Richard Scarry's Great Steamboat Mystery
By Richard Scarry
The Story
Two Busytown detectives, a cat and a pig, attend a fancy wedding party aboard a steamboat — but when a jewel thief strikes, they must abandon their cake to crack the case.
Why It's Special
For the kid who loves hunting for clues on every page, this turns bedtime into a search-and-solve mission alongside Busytown's finest detectives.
- Big idea: Curiosity and careful looking solve problems — paying attention matters, even when cake is calling.
- Vibes: Busy, funny, and full of things to spot in Richard Scarry's crowded, cheerful world.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy searching for hidden clues on the page
- like to play detective and solve mysteries
- love Richard Scarry's busy, detailed illustrations
- are working on paying close attention to small details
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What clues do you think Sam Cat and Dudley Pig looked for to find the jewel thief?
- Imagination: If you were a detective on the steamboat, what would you look for first?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had to stop having fun to help solve a problem?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Sam Cat and Dudley Pig felt when they had to leave the cake behind?
- Picture exploration: Can you find the jewel thief hiding somewhere on the steamboat pages?












