• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

Scout and Daisy are going for a winter hike. On their way to the valley, Daisy notices the snowman friend she built the day before is smaller. Why is her friend shrinking? Join Scout and Daisy as they find clues to solve the Case of the Shrinking Friend.

About THE GUMBOOT KIDS SERIES

CBC Books, Best Books of the Year -- Canadian Picture Books

"A most charming and instructive collection of nature mystery books which encourages children to head outside and discover their natural world." -- Children's Book News

A celebration of nature, curiosity, discovery and mindfulness!

Adapted from the award-winning TV show Scout and the Gumboot Kids, this outstanding series of nature mystery books celebrates the joy and wonder of mindfully exploring the natural world.

Perfect for inquisitive young minds, The Gumboot Kids' nature mysteries feature beloved characters, Scout and Daisy, working through a series of clues in order to crack the case. In each mystery Scout and Daisy confirm their findings with a trip to the library where they verify the evidence they've gathered in nature and solve the mystery before having a mindful moment to reflect on their journey.

With beautifully rendered and painstakingly detailed art, Scout and Daisy's adventures are a visual feast that will have kids poring over the pages time and time again.

Each book concludes with two pages of field notes on the mystery subject, as well as a nature craft inspired by the mystery, for kids to try at home.

Praise for previous titles in the series:

"The felted wool mice and their miniature world are adorable and will invite children to savor the tiny details. Charming and informative picture books that will help young children discover nature." -- School Library Journal

Eric Hogan's profile page

Tara Hungerford's profile page

Eric Hogan and Tara Hungerford are a husband-and-wife team who run Imagine Create Media and are the creators of Gumboot Kids. They live and create with their two children in Vancouver, British Columbia.

This is the perfect book for a snow day story.

Ottawa Mommy Club Blog

I loved the way they logically looked at what was happening and why. I liked seeing the friendship come through in the text and photographs. The ending was just fun. My four-year-old daughter liked the snow mouse. She adored this book... I am excited to see a whole series of these books.

Seattle Book Review

The Case of the Shrinking Friend is a cleverly created science adventure book for young readers. Based on the Canadian TV series, Scout and the Gumboot Kids, this book's heroes, Scout and Daisy, will be familiar to many young readers already. Although aimed at pre-school age children, the two anthropomorphized felted mice will be endearing to primary age students as well. The intricate backdrops for every page of the story are filled with details that will delight the curious as they follow Scout and Daisy on their quest to solve the mystery of the shrinking friend. The Case of the Shrinking Friend will encourage young readers to be curious and creative about the natural world. The storyline is very gentle and reassuring, and models learning while actively exploring nature. Highly Recommended.

Canadian Review of Materials

Children will enjoy joining Daisy and Scout on this mystery where they will learn about snow. The "Field Notes" at the back of the book provides interesting facts about snow and snowflakes and there is also a fun "Nature Craft" kids can make.

Toronto.com