No more than a glance at social media is needed to discern that critical thinking is at a premium. With so many millions of us proving to be dangerously susceptible to misinformation and disinformation of all kinds, it becomes more important than ever to instill critical thinking skills wherever possible. JIBBERJACK, FIBBERJACK is a book designed to stimulate young readers to think logically, and author Stefanie Gamarra does a sterling job of entertaining her audience with a delightful whodunit story.

The Jibberjack is a monster whose loud snores and proclivity for trampling people’s flowers terrorizes the inhabitants of Rumorridge. Before long, budding young detective Frida is on the case. But when she discovers a series of clues that suggest the Jibberjack is altogether more ordinary than the panicking townspeople imagine it to be, no one listens to her—especially not Mayor Tazzleworm, whose attitude towards the monster invites some searching questions.

The story is straightforward enough, but, for the young reader, there are some subtle additional challenges here. Frida uses deductive reasoning to conclude the mayor is up to no good, and channels Sherlock Holmes (she has a picture of him on her bedroom wall) to solve the mystery. Illustrator Marta Pilosio offers quirky, deft depictions of town and the Jibberjack (such as it is) that are both lively and helpful in developing the story. The work concludes with tips for becoming a “Truth Detective,” which instruct the young reader in the basics of what is today called information hygiene. In other words, checking the facts as they are reported to you, and applying that to logic in order to understand people’s motives when they say what they say.

This is timely. While the framing clearly places JIBBERJACK, FIBBERJACK in the realms of make-believe, the underlying principles are absolutely integral to anyone’s understanding of the world around them. In a culture where lies are easily spread at the click of a button, teaching children the importance of exercising basic common sense when it comes to navigating the maelstrom is crucial. JIBBERJACK, FIBBERJACK represents a small but thoroughly welcome contribution to that effort.

Stefanie Gamarra's JIBBERJACK, FIBBERJACK is a delightful and timely story for early to intermediate readers that entertains and instructs in the basics of critical thinking.

~ Craig Jones for IndieReader