Picture

Q: "How many books are in the Picture series?"

"There are four books in the Picture series, published between 2005 and 2021."

Q: "What is the first book in the Picture series?"

"The first book in the Picture series is Charlie Wonder--Chef-Detective, published in 2005."

Q: "What age group are Shirley Russak Wachtel's picture books aimed at?"

"Her picture books are suited for early readers and younger children, roughly ages four through eight. The Charlie Wonder and Brad Sureshot books have a light mystery element that works well for read-alouds, while Zoey and the Purple Elephant and Where is Emmy? are gentler stories for preschool and early elementary readers."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Charlie Wonder–Chef-Detective	2005	Shirley Russak Wachtel	Buy
2	Brad Sureshot–Coach-Detective	2007	Shirley Russak Wachtel	Buy
3	Zoey and the Purple Elephant	2015