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Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows

Dr. Marsha and her crew are living in Australia teaching healthy habits to the other animals in their town. But she turns into Doctoroo! to help solve mysteries all over the world! In this book, they fly to America to find out who stole all the marshmallows and hotdogs from the 4th of July cookout. Who could it be?!

47 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

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About the author

Rachel B. Wellner

2 books58 followers
Dr. Rachel Wellner is a Board-Certified general surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Society of Surgical Oncology-trained breast oncology surgeon. In addition to her MD and surgical training, Dr. Wellner earned a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University, reflecting her interest in global health. Most recently, she founded a start-up called Caelum Diagnostic Solutions, Inc. with the goal to identify cancer edges intraoperatively. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Care.

She has also been Director of Breast Services at NYEE/Continuum Cancer Center, Pascal Valley Hospital, and Palisades General Hospital. Dr. Wellner graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College, earned her medical degree from the University of Connecticut and her Master's degree in Public Health from Columbia University. She pursued her surgical training at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine and worked to establish clinical rotations in underserved regions of Nicaragua, Guatemala, India, and The Dominican Republic. She has been featured as a guest expert on several local and national news networks, including WPLX 11, Fox and Friends, and CNN.

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5 stars
8 (34%)
4 stars
8 (34%)
3 stars
3 (13%)
2 stars
1 (4%)
1 star
3 (13%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,843 reviews356 followers
November 30, 2021

This cute little indie read Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by Dr. Rachel Wellner MD was not only great as an introduction to the genre of mystery stories for preschoolers/ early primary school-aged children as this book is perfect for children aged 4-8 years old. It also introduces children to a mixture of animals that can only be found in Australia and also only in the US. The book starts in Australia with Dr. Marsha and her friends, she has received a letter from her cousin who is the Mayor of Washington DC in America. It is the 4th July festival coming up which is a major holiday in the US and someone has stolen their Hot Dogs and Marshmallows and now the animals are worried as this is the main part of their festival. Now Dr. Marsha and her friends are on a plane to the US to help solve the mystery and not only do their help solve the mystery but also along the way teach the US animals some tips about eating healthy and having a balanced diet of sweet and healthy food.
Profile Image for Westveil Books.
694 reviews61 followers
November 29, 2021
I was sent a complimentary copy of Dr Marsha as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with iRead Book Tours. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Rating: 3.5 - rounded to 4 for sites that don't have partial ratings.

In this story, a kangaroo named Dr Marsha and several of her familiar Down Under animal friends set out to ensure that the kids of Washington State and the rest of the USA eat a healthy, balanced meal while they celebrate the 4th of July - all while solving the mystery of where the hotdogs and marshmallows disappeared to.

This story presents a cute, age-appropriate mystery for primary grade aged kids that also teaches vital lessons about nutrition and healthy balance in our diets. The illustrations are bright, high-effort, and adorable. I think this would be a great classroom read during a nutrition unit in elementary science classes.

With that said, everything about this book is long, and younger kids are sure to lose interest. Some of these pages have as many as 16 lines, which is a lot for a picture book, and even the title is quite lengthy. As the parent of a 4-year-old who is never satisfied with just one book at bedtime (or ever 3 or 4) I will not be adding this one to her shelf when I'm done with it just yet. My husband and I will get annoyed reading it and she'll lose interest before it's done. I may bring this along on Christmas visits to see if my elementary school teacher family members want it for their classrooms instead.

Also, just wanted to note that there's a big full-page illustration of the "Food Pyramid" and it looks like the now outdated 1992 version that awards nearly 50% of the day's servings to the grains category. This set of recommendations has not been in use in North America since 2005.
Profile Image for Kameron.
Author 13 books107 followers
November 17, 2021


I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.


Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by ​Dr. Rachel B. Wellner M.D teaches young children about nutrition as they solve the puzzling mystery - Who stole all the hot dogs and marshmallows and why?



Preschool children will love the characters, who have human jobs and wear human clothing. In our house, Terrence Toad stole the show. My daughter thought the drawing of him with his tongue out while he was thinking about hot dogs and marshmallows was funny.



What I liked about the story was the repetition. While there are several words I don't think young readers will be able to decipher, I think older and more experienced readers will have no trouble.



As for the mystery, it was fun guessing who we thought stole the "junk food." After the mystery was solved, we discussed what "junk food" and healthy foods we liked to eat. Surprise, surprise, my youngest said she would eat marshmallows over oatmeal for breakfast. Sorry, Louie the llama.



