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Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye #4
Fish You Were Here
The animals in Mr. Venezi's pet shop are used to how forgetful he is. Then he hires the perfect assistant, Viola. She does her job so well that Mr. V hardly needs to be there. In fact, one day, Mr. V doesn't come back at all! But then Viola starts ignoring the animals. Has Mr. V given the pet shop to a villain? Or is some other mystery afoot? Sasspants, PI(G)--fluffy-but-determined guinea pig detective--and junior detective Hamisher the hamster--will soon fish out the answers!Book PaperbackPublication 9/1/2011 46Reading Age 7 and Up
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
14 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Colleen A.F. Venable
51 books437 followersYou might know me from such films as "Colleen's Fourth Birthday Party" and "Colleen Falls Down Over and Over Again While Ice Skating."
Fun facts!
-I have a huge connect-the-dots tattoo.
-I accidentally started an international holiday.
(See National Pancake Day or Lumberjack Day, every Sept 26)
-I once sang back-up on an album nominated for the Polka Grammy.
-I can't sing.
-When I was 18, I broke a national coed jump-rope record.
My debut YA graphic novel Kiss Number 8 was a National Book Award Longlist title, an Eisner nominee, and a Prism award finalist.
My graphic novel series Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye (illustrated by Stephanie Yue) was nominated for an Eisner for Best Publication for Kids and awarded “Best Book” recognition from Kirkus Reviews, NYPL, Bank Street, and the Junior Library Guild.
I grew up in the trees of Walden, New York….well, not very high up the trees, since I always got scared, but I did carve my name in a lot of low hanging boughs. I had an older sister, a dog, a cat, a million fish, and an imaginary pet hamster named, yup you guessed it, Hamisher. Why have an imaginary friend when you can have an imaginary friend that can fit in your pocket!
I went to Wagner College and double majored in English and Studio Art, winning the award of “biggest dork” (aka first in my class)
I love graphic novels more than I love having feet and I really do love having feet. They keep my shoes on.
Pssst My name is actually spelled Colleen AF Venable. No punctuation. My birth name was Colleen Ann Venable, but in 1994 I asked to change my middle name to Felicity, because that's the sort of thing you do when you are 14. So I started to go by Colleen AF...mostly because I was bad at typing periods. The internet either ruined my name or made it SO MUCH COOLER. You can decide.
Fun facts!
-I have a huge connect-the-dots tattoo.
-I accidentally started an international holiday.
(See National Pancake Day or Lumberjack Day, every Sept 26)
-I once sang back-up on an album nominated for the Polka Grammy.
-I can't sing.
-When I was 18, I broke a national coed jump-rope record.
My debut YA graphic novel Kiss Number 8 was a National Book Award Longlist title, an Eisner nominee, and a Prism award finalist.
My graphic novel series Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye (illustrated by Stephanie Yue) was nominated for an Eisner for Best Publication for Kids and awarded “Best Book” recognition from Kirkus Reviews, NYPL, Bank Street, and the Junior Library Guild.
I grew up in the trees of Walden, New York….well, not very high up the trees, since I always got scared, but I did carve my name in a lot of low hanging boughs. I had an older sister, a dog, a cat, a million fish, and an imaginary pet hamster named, yup you guessed it, Hamisher. Why have an imaginary friend when you can have an imaginary friend that can fit in your pocket!
I went to Wagner College and double majored in English and Studio Art, winning the award of “biggest dork” (aka first in my class)
I love graphic novels more than I love having feet and I really do love having feet. They keep my shoes on.
Pssst My name is actually spelled Colleen AF Venable. No punctuation. My birth name was Colleen Ann Venable, but in 1994 I asked to change my middle name to Felicity, because that's the sort of thing you do when you are 14. So I started to go by Colleen AF...mostly because I was bad at typing periods. The internet either ruined my name or made it SO MUCH COOLER. You can decide.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 22, 2019
Mr. Venezi is looking for an assistant for his pet shop and at first his interviews aren’t going so well. Mr. V. needs to find someone who can handle the day-to-day operations of his pet shop and one who can handle, the quirky Mr. V..
When Viola walked in the door, they all thought she was perfect and she was hired on the spot. She made everyone happy at first and then, Viola took an unexpected turn. The animals felt that Viola wasn’t doing her job and to make matters worse, what happened to Mr. Venezi?
When the owner doesn’t arrive to work at his normal time, the animals start to panic and you don’t want that to happen.
I thought this was a cute story as Sasspants, the guinea pig, and Hamisher, the hamster come together to try to solve this case. There are a lot of text boxes, with plenty of words, in this graphic novel so keep that in mind when selecting this book. I liked how the creatures worked together and how they pieced together the mystery to solve things. It was a fun story.
