Down in the Dumps #1: The Mystery Box

The Secret Life of Pets meets The Bad Guys in DOWN IN THE DUMPS, an all-new, highly illustrated early chapter book series about three unlikely friends--a rotten banana, a broken tea pot, and a crusty blob of gum--and their adventures together in the local town landfill.

To Nana, there isn't a better, more beautiful home for a mushy, moldy banana than the Westerfield Waste Transfer & Recycling Center! Nana loves living at the dump! She welcomes every new piece of trash with a hardy hug and happy hello.

And in The Mystery Box, the first adventure in the Down in the Dumps series, when a Teddy Tedd Ted doll still perfectly wrapped in his gift box arrives, Nana realizes that not everyone is ready to be thrown away. Will Nana and her friends be able to use teamwork and problem solving to navigate the many dangers of the dump to help Teddy Tedd Ted find his way home?

The Mystery Box is the first book in the Down in the Dumps series from beloved author-illustrator Wes Hargis. This funny kids book will have even the most reluctant readers taking out the trash for more adventures!

HarperChapters build confident readers one chapter at a time! With short, fast-paced books, art on every page, and milestone markers at the end of every chapter, they're the perfect next step for fans of I Can Read!

What happens when three pieces of trash decide to become heroes?

• Found Family: Meet Nana the banana, Ms. Kettle the teapot, and Moreland the blob of goo--a loyal crew who prove home is where your best friends are, even if it's a dump.
• Heartfelt Quest: When a brand-new teddy bear gets tossed out by mistake, it's up to this trio of trash to guide him on a dangerous journey back to his owner.
• Quirky Characters: From the Mungle Brothers, the meanest roaches around, to the giant Dozer of Doom, the landfill is full of strange inhabitants to outsmart.
• Humorous Chapter Book: With laugh-out-loud moments and charming illustrations by author Wes Hargis, this story is perfect for fans of The Bad Guys and The Secret Life of Pets.