Detective Beans is the first full-colour graphic novel of New Zealand-based comics creator Li Chen. Detective Beans is a kitten and a detective, so when his crucially important hat goes missing, he immediately commences an investigation. The hat always seems to be a step ahead of Beans and we are led on a trail all around town from an ice cream shop to a magic show, jazz club and even a community garden. A quick pace is set from the get go and the book follows a zigzag of surprise turns and encounters with so many interesting people from the town. It’s genuinely sweet and funny; each page delivers many smiles and the art is both accomplished and extraordinarily cute. This is the sort of book that appeals to readers of all ages and I hope it is only the beginning for Detective Beans because this is truly delightful fun! For ages 7+.