I don't want to spoil why the hot dogs and marshmallows were stolen; however, the reason gave us an idea of what to draw during art time. For dinner, we also decided to make hot dogs and s'mores. :D


(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)

1,575 reviews31 followers
December 10, 2021
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by Rachel B. Wellner is an adorable book for children, teaching them the importance of eating healthy food. Wellner uses a variety of animals to tell her story. Join the fun with Dr. Marsha the Kangaroo, Terence the Toad, Bobby the Billy Goat, Biff the Beaver and many more as they try to solve the mystery of the missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows that were to be used at the Forth of July celebration in the United States. 

What an amazing idea to use this cast of animal characters to teach the valuable lesson of making healthy choices and eating the right foods. Your children will love hearing this wonderful story over and over and enjoy looking at the fabulous illustrations on each page. Irina Dringova creates the most adorable animal characters for this amazing book. I enjoyed spending time looking through this book several times after reading it just to see the animals, they expressions and adorable faces throughout the book. With the vivid colors and sweet characters, Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by Rachel B. Wellner will quickly become one of any child’s favorite book. This will be a fantastic addition to any child’s library as well as in elementary classrooms and daycare’s everywhere. I encourage you to check out this adorable book for any children you may know. 

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Profile Image for Diana Berrent.
17 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2025
Missing hot dogs?!?? I'm here to solve the mystery folks! Don't worry... I'm on the case!

You'll never guess the culprit. It's Dr. Kangaroo herself!!!

Dr. Wellner tries to lure married strangers off of the Internet and seduce them in her dark dank apartment by feeding them... Franks and Beans!!!!

Major explosive flatulence ensues while any chance of romance sizzles. Men fly out the door at record speed while Dr. Wellner dishes out her culinary specialty.

True story: Marina City Towers had to be executed on multiple occasions due to the crude smells emanating from Dr. Wellner's special recipe.

Will Dr. Kangaroo learn her lesson? Will she ever learn to just order in? Not when Frankfurter flatulence is your kink ;)

I'm extra excited for the next book in the series: Dr. Kangaroo Explains Safe Sex.

Dr. Wellner has sex with married men she lures off of the Internet without sexual protection. This, boys and girls, is not a good idea. She also uses Vaseline as her lube of choice. Danger alert! But she's an expert on long lasting UTI's. Such genius all from one kangaroo doctor.

She's AMAZING. You know she also specializes in stand-up comedy and erotica! There's nothing she can't do.

True story: I heard from someone's whose Frankfurter she tried to munch on ... 0/10. Pro tip: Try sucking not chewing Rachel.

Also, franks and beans for a man you're trying to seduce? Terrible approach. Oh right. You're 49, forever single and your offspring are in the deep freezer. You're so desperate. But franks and beans are NOT your answer.

I'm here for you.

Your most devoted reviewer. XOXO

Profile Image for Stephanie Ward.
Author 7 books91 followers
Read
November 13, 2021
When all the marshmallows and hot dogs from a 4th of July cookout disappear, a kangaroo called Doctoroo (a.k.a. Dr. Marsha) and her friends must figure out who did it. From Australia to the U.S., the characters piece together the clues on their adventure as they visit various sites in Washington, D.C. to solve the crime.

With engaging rhymes and vibrant illustrations, the story is fun to read and visually appealing with lots of clues to find. Along the way, children learn about the importance of a balanced diet and that some foods -- like hot dogs and marshmallows -- should only be eaten as an occasional treat.

Through this book and the second book in the series, Doctoroo! & the Case of the Hacking Hippo (launched in October 2021), Dr. Wellner strives to teach children about health issues through mysteries that children can engage with and join the sleuths in gathering clues. Without being didactic or pushy, these lessons are educational while being entertaining and create an opportunity for discussions about medical issues that might otherwise feel forced. Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows is a gentle introduction to healthy habits that could be used in homes, libraries and classrooms alike.

I sincere thank you to the author for providing a review copy of the book.
Profile Image for Nicola Hancock.
553 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2021
The illustrations in this are so vivid and pop out at you from the moment you begin. I love the sound of the phone matching the kangaroo. Although I found the book didn’t make too much sense hopping to one thing to another it was extremely educational. I felt like it was a bit telling on what to and not to eat. It was cute how they all boarded the plane to Washington DC though.

