CLARA'S STORYBOARD DRAWER

Dewey's Illustrated Case Files

Four panels. One problem. You decide which clue matters. Dewey knows how to help other families, but what happens when he has to become his own client? These stick-figure storyboards retell documented book events. Panel captions are paraphrases, not quotations from the novels. Each case identifies its source facts and book pages.

FILE 01 • PARENT PROBLEM SOLVER

The problem solver becomes the client

Panel 1 • The officeKids have parent problems.

Dewey has built a business around helping them.

Panel 2 • The case loadA possible move to Alaska.

Dewey fears losing his friends, school, and secret office.

Panel 3 • A reversalClara turns the tables.

She makes Dewey complete the client form he usually gives everyone else.

Panel 4 • The questionWhat does his dad really want?

Family history reveals Don's abandoned childhood dream of teaching math.

Source: Parent Problem Solver, case DF-P-CASE-ALASKA-DON; facts DF-P-FACT-019, 022, 040, 041, 052, 055, 057, 080–082. Captions paraphrased.

What would you do first?

OPEN THE PARENT CASE FILE →

FILE 02 • TEACHER PROBLEM SOLVER

The shark lesson that went too far

Panel 1 • The classroomSharks. Again.

Mr. Snow's shark-centered lessons leave Bailey and classmates afraid of water.

Panel 2 • The consequenceNow water feels scary.

Learning about danger has left a student afraid.

Panel 3 • The researchMore facts aren't enough.

Understanding a fear and overcoming it are different problems.

Panel 4 • The experimentCould a safer experience help?

Mr. Snow eventually changes the lessons to include observation and snorkeling with harmless leopard sharks.

Source: Teacher Problem Solver, case DF-T-CASE-BAILEY-SNOW; facts DF-T-FACT-241, 259, 333–337, 366–368. Captions paraphrased.

Which clue matters most?

INVESTIGATE THE SHARK FILE →

FILE 03 • TEACHER PROBLEM SOLVER

The case of the disappearing vending machines

Panel 1 • School policyThe vending machines are gone.

And the rules about supplies are getting stricter.

Panel 2 • Student reactionThat doesn't seem fair.

Dewey and friends begin questioning the decisions.

Panel 3 • InvestigationWhat was the school trying to solve?

Research complicates the first version of the story.

Panel 4 • A better proposalCan students help write the solution?

Principal Mayoral accepts proposals for conservation and student participation, but assigns detention for unauthorized campus access.

Source: Teacher Problem Solver, case DF-T-CASE-SCHOOL-CONSERVATION; facts DF-T-FACT-249, 251, 253, 499, 504–507. Captions paraphrased.

Where would you begin?

OPEN THE SCHOOL POLICY FILE →

CLARA'S NOTE

Four panels are just the beginning.

For the complete stories, visit the books. For another case, try the twelve-month reading challenge.

START THE READING CHALLENGE →MEET ALL THREE BOOKS →