Praise"[P]lentiful, colorful, lively...Willow’s fans will be rapt."—Kirkus Review“With an ­endearing cast of animal characters, humor, mystery, and an environmental angle, this series is a delight for kids and their grown-ups. Recommended for all collections."—School Library Journal“The bright artwork provides visual cues that support comprehension while helping readers follow the action…older children will likely enjoy the silliness…A recommended choice.”—Booklist

From New York Times bestselling creators—Emmy Award–winning actor Henry Winkler, children's book author Lin Oliver, and Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Dan Santat—comes a hysterical, full-color chapter-book adventure.Willow Feathers McBeaver is ready to live out her rock star dreams . . . but her singing voice has her fellow Dogwood Pond residents swimming for the hills.Willow needs a lot of practice, so Beaver McBeaver offers to build her a soundproof studio in their dam. Beaver has been building dams his whole life, so this construction project should be no problem.But when someone punctures a hole in the dam, the McBeaver home—and all of Dogwood Pond—is put in danger. With a massive rainstorm brewing, it will be up to Detective Duck and her Pond Squad to solve the mystery of the hazardous hole and patch the dam before the storm floods their beloved community.Quacking good fun from the Detective Duck series:Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash (#1)Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole (#2)Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond (#3)Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood (#4)