Jellybean is a serious kitten. Everything he does in life is based on his future as a detective. In fact, even as only a kitten he has already solved his first mystery. But one morning after hanging out with his bestie Biscuit the night before, Jellybean’s hat has vanished. This isn’t just any hat. It’s his prized sleuthing hat, making him the professional detective (he thinks he is.)

He is already on a case of the Mystery Note Giver, but after ruling out himself, his friend Biscuit and his mum, he has to go to plan b. But now his hat has disappeared, he must put the M.N.G case aside for the moment.

His first interview is with the bird in the tree outside. She explained that his hat must have blown out of the window, and she traded it for a flat screen TV from two kittens – this is where Jellybean’s search for his missing hat begins.

A magician, a rubbish bin, and a farmer’s field. An ice cream, a jazz singer and a celebrity curios store. A fishmonger, restaurant and hanglider pilot too. All these are part of Jellybean’s quest to find his hat. He ends up in the town Mewseum, then after a wanted cat burglar! But will he ever get his hat back and be home in time for tea?

This brightly coloured graphic novel is set in a land of felines. Jellybean is the star of the story and his own mind, as he aspires to be a top notch detective, just like in his favourite movies. But just as he needs the right detective lingo, he needs to look the part. Losing his special detective hat pushes all his other cases aside as he follow the clues to track it down.

The hat ends up in a multitude of hands (and heads), and there is much to smile at in between. There is magic, terrible ice cream flavours and Jellybean’s imagination talking back to him as he tries to solve the mystery. With a variety of spreads and easy to read font, this is perfect for keeping young readers turning the pages.

An entertaining caper of cats, mystery, magic, music and mayhem – all taking their turn with a hat that belongs to a kitten called Jellybean.

Author / Illustrator – Li Chen

Graphic Novel

Age – 7+

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(2024, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Aust, Cats, Kittens, Animals, Graphic Novel, Humour, Funny, Detective, Missing Hat, Mystery, Ice cream shop, Magician, Mewseum, Crime, Police, Diamond Thief, Action, Case, NZ Author & Illustrator)