Welcome to Penny and Rio MysteriesEdit

www.pennyandrio.comEdit

The crime-fighting dog duo of Penny and Rio are on the case! Penny, the highly inquisitive aspiring detective is the leader of the two. While Rio is her sleepy, somewhat lazy sister dog who just wants to lie in the sun to get a tan. But when the two pair up, mysteries get solved.

In their first award-winning adventure, Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting, Penny and Rio must discover why an unlikely group of animals is having a secret meeting in their backyard. Through an ingenious plan, they uncover their evil plot. But can they stop it in time? The surprise ending will challenge children to see that not all things are as they appear.

Their second case, Penny and Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery centers around a small scared mouse named Squeaky who needs Penny's help to collect his precious belongings from a locked doghouse. The lovable and gigantic Hobbes, the Great Dane, lumbers along with Penny and Rio to solve this mystery. But can they open the doghouse in time? What exactly does Squeaky have hidden inside? Through this enchanting mystery Penny and Rio learn that they can do anything, as long as they stick together.

These books are for early readers, ages 6-10 years. They would also be perfect for reading aloud to younger children.

AwardsEdit

Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting Edit

• 2009 Mom's Choice Award
• 2009 The Dove Foundation's Family Approved Seal
• 2009 Children's Book Council Bibliographies
• 2008 Royal Palm Literary Award Winner

Penny and Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery Edit

• 2009 Mom's Choice Award
• 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award Finalist
• 2010 The Dove Foundation's "Family-Approved" Seal
• 2010 Children's Book Council Bibliographies

Reader ReviewsEdit

Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting: Go on this first adventure with Penny and Rio. This charming story will become a favorite to any child, especially those with pets. With wonderfully illustrated pictures of this duo's adventure, it is a great book to encourage reading. Children will enjoy following this mystery as the two dogs discover the true reason for the meeting. Dove awards the Dove "Family-Approved" Seal for all ages to this wonderful book. --- The Dove Foundation, Dove.org

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting is a softcover children's book featuring two canine friends who are diametric opposites. Penny is curious and adventurous, while her sister Rio likes to sleep most of the day. When Penny discovers that a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel, and an owl are using her backyard as a meeting place, she is determined to learn more about what is going on - while Rio is convinced that sleep is [?] young people who are almost ready to graduate to chapter books, and an important underlying theme - that one should be responsible for one's current pets and not abandon them to the city pound for a new pet - is also present in the cat's tale. Highly recommended, especially for young dog lovers. --- The Midwest Book Review

Penny and Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery is very much a book about family values. It is sometimes a real challenge to teach youngsters complex concepts, but Jennifer Swanson certainly seems to have the skills. This second book confirms my theory that this author has a very illustrious career ahead of her. Many people think of children’s books as being easy to write, that is a fallacy, children’s books are notoriously difficult to do well. On a technical note, the book is printed in a nice friendly font, I am guessing Ariel and the point size is ideal for the beginning reader. This is a book that young people will get hours of enjoyment from, and parents will appreciate the educational value. --- Simon Barrett, Blogger News Network

Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery is an entertaining and educational children's book. Written by Jennifer Swanson and illustrated by Swapan Debnath. Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery is a book any child will enjoy reading or having read to them over and over again. The importance of family is illustrated in a fun and entertaining way. Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery is a well-written and beautifully illustrated children's book that any child will cherish. --- Connie Harris, TCM Reviews

These cute books are great for kids who are ready for short chapter books. With a little mystery mixed together with its colorful illustrations, you may find your readers wishing to finish these books in one sitting! Dog lover or not your child will enjoy the canine antics and parents will smile when they read for themselves what a dog really means when he whines and scratches at the door. And, it's nice to have a story that is as wholesome as these are: the books are dove family approved.  --- Kathy Davis,  Homeschoolbuzz.com

If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs are very funny. This story gives kids a pets point of view as to what makes them bark and take a lot of naps.This 5 chapter book is an enjoyable quick read. Penny is a very active dog. She likes to dig and play in the back yard. She often finds herself locked in the garage when she barks so much her owner wakes up. Rio, on the other hand is a nap taker. She would prefer to lounge around and have Penny keep her abreast on the yard activities.

The mysterious backyard meeting begins when Penny over hears a squirrel, owl and cat discussing a break in to the neighbors house. Penny is compelled to stop them but needs help from Rio. But that takes some convincing. They dig up the yard under a piece of broken fence to get to the neighbors house. Once inside Penny helps save the day. Mystery solved. � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � -- Kristi Bernard, The National Writing Center for Children

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