The book made me extremely hungry with all the mention of food. It did start to slot into place eventually and I started understanding where the book was going. I don’t think it would grasp children’s attention very much depending on the age of the child of course.

I didn’t like the dig at vegetarians this is a life choice people make and shouldn’t be perceived as not okay. Okay the animals tried to justify it but I didn’t appreciate it. The imagination was cute making a log cabin out of the hotdogs and marshmallows whilst trying to figure out the mystery. It wasn’t a very mystery book to be completely honest. There wasn’t clues to follow. This could’ve been a lot more than it was.

I kept getting lost over what they were trying to accomplish bringing in a bit of medical knowledge occasionally. Overall the rhymes was the best part for me at the begging and the very end. I wasn’t thrilled with this as much as I was hoping to be.

Profile Image for Kidliomag .
1,490 reviews62 followers
February 18, 2022
Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner MD


Dr. Marsha and her crew live in Australia and teach healthy habits to the other animals in their town. Dr. Marsha turns into Doctoroo to help solve mysteries all over the world. One day, she receives a letter from her cousin, mayor of Washington, and asks her for help because all the marshmallows and hotdogs are missing after the 4th of July cookout and this makes children sad.
Then Dr. Marsha flies to Washington with her crew of animals to find out who stole all the marshmallows and hotdogs and why?
So get ready to solve this mystery with Dr. Marsha, the Kangaroo, Terence, the Toad, Louie, the Llama, who takes the reader on the journey to America and teaches children to eat healthy and nutritious food in a fun and interesting manner.
This book is beautiful inside out, and vibrant illustrations make this book an enjoyable read for children. This book explains the benefit of eating greens, fruits, and vegetables in detail and tells children to have junk food like hotdogs and marshmallows only for certain special occasions.
This story is all about fun, mystery, adventure, kindness, friendship and teaches so many valuable lessons along the way.
Perfect for 5+
Grab your copy from Amazon.

Profile Image for Angela Thompson.
472 reviews17 followers
December 1, 2021
Cute, Educational Story for Kids. The author adds in many educational tidbits of information for little ones as her Australian characters visit Washington D.C. in the U.S to help solve a 4th of July mystery. From learning a bit about animals to some U.S. history and nutrition--young readers are introduced to a lot of information in the book.

Fun Family Read-Along. While little ones will enjoy the colorful book and its fun characters and illustrations, the reading level and rhyme flow are probably more suited to older readers or used in a classroom or family storytime.

Would I Recommend Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by Dr. Rachel Wellner? This book is a cute story introducing children to mysteries, junk food vs. healthy food choices, and some quick facts about the U.S. and Australia--without seeming educational. It is an adorable addition to add to your 4th of July themed book collection--and it introduces readers to a preschool-friendly mystery series with Dr. Marsha.

I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
292 reviews7 followers
November 20, 2021
Dr.Marsha and the case of the missing Hot dogs.. is a humorous book with a message behind it. This reminds me of Dr.Seuss's books for rhyming and musical words.

There are many sentences with funny comparisons like Canada and Mexico are like the bread in a sandwich and the US is the filling.

I enjoyed reading the book and the conversations between Dr.Marsha and Terence Toad.

Dr.Marsha, Terence, and Louie have to travel to Washington to find the mystery of missing Hot dogs and marshmallows. The mysterious log cabin seen from the window seems to have some clue.

Atlast, they could solve the case and return to Australia while we learn more about the food pyramid and healthy snacks.

The story and characters are entertaining for 4 to 11-year-olds as well as give them an introduction of healthy foods to consume.

My Rating: 4/5

PS: I have received this book from iread book tours in exchange for an honest review and this is my personal opinion on the book.
Profile Image for Lisa's Reading.
298 reviews338 followers
November 30, 2021
When I first saw this book I was amazed at the extremely long title. But, children love long titles and other silliness. The cartoon characters in this story are adorable and their personalities come through in the artwork. Dr. Marsha is a no-nonsense medical doctor who happens to be a kangaroo. Her cousin is the mayor in Washington, DC and desperately needs her help. With the 4th of July picnics coming soon, there is a problem. The hotdogs and marshmallows have gone missing.

Dr. Marsha, Terence, and Louie all fly to the US to try and help the mayor find out what happened to the missing hot dogs and marshmallows. During the search, Dr. Marsha also teaches her friends about eating healthy food. Children will love this wacky adventure and will learn more about healthy food choices.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Gina Rae Mitchell.
1,468 reviews114 followers
November 16, 2021
A wonderful children’s book teaching the importance of healthy eating through a unique mystery story.

