Mystery on the Docks

by Thacher Hurd, John Beach (Narrator)

Ralph, a short order cook, rescues a kidnapped opera singer from Big Al and his gang of nasty rats.

Genres: Picture Books, Mystery, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Thacher grew up in a family of children's book artists, and after attending the California College of Arts and Crafts, he began to turn his talent to picture books. He is the award-winning author of Mama Don't Allow, Art Dog, and most recently Moo Cow Kaboom! He has also written two board books, Cat's Pajamas and Zoom City. Thacher and his wife, Olivia, live in Berkeley, California.

from Author Page

Reviews

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Mystery on the Docks” is another classic book from Thacher Hurd about how a short order cook named Ralph tries to stop Big Al and his gang of rats from kidnapping a famous opera star. “Mystery on the Docks” is a great book full of mystery that children will enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Thacher Hurd’s illustrations are colorful and creative just like in his previous book “Mama Don’t Allow,” especially as he contrasts Ralph’s diner, a colorful and peaceful place, from Big Al’s ship which looks dreary, dark and intimidating. Thacher Hurd’s writing makes the story be full of excitement and drama, especially during the scenes where Ralph tries to make his escape from Big Al’s gang.

“Mystery on the Docks” is a great book full of mystery and drama that many mystery fans will enjoy for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the action scenes might worry smaller children.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dramatic and exciting adventure for kids. The story is interesting and the illustrations are simple, but expressive. We enjoyed reading this story together.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was fun! My nephew chose this from the library, and it had all kinds of action and adventure, crime and justice, bad guys vs. good guys going on. He really seemed to like the thrills here, and for me, there was something about the pictures, or the use of color and light and shade that I just found really interesting, especially in the first half of the book. The boy chose a good one!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more mysteries for little kids like this. My Kindergarten book club loves this book every year. It’s got some fun vocabulary to introduce (pier, short order cook, opera, foghorn) and a great plot.

[Alex1]

On pier 46 Ralph was washing his hands. He wanted to play the accordion. He wanted to play a song:” with shining stars in the sky”. The night was quite. He heard the dark ship drop its engines. Two rats hapt out. Fish and fries snappt the taller rat. Right -o side Ralph!

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was okay. Not the best children's mystery book but not the worst either. This might be the ideal pick for a child is just dipping their toes in the genre or for parents who want their kids to read mysteries without too much violence or bad scenes.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow discussion Sept. 2024 in Children's Books group. Didn't do much for me. I'd've appreciated just a bit about how Ralph had to forego other optional expenses in order to attend the opera, and that Eduardo rewarded Ralph for rescuing him with free admission for life.

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Red 3rd

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated by Symphony (age 4)*

[Brooke June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery on the Docks is about a rat named Ralph who works at a diner and loves the singer Eduardo The night seems suspicious so the rat looks outside and sees two rats boarding a dark ship. They are carrying a bag so Ralph follows them. The mean rats catch him and aboard him as well. The bag they were carrying had Eduardo in it! Ralph and Eduardo try to escape but the rats had already let the boat go from the doc. They decide to send flares and sing so that the police would hear them. The police did hear them and saved Eduardo and Ralph. A newspaper posted that Ralph was a hero and his favorite singer gave him front row seats to his concert! They hung out after at Ralphs diner as well.

This book is reading level K and is for grade K-2. It also has a Lexile level of 350L. The author Thacher Hurd has won the Boston Globe Horn Book Award and was a best seller in the New York Times and twice featured reading rainbow author.

This book is similar to the book Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage. These books are similar because both of the main characters are chefs at a small diner and each book is a mystery. Both of the stories tell a story about someone being kidnapped but although resolved at the end after following the "lead" in the story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this book is a little older and a quick story in such a short number of pages, I think it establishes the true mystery genre well for younger readers. The hypothetical questions train the mind of a future mystery reader, while the occasional big words are a great opportunity for vocabulary expansion in the genre.

[Janet C-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a top- notch book. The story was engaging with a touch of intrigue. I read this with Megan, beginner reader. It is a book I would choose to read with another child or group. 5 stars!

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Reading Rainbow book. I don't remember much about it besides the what you can tell from the illustrations.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little book.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ralph, the opera-loving short order cook at the diner on Pier 46, helps to save his favorite singer from the clutches of tough rat kidnappers. ‘Brisk, entertaining melodrama.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two pages are sheer poetry - my daughter and I read this till we memorized it. Brings back absolutely wonderful sweet memories.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

a smashing good mystery

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the art first off. A good little story with adventure and mystery!

[Heather]

BL: 2.4 - AR Pts: 0.5