The Fish Stick Detective

The Fish Stick Detective offers young readers an entertaining and colorful world of characters in a unique graphic novel approach. Young readers will learn from, laugh at, and want to revisit the world of Hake Pollock, the Fish Stick Detective.

When the mysterious and valuable Neil diamond disappears, Dame Jane Great-Dane rushes to the one detective who can solve the mystery before it hits the papers – Hake Pollock, the famous Fish Stick Detective. The mystery trail will take the Fish Stick Detective from his shabby corner office to the glitzy world of the gem trade and into the halls of academia.

In his trademark trenchcoat and fedora, Hake Pollock sets about investigating the suspects: Sir Humboldt Penn-Gwynn, Lady Javan Magpie, and Sir Struthio Camelus. The background check leads him to the colorful eccentric ornithologist, Dr. Bill Oddly, who helps the fish stick detective to some surprising discoveries.

The Fish Stick Detective offers young readers an entertaining and colorful world of characters in a unique graphic novel approach. Young readers will learn from, laugh at, and want to revisit the world of Hake Pollock, the Fish Stick Detective.

“Billions and billions of stars!” --- Carl Sagan

Reviews Are In!

The Fish Stick Detective presents picture book readers with the zany specter of fish stick Hake Pollock, whose second-floor office on the corner of Tartar and Gorton is so hot, he feels like he is baking when his next case bursts through the door:

 “Dame Jane Great-Dane burst into his office like a sumo in a sauna –too hot and too strong.

“The diamond is gone!” she cried.

The fish stick detective looked up. “The Neil Diamond?”

 At this point, it should be more than evident that this story is not just for kids. John Kilby's whimsical word plays, references to fish and culture, and hard-boiled detective scenario, paired with impossible characters, gives it many literary allusions and references that will prove hilarious to adults who choose this book for read-aloud to the young.

 As the fishy story evolves, Hake finds himself in dogged pursuit of the Neil Diamond, encountering a host of suspects in the process. From the natural history of prime Suspect One, Humboldt penguin Sir Humboldt Penn-Gwynn, to the possibilities of a magpie who likes to hoard bright and shiny objects, the jokes just keep coming.

 Brilliant, colorful illustrations by Mark Penrod personalize, dramatize, and excellently represent these disparate characters as the story unfolds.

The Fish Stick Detective's uncommon blend of approaches displays the nuances of a hard-boiled detective story paired  with the wordplay of a delightful literary game.

Libraries and readers of all ages seeking a story and illustrations that are exceptional in their original thinking and colorful action will welcome The Fish Stick Detective's captivating, uniquely whimsical picture book mystery.

-Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer

Midwest Book Review

While working through the clues with the fedora-wearing detective, readers will learn about the habits, habitats, and behaviors of three bird species (the suspects). The detective mystery format encourages readers to adopt a questioning, investigative approach to facts and science. At the same time, the subtle humor also invites them to look for multiple meanings in the text, encouraging strong literacy skills. Comic-style digital illustrations further invite readers to hunt for clues and hidden meanings.

The Fish Stick Detective is a fun and educational way for young readers to develop their deductive skills in nature and science.”

-Dr. Jen Harrison

The Children’s Book Review

 “Clever!”

You'll enjoy reading this with your kids - they'll learn a few fishy facts and you'll chuckle to boot!”

Picture Book, Great for Gifting, Imaginative, Laugh Out Loud

“Full Of Fun And Whimsy!

What do you get if you cross Dick Tracy and National Geographic (with a side of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?")? You get this delightful book, full of whimsy... with visual puns that match the verbal ones.”

“I loved this book.”

For Elementary School Readers, Picture Book, Imaginative, Funny

“The Fish Stick Detective Is A Treasure”

“I have not taken such pleasure in a children's book since Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad series. If there are 5 stars to be given, I give it all 5.”

“Fun for all ages”

“It was fun for all ages - sometimes a kid’s book is hard to engage as a parent but this had references great for the whole family. Not to mention, who doesn’t love the idea of the detective being a fish stick! That’s so unique and so fun.”

“A Comedy Wrapped In A Mystery”

“My kids love mysteries and this one laced with humor. A captivating Who Done It with superb illustrations. Wonderful book to read to children.

Press

The Fish Stick Detective in the News

The Courier-Gazette Camden, ME

Kilby Releases “The Fish Stick Detective”

The Children’s Book Review

The Fish Stick Detective, by John Kilby | Dedicated Review

Goodreads

The Fish Stick Detective

Recommended Reading - Donovan’s Bookshelf

Donovan's Bookshelf

Publisher’s Weekly

Booklife

Author’s Notes

A few notes about “The Fish Stick Detective”…

“I wanted to write a book that would be shared across generations, that would allow grandparents to explain the world of the film noir detective and who Neil Diamond was, and perhaps listen to a couple of his songs. I wanted to set the story in a world that wasn’t defined by mobile phones or computers, one where learning took place by talking to learned people, asking questions of them, and listening. I hope that the book will awaken that mindset in children and help them learn, not just about birds, but about how smart and resourceful their parents and grandparents are, and what a joy it is to question them and listen.”