Who is it, Whoodini?

by Roman Yasiejko, Gustavo Ramos (Illustrator)

Follow the clues to reveal an unexpected surprise in this rhyming mystery read-aloud!

Eyes wide with surprise and necks twisting to see, 
two owls whoo-hooted, "Now who could that be?"

When a mysterious bird crashes into a tree, two curious owls--Cahoots and Whoodini--set out to investigate. They fly down to interview their barnyard friends, but after gathering all the clues, they're still stumped . . . until Whoodini overhears an unexpected hint.

Clever clues, teamwork, and a delightful surprise ending await young detectives in this charming mystery.

Genres: Picture Books, Mystery, Childrens, Animals, Birds

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Who Is It, Whoodini?, written by Roman Yasiejko and illustrated by Gustavo Ramos, a playful pastoral tale of a mysterious discovery.

One day, two owls’ teatime is disrupted by a larger, colorful bird crashing into a nearby tree. Whoodini, a deerstalker-and-cape-clad owl, and her trusty pal Cahoots are on the case, embarking on an investigation to identify the rabble-rouser and where they’ve come from. After questioning a few animals at the nearby farm, Whoodini overhears a conversation that breaks the case wide open – but can the reader figure out the answer before the final page?

Uneven yet ambitious. What works in this Holmesian mystery tale for young readers works very well; it is a fun guessing game to try and determine the mystery behind the crashing bird, and one that is simple enough for little bookworms to suss out on their own if they so choose. The rhyming text flows extremely well, and it is a lot of fun to read aloud. I was even pleasantly surprised by Whoodini being given female pronouns, yet not overtly “feminized” visually; it was nice to find that our intrepid sleuth was a girl all along. However, there are a few areas falter a bit. I could nitpick about Whoodini’s slightly confusing name, especially as she is clearly modeled thematically and visually after Sherlock Holmes, but the main distraction was the disconnect between the artwork and story. While both are wonderful in their own right, it felt odd to have such a playful mystery paired with such deeply atmospheric acrylic and gouache paintings. While the artwork is gorgeous, it feels a little too weighty for such a light story, and the characters often blend in to the scenery a little too much. Otherwise, the length is fine for a storytime, and JJ did enjoy the final reveal. This one is definitely worth a look; even with its flaws, it’s a delightful ride from start to finish. Baby Bookworm approved.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, rhyming read-aloud with owl characters that will warm your child’s heart and engage them with a mystery to solve! Owls, Whoodini and his best friend Cahoots, witness an unknown bird crashing into a tree. They’re hot on the trail to gather clues and discover who it is. Young readers will be pulled into a delightful tale as they work alongside the main characters in figuring out the mystery before the final page. Children will know the mystery bird by the end of the book, but they will undoubtedly beg to have this story read again and again. Because it’s just that good! I hope there is a sequel in the works for these clever, furry friends!

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute and fun book to read aloud to young children (aimed at ages 4-8)! The rhyming and playful text is engaging and the mystery is a fun one to explore.

The premise is that something mysterious flies and crashes into a tree and all the barnyard animals are confused but Whoodini and Cahoots (two owls) work together to ask for help from the farm animals to get the story straight and solve the mystery of the bird in the tree.

The illustrations are equally playful and entertaining.

There's a point about 3/4ths of the way into the story where children might start to catch on and solve the mystery themselves. The payoff works whether they solve it or not though.

Charming and sweet!

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Yeehoo Press. Opinions are my own.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two owls are forced to investigate what the heck flew into a nearby tree, as it seemed to be a bird they didn't recognise. None of the farmyard animals saw enough of what was going on to give the full picture, but soon our investigators might just be able to piece together all the clues. I certainly did, but the target audience? I'm not sure. What is certain is their appreciation for the fully-rhymed (and fully successfully rhymed) narration, and the craft of the uniformly double-page spreads of the visuals. In all it turns a minor sort of incident into a wide-screen drama, and it's all done with much talent and aplomb. Four and a half stars.

[Bedtime Stories with Dessi! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cheerful and engaging story. The beautiful illustrations are true works of art that bring the characters to life. Whoodini is a great detective as she searches around the farm for clues and asking questions, you feel like you are part of the detective team. The rhyming is very enjoyable and will get you hooked into the storyline. I highly recommend reading this book to your little ones, it has everything a story would need in it, and you'll want to read it over and over again. Oh and spoiler alert, Whoodini and Cahoots discover that ....... you're going to have to read the story to find out!

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It flew with a whooooosh, then it crashed with a thump..." So begins the delightful story, Who Is It, Whoodini? This rollicking, rhyming mystery with fun word play is sure to delight. And once the two owls, Cahoots and Whoodini, solve the mystery of the strange bird, young readers will want to reread and search for the clues along the way.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art in this book is marvelous and awe-inspiring! Join Whoodini and Cahoots, owl detectives, as they investigate a farm on the whereabouts of a strange and colorful whooshing bird that no critter has encountered before.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who exactly is the mystery bird stuck in the tree and where did they come from? You'll have to read this joyful new picture book and investigate for yourself!⁠
⁠
Who is it, Whoodini? is filled with fun and a treat to read aloud.⁠

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two inquisitive Owls play detective one night to discover "What is that bird in the barnyard?" A humorous and delightful picture book for youngsters.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little mystery told in rhyme. It would be fun to read this aloud and see how many classes guess the riddle before the end.

Story: 4
Illustrations: 4
Read-aloud: 4

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This playful mystery is quite unique and fun to read aloud. It features two curious owls who attempt to figure out what they heard crash into a tree. You follow the clues in this well paced story to the nearby farm and back. It is fun for kids to guess along with who or what is stuck in the tree. Illustrated with glowing warm paintings, the whole book feels cozy and perfect for snuggling and reading together.

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful tale with lovable characters, told in jaunty rhyme. Kids will enjoy the fun mystery angle and twist ending.