Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin

Scholastic Press, 192 pages, $16.99

It’s never too soon to steer readers on a mystery reading course. Although “Baby Monkey, Private Eye” is suggested for 4-8 year olds, I know for a fact that it has a much wider appeal.

There are words. There are fabulous pictures. And in each case, I did not guess the identity of the criminal.

I declare “Baby Monkey” a success.