When Viola walked in the door, they all thought she was perfect and she was hired on the spot. She made everyone happy at first and then, Viola took an unexpected turn. The animals felt that Viola wasn’t doing her job and to make matters worse, what happened to Mr. Venezi?
When the owner doesn’t arrive to work at his normal time, the animals start to panic and you don’t want that to happen.
I thought this was a cute story as Sasspants, the guinea pig, and Hamisher, the hamster come together to try to solve this case. There are a lot of text boxes, with plenty of words, in this graphic novel so keep that in mind when selecting this book. I liked how the creatures worked together and how they pieced together the mystery to solve things. It was a fun story.
November 15, 2012
This series is always such a treat. It would appeal to kids who enjoy humor of the Amelia Bedelia style, with a pet shop owner who mixes up words [and animals] in such goofy ways, and fish who are all named Steve because that's the only name they can remember. Fish have terrible memories, you see...
In this case, the mystery centers on the pet shop's new teen employee, who works very hard under supervision, but not at all on her own. Unlike the owner, she knows and uses the correct names for the animals, and feeds them the correct food. Unfortunately, she spends the rest of the time watching soap operas on her laptop computer, leading to some funny misunderstandings.
Stephanie Yue's artwork is cute and very well suited to the story.
In this case, the mystery centers on the pet shop's new teen employee, who works very hard under supervision, but not at all on her own. Unlike the owner, she knows and uses the correct names for the animals, and feeds them the correct food. Unfortunately, she spends the rest of the time watching soap operas on her laptop computer, leading to some funny misunderstandings.
Stephanie Yue's artwork is cute and very well suited to the story.
June 22, 2011
Five stars? Yep. I'm giving this book 5 stars. I've loved the books in this series, and with this one I think they've gotten EVEN better. Maybe it's just because I've gotten to attached to the goofy characters? I don't know. But my gut says 5 stars for this one, if for no other reason than reading it made me want to go right back and re-read all the others. AND put them in the hands of every 2nd - 4th grader I see! Plus at one point I snorted loudly on the subway while reading this one and am SURE I was grinning ear to ear through all the pages. It definitely brought out the third grader in me!
November 29, 2012
Another very cute book from Colleen Venable and Stephanie Yue! :)
Mr. V interviews for a shop assistant, and decides on a girl named Viola. She seems to be the perfect assistant... But is she? And things take a turn for the worst when Mr. V mysteriously vanishes!
I liked this one - some very cute scenes with Hamisher and Sassy, and we get to know some of the other characters better as well, like the Chinchillas. We also meet a brand new character, brought in by Viola.
Mr. V interviews for a shop assistant, and decides on a girl named Viola. She seems to be the perfect assistant... But is she? And things take a turn for the worst when Mr. V mysteriously vanishes!
I liked this one - some very cute scenes with Hamisher and Sassy, and we get to know some of the other characters better as well, like the Chinchillas. We also meet a brand new character, brought in by Viola.
January 2, 2026
This is by far my favorite in the series so far. I laughed so hard. Some, the story fit perfectly with a family inside joke about a cat named Not My Cat. The fish was like lightning striking for me. The ending was very funny too. I'm sharing this one with several family members, and I definitely recommend this series. I would definitely go in order though, just in case you haven't read the previous books first. I read the first three out of order, and I regret it. Still, I love the series, and on to the next!
April 22, 2019
Another successful case for Sasspants and Hamisher.
January 24, 2023
These books are just so stinking cute!
February 21, 2025
pretty funny/cute
April 19, 2014
(Primary)Fish You Were Here: Guinea Pig: Pet Shop Private Eye #4
1. This was a fun book to read about two detective guinea pigs who solve the mystery of what happened to their beloved pet store owner. I do not think I would add this to my collection but again, I would recommend this to my media specialist. I think this book would be difficult to read with my preschoolers. I noticed myself jumping from speech bubble to speech bubble and I know I would loose the interest of my students. I would consider putting this book out in my library center as a way to expose my students to different types of texts.
2. This would be a great book for students in grades one through three and for those who are beginning and intermediate readers. This book would fit nicely within a mystery/detective collection and is a nice example of a problem/solution. I found myself wondering what would happen throughout the book. I can easily see students and teachers making many predictions and asking and answering questions before, during and after reading as an activity. Students who enjoy mystery books and animals would enjoy this graphic novel. This book also does a nice job of showing how you are able to accomplish tasks through working together. This story also encourage the reader to take on a bit of a detective as they solve the mystery!
