“But it didn’t work,” said Mack. “Because I’m Mack Rhino, Private Eye. For cases sweet or stinky, I’m your guy. Or… rhino.”
Another case closed.
Well, it was almost closed.
Ant Trap
Everyone gathered at Number 21 Beach Street to celebrate.
Mack studied the crowd. There were the usual faces—Surfer Jo, Lifeguard Sally, and the Juggling Jenkins Twins.
Daisy brought flowers. Terry brought Banana Supremes.
And Mack finally got one of Queenie’s famous cupcakes. She brought a whole picnic basket full of them.
Jackie Rabbit arrived at the office with a very large box. On the outside it said FIFI’S FINE FURNITURE.
“This is for you,” she said to Mack.
“For me?” said Mack.
“Of course,” said Jackie. “I don’t expect you to work for free.”
Mack opened the box.
“A rhino-proof chair!” he said. “How did you ever know?”
Jackie Rabbit smiled at Redd and said, “A little birdie told me.”
“Well, it’s been quite a day,” said Mack. He took out his notebook and reviewed his list.
Blinds √
Sleeves √
Chocolate milk √
Get a rhino-proof chair. √
Track down that envelope. √
Pick up flowers for Queenie. √
Let Skunks McGee smell the roses. √
“There’s only one thing left to do,” said Mack.
He added this to his list:
Set an ant trap.
Mack and Redd borrowed Queenie’s picnic basket. There were still a few cupcakes left.
Then they set the basket outside Number 21 Beach Street… and waited.
It didn’t take long for the Ant Hill Gang to show up. The ants came marching one by one. They just couldn’t resist Queenie’s cupcakes.
Silly ants!
And Mack Rhino, Private Eye, could finally shut the lid on Case #100—The Big Race Lace Case.
“There’s just one thing I don’t get,” said Redd. “Whatever happened to all those shoelaces?”
Word List
bouquet (boo·KAY):
A bunch of flowers tied together
catnap (CAT·NAP):
A short rest
compete (cum·PEET):
Try to win or get something
evidence (EH·vi·dense):
An item that proves something is true
hobbled (HAH·buld):
Walking with difficulty
humdinger (hum·DING·er):
Something exciting or special
jotted (JAH·ted):
Wrote quickly
lumbered (LUM·bird):
Moved slowly and clumsily
prank (PRANK):
A trick or practical joke
restless (REST·less):
Uneasy or not at rest
reviewed (ree·VYOOD):
Studied or looked over carefully
ruffled (RUH·fuld):
Made a mess of; upset
shoo-in (SHOO·in):
Certain to win
shuffled (SHUH·fuld):
Took short steps and dragged one’s feet
skunk cabbage (SKUNK CA·bidge):
A plant that has a strong smell like a skunk
snaked (SNAYKD):
Followed a curved or twisting path
untangle (un·TANG·gul):
Untwist or solve
victory wreaths (VICK·tor·ee REETHS):
Flowers in the shape of a circle used as a trophy or prize
Questions
At the beginning of the story, Mack gets a strange phone call. Who is the mystery caller?
How does Skunks McGee plan to win the Big Race?
Why is Jackie Rabbit’s victory wreath made out of skunk cabbage?
How do Mack and Redd finally trap the Ant Hill Gang?
Mack Rhino uses a notebook to record his thoughts and ideas. Do you use a notebook or journal? What kinds of notes do you write in it?
More from this Series
The Candy Caper Case
Artemis & the Awesome…
Rockin' Rockets
The Birthday Castle
More from the Authors
Whooooo Done It?
Bright Lights, Big…
About the Authors
PAUL DUBOIS JACOBS & JENNIFER SWENDER are the coauthors of many picture books, including My Subway Ride and Fire Drill, as well as the Animal Inn chapter book series. Jennifer’s middlegrade novel Solving for M is a Junior Library Guild selection and forthcoming audiobook. Paul has also written four books with musician Pete Seeger, including Abiyoyo Returns and The Deaf Musicians, winner of the ALA’s Schneider Family Book Award. Paul and Jennifer live in Massachusetts surrounded by squirrels, bunnies, owls, wild turkeys, foxes, and deer. But so far, no rhinos. Please visit them at JacobsAndSwender.com.
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ALADDIN QUIX
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This Aladdin QUIX paperback edition January 2020
Text copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Swender and Paul DuBois Jacobs
Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Karl West
Also available in an Aladdin QUIX hardcover edition.
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Book designed by Tiara Iandiorio
Cover designed by Tiara Iandiorio
Cover illustration copyright © 2020 by Karl West
The illustrations for this book were rendered digitally.
Library of Congress Control Number 2019936830
ISBN 978-1-5344-4113-2 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-5344-4112-5 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-5344-4114-9 (eBook)
The Big Race Lace Case Page 2