Clovis Suspects a Sneak

With winter in full swing, Clovis’s shop has never been cozier, and Clovis never calmer. Holiday decor, mugs of Earl Grey tea, and batches of his granny’s caramel recipe put him in a cheery mood with not a flurry of his temper in sight.

Though his bullying days are over, Clovis is still working on trust, and as things disappear from his shop, he can’t help but suspect those closest to him. Soon, he’s hovering over regular customers, accusing his best friends, and even questioning his cat! His mounting mistrust drives everyone away and leaves Clovis feeling like a cold, soggy teabag that no kettle could warm.

Desperate to crack the case, he again takes inspiration from Granny, stirring up a sweet setup to catch the culprit. But when the mystery of the missing items is not what it seems, can Clovis keep his cool and warm his heart enough to restore peace to his shop? After all, he’s a bull, not a bully.

Ready to be read aloud on frosty winter days or at any time of year, this heartwarming tale is a perfect reminder to trust in friends and be gentle and generous even in tough moments.

Katelyn Aronson grew up in Southern California and once worked in the coziest of shops (much like Clovis’s) where she hung decor and swept up glitter. Today, she lives in an old farmhouse in France and works as a bilingual language instructor in Switzerland. She is the author of the Piglette books and When PB Met J (Penguin Random House), Poo-Dunnit? (Candlewick), and Clovis Keeps His Cool (Page Street Kids). She is always dreaming up new stories.

Benji Williams is an illustrator living in Georgia. He graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design’s illustration program in 2006. In addition to kids books, he has worked for years in the animation world as a storyboard artist and designer, including as a storyboard artist on Nickelodeon’s Spongebob. When he isn’t drawing or painting, he’s usually chasing after his two young kids Henry and Mattie with his wife Ashley.