The author uses an entertaining mystery of missing hotdogs and marshmallows for the American Fourth of July celebration to teach young readers about making healthy food choices.

Several important topics are artfully presented giving adults the opportunity to open discussions on health, travel, homelessness, and even geography with young children.

I enjoyed the mention of it’s okay to indulge occasionally, as long as you maintain a healthy balance.

Children will fall in love with Dr. Marsha and her band of friends, begging to hear the tale over and over.

This unique book would make a wonderful gift for a young child or even a library.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books).
1,453 reviews119 followers
November 13, 2021
This was an interesting story. The characters are excited to travel to America to solve a mystery! They get to meet new friends on their adventure in Washington DC, and they learn some interesting facts!

The story is told through rhyme, which I always enjoy in kid’s books. The plot takes the characters on a mission to solve the case of the mission hot dogs and missing marshmallows, but they also get to learn about healthy food choices as well! Overall, this was a good story with a really fun resolution that my daughter loved!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jody .
1,218 reviews264 followers
October 18, 2021
The illustrations and tale are both fantastic. Dr. Marsha, the primary character, is a kangaroo who speaks about various health issues and advises the other animals. It is both educational and amusing for kids. This story will delight both children and adults.

I would like to thank the author & publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Profile Image for C.E. Hart.
Author 7 books43 followers
December 7, 2021
I love children's books. And I enjoy instilling a love of reading in the children in my life. But this book feels very disjointed. It covers too much information for a child to be entertained. I understand its purpose is educational as well, but it still must be fun. I found it confusing and too complex to follow. The illustrations are colorful and interesting, but the storyline just jumps around too much for me.

Profile Image for Virginia Winfield.
3,008 reviews18 followers
December 2, 2021
This is a fun way to learn about the food pyramid. These animals led by Dr. Marsha help to solve a mystery about missing foods. The illustrations are great and the story is fun. This is informative and fun. Parents will enjoy reading this story to their little ones. I received a copy of this book from ireadbooktour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
1,146 reviews33 followers
December 4, 2021
A cute book with gorgeous illustrations. Children will enjoy the mystery behind the missing hot dogs and marshmallows. absolutely love it. Dr. Marsha, an Australian-based kangaroo, and her “staff” are asked to come to USA to assist in this strange case. The various characters’ alliterative names are very catchy. The story will teach children in a fun way about healthful eating.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,571 reviews21 followers
November 17, 2021
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

This is a cute book featuring Dr. Marsha who is a kangaroo. She and her helpers, Terence and Louie, go with her to Washington D.C. all the way from Australia to help solve a mystery.

Although they’re looking for missing hot dogs and marshmallows, it is mentioned that those are junk food and that eating healthy is the way to go. Eating healthy is mentioned several times, but it’s not the sole focus of the story. Solving the mystery is! Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows is a cute story with adorable and colorful illustrations. Young children will definitely enjoy it!
6,249 reviews
October 25, 2021
Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows is a wonderful book for young readers by Dr Rachel Wellner MD. It has a fun and entertaining way of showing a cute story and, also, helping young ones learn to have good healthy eating habits. thought it was a fun and entertaining read. I liked there was a traveling adventure in addition to it.

Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows is illustrated by the talents of Irina Dringova. The pictures perfectly follow the story and so vibrant and colorful that hard not to capture one’s eye. The younger readers will be captivated and be able to hold their attention and continue reading to find out what happens all the way to the end.

Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows is getting a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for young readers who are between the ages of four and nine. I look forward to reading more books like this from Dr Rachel Wellner MD in the future. This would make a great gift and a wonderful addition to the local or school library and even in a little ones’ classroom for story time.

I received a paperback copy of Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for The Page Ladies Book Club.
2,542 reviews148 followers
November 15, 2021
This was actually a really cute read! The story is told through rhymes & colorful illustrations! The younger kids will enjoy reading & finding the clues to solve the mystery! But as a parent they learn a little more about balancing the goodies with the stuff that's good for them! Overall a good addition to any family's library! Happy reading everyone!
Profile Image for Misty.
498 reviews240 followers
December 8, 2021
Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows by Rachel B. Wellner was a very cute kids book with adorable pictures. The story line was easy to follow for young readers/listeners. The book also served to make the readers/listeners think and engage with the content.

Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews