Why is this not more popular? ?áToo absurd? ?áA sentient, talking, red&white striped horse is a detective. ?áHis first independent assignment is to discreetly find out what's happening to the gate receipts from the safe each night. ?áHis investigative strategy is to join the circus, apprenticing to each act long enough to get to know the various trainers to decide whether they're suspects. ?áThe ending is a happy one all around.

I don't think readers could possibly figure out the mystery; it's not that kind of story. ?áDoes that make it less appealing? ?áDoes the fact that it's fairly long, fairly complex, but also heavily illustrated with pix that could appeal to preschoolers, mean that it has trouble finding an audience? ?áI don't know. ?áI just know I really liked it, and I think many of you will, too. ?áI especially recommend it to families who can share it by reading aloud. ( )