3. (2011, September 15). Booklist. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
Mixed-up, lovable Mr. Venezi has hired an assistant for his pet shop. Viola seems to be efficient, but Sasspants the guinea pig suspects something isn't quite right. When Mr. V doesn't come to the shop the next morning, and Viola ignores the animals (except for the chinchillas) to watch a show on her computer, Sasspants and her hamster sidekick investigate the situation. Young readers will enjoy the wacky detective interviews and, if they pay attention to Hans, the new fish, they may solve the mystery before Sasspants does. Venable and Yue have concocted another winning entry in the cute Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye series.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2010 Booklist
1. This was a fun book to read about two detective guinea pigs who solve the mystery of what happened to their beloved pet store owner. I do not think I would add this to my collection but again, I would recommend this to my media specialist. I think this book would be difficult to read with my preschoolers. I noticed myself jumping from speech bubble to speech bubble and I know I would loose the interest of my students. I would consider putting this book out in my library center as a way to expose my students to different types of texts.
2. This would be a great book for students in grades one through three and for those who are beginning and intermediate readers. This book would fit nicely within a mystery/detective collection and is a nice example of a problem/solution. I found myself wondering what would happen throughout the book. I can easily see students and teachers making many predictions and asking and answering questions before, during and after reading as an activity. Students who enjoy mystery books and animals would enjoy this graphic novel. This book also does a nice job of showing how you are able to accomplish tasks through working together. This story also encourage the reader to take on a bit of a detective as they solve the mystery!
3. (2011, September 15). Booklist. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
Mixed-up, lovable Mr. Venezi has hired an assistant for his pet shop. Viola seems to be efficient, but Sasspants the guinea pig suspects something isn't quite right. When Mr. V doesn't come to the shop the next morning, and Viola ignores the animals (except for the chinchillas) to watch a show on her computer, Sasspants and her hamster sidekick investigate the situation. Young readers will enjoy the wacky detective interviews and, if they pay attention to Hans, the new fish, they may solve the mystery before Sasspants does. Venable and Yue have concocted another winning entry in the cute Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye series.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2010 Booklist
August 26, 2011
Mr. Venezi is looking for an assistant, but he’s not having a lot of luck with his interviewing. He doesn’t seem to know how to ask the right questions, and none of the applicants know quite how to deal with his quirks. Until Viola walks in the door – she loves animals and knows a lot about them, but most importantly, she doesn’t give Mr. Venezi a chance to turn her away. But once Viola gets the job, Mr. Venezi disappears, and the animals are worried that he’s never coming back. Viola begins slacking off – she’d rather watch her favorite soap opera with the chinchillas than work – and Sasspants and Hamisher put on their thinking caps to see if they can discover what’s become of Mr. Venezi.
Fun! I wish Viola hadn’t turned out to be a slacker – she had such promise! As usual, there are multiple silly things going on in addition to the main storyline (the fish, for instance, have decided to call themselves ‘Steve’ – all of them). And the secret of where Sasspants gets all of her books is revealed (there’s a bookstore next door to the pet shop and Sasspants has her own secret entrance). I’m totally naming my next guinea pig “Sasspants.”
Fun! I wish Viola hadn’t turned out to be a slacker – she had such promise! As usual, there are multiple silly things going on in addition to the main storyline (the fish, for instance, have decided to call themselves ‘Steve’ – all of them). And the secret of where Sasspants gets all of her books is revealed (there’s a bookstore next door to the pet shop and Sasspants has her own secret entrance). I’m totally naming my next guinea pig “Sasspants.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2015
Mr. Venezi has the help-wanted sign out, but he's having trouble finding the perfect assistant for the pet shop until high-school freshman Viola walks in the door, full of energy and know-how. At least, she's full of energy until Mr. V's not watching her. Then she's more into binge-watching her soaps then watching the shop. Meanwhile, Mr. V thinks she's doing such a great job that he isn't even needed anymore.
Sasspants and Hamisher have to convince the rest of the pet store to take some drastic action to get Mr. V to come back. But first they need to solve the mystery of where he's gone.
This was the second in this graphic novel series that I've read, and it was amusing and cute. The subplot involving the goldfish (all named Steve) getting a pleco as a new addition to their tank was particularly fun.
Sasspants and Hamisher have to convince the rest of the pet store to take some drastic action to get Mr. V to come back. But first they need to solve the mystery of where he's gone.
This was the second in this graphic novel series that I've read, and it was amusing and cute. The subplot involving the goldfish (all named Steve) getting a pleco as a new addition to their tank was particularly fun.
April 14, 2014
This is the fourth mystery in the Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye series. We've enjoyed the series so far.
In this story, Sasspants has to figure out what happened to Mr. Venezi. I love that Viola, the young girl Mr. Venezi hires, learns a lesson about responsibility in this tale.
The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and the narrative is entertaining. Sometimes the dialogue is a bit confusing, but on the whole, it's an entertaining story.
Our youngest daughter and I read this book independently and thought it was pretty entertaining; the animals are so adorable. I am sure that we'll read more of the books in this series.
In this story, Sasspants has to figure out what happened to Mr. Venezi. I love that Viola, the young girl Mr. Venezi hires, learns a lesson about responsibility in this tale.
The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and the narrative is entertaining. Sometimes the dialogue is a bit confusing, but on the whole, it's an entertaining story.
Our youngest daughter and I read this book independently and thought it was pretty entertaining; the animals are so adorable. I am sure that we'll read more of the books in this series.
March 25, 2013
I really love this series.
I read the first two volumes a while back and liked them, but now that I've revisited the story with volumes three through five I like them even more. The characters continue to develop, the same jokes and gags carry through without getting stale, and the whole enterprise is witty, funny, and smart. The little educational bits at the end of each book are actually interesting and enlightening without feeling either dry or patronizing. And the art is stellar. If only all detective stories could be so entertaining.
I highly recommend.
I read the first two volumes a while back and liked them, but now that I've revisited the story with volumes three through five I like them even more. The characters continue to develop, the same jokes and gags carry through without getting stale, and the whole enterprise is witty, funny, and smart. The little educational bits at the end of each book are actually interesting and enlightening without feeling either dry or patronizing. And the art is stellar. If only all detective stories could be so entertaining.
I highly recommend.
April 11, 2016
Fish You Were Here is the fourth installment of the "Guinea Pig, Pet shop private eye" series. Mr. V is looking for an assistant (what's with the hat, BTW?) and he hires Viola...who may be up to something! It's up to our intrepid (long-suffering) hero's to figure out what's going on...and save the shop! The Steve's and Not-Steve were my favourite - the illustrations were cute and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this series for early chapter book readers.
May 6, 2011
(Review of an ARC):
Absolutely hilarious. Mr. Venezi still hasn't got a clue about his animals, but he certainly loves them. Meanwhile, all of the animals have great personalities. I love all the fish named "Steve" and "not-Steve" and the confusion. I think my favorite bit is where Mr. V. leaves and comes immediately back in to say "Good Morning." His method of problem solving is absolute genius! :)
Absolutely hilarious. Mr. Venezi still hasn't got a clue about his animals, but he certainly loves them. Meanwhile, all of the animals have great personalities. I love all the fish named "Steve" and "not-Steve" and the confusion. I think my favorite bit is where Mr. V. leaves and comes immediately back in to say "Good Morning." His method of problem solving is absolute genius! :)
June 13, 2011
My four year-old and I really enjoyed reading this one together. The story line was interesting and the characters were vibrant and memorable (especially all of the fish named "Steve" and "Not-Steve". The comic book format was new for my daughter, but the pictures were easy to follow and really helped her to imagine all of the animals in the pet store. We loved the way Mr. V. solved the problem at the end!
July 17, 2014
November 12 2011
Every bit as fun as the previous three. And totally flea-free, unlike the enormous cat in my lap as I type.
***
June 21 2012
I couldn't remember whether I had read this one, so I had to re-read it to be sure. It was fun, and held up well. I guess that's the plus side of having a lousy memory.
Library copy.
Every bit as fun as the previous three. And totally flea-free, unlike the enormous cat in my lap as I type.
***
June 21 2012
I couldn't remember whether I had read this one, so I had to re-read it to be sure. It was fun, and held up well. I guess that's the plus side of having a lousy memory.
Library copy.
August 30, 2011
I love this series by Colleen AF Venable, that said this is my least favorite of this series. I guess it wasn't as funny as the first few. But these are written for the children, so I will say that my sons absolutely loved it. We are looking forward to the next book.
December 29, 2011
Mr. Venezi could use an assistant who knows that birds don't eat cat food - and 9th-grader Viola sure knows all about animals. But is she really as awesome as she seems...? Another fine installment in this fantabulous graphic novel series. Grades 2 to 5.
February 19, 2012
This is a very cute comic-book style series about a pet store run by an odd character who doesn't know the correct names of any of the animals in his store. For instance, he labels the chinchilla cage with "Gorillas," etc. This one is the fourth in the series.
May 28, 2011
Very cute!
June 20, 2011
"on a scale of 1 to 10, have you ever ridden a llama?"
ARC from NetGalley
ARC from NetGalley
October 13, 2011
This is by far the best mystery series starring a guinea pig.
January 26, 2013
Great little books with wit and charm.
September 3, 2013
I think this series is cute, but merely okay. My son loves it and spent hours reading it this weekend. He enjoys the distinct humor and personality of each animal. The goofy fish are his favorite.
May 21, 2015
A new player has entered the scene, but is it a good thing or not? I love the fish so much.
June 18, 2015
An assistant is hired for the pet shop, but is she too good to be true?
March 14, 2016
Love this series.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews