"The Case of the Pinched Stradivarius" by Elaine Loeser and illustrated by Greg Arvanitakis is an engaging and fun mystery book for young readers. Set in the bustling city of New York, the story follows the adventures of young detectives Max and Annie as they set out to solve the mystery of a stolen Stradivarius violin. Loeser's storytelling is captivating, weaving together clues and twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. Arvanitakis' illustrations bring the characters and setting to life, adding depth and visual appeal to the narrative. With its intriguing plot and charming characters, "The Case of the Pinched Stradivarius" is sure to entertain and inspire young sleuths everywhere.

This cute children's book follows the tale of two inspiring and curious turtles in New York (based on real turtles). They live in their aquarium on the windowsill, so are able to see the world around them. They are really smart turtles, who discover they can talk to the dogs if they remain under water. One day they witnessed the robbery of a very special violin, a Stradivarius, from a young girl. They try to let their mom and the dogs know what happened and where it is now. They finally get the message across and the dogs save the violin. Of course they get all the credit and the turtles are left swimming around their tank.

This was a well written children's book that is engaging and full of humor. You can't help laugh at Miles and Fargo and their antics with each other. The same goes for their furry siblings, who do not seem to be the brightest dogs out there. The illustrations helped to bring the story to life. What I liked the most was that in front of each sentence had a picture of the character who was speaking, it helped to make us feel as though we were a part of the story. This was a very different format, but for young children it helps them know who is speaking. This is a great story from start to finish that all children will enjoy, especially animal lovers. A great mystery for younger readers.

First off, I did not like this book at all. I found it to be very boring. The pictures were very interesting either.

This is a cute book about a couple of turtles who witness a crime. Since they are unable to solve it, they ask their dog friends for help. The story is cute and children will love it! The illustrations are very lifelike and colorful. I look forward to reading more adventures with Miles and Fargo.

Unfortunately, I did not get very far into “The Pinched Stradivarius.” I wasn’t a fan of the dialogue formatting - the little pictures of the speaker did not work for me.

I like the idea behind this book, but I think the execution needs some work. Two turtles in their terrarium help solve the case of the stolen Stradivarius by getting some help from the dogs. It’s not written in story form. It’s a mix of play and graphic novel. The book is entirely dialog. For most of it, there is a picture to tell the reader who is talking, unless there is a speech bubble. This would be cute as an elementary school play, but doesn't cut it as a picture book.

I just didn’t enjoy the style of the book. It was a nice concept but I didn’t think th execution was there. I got bored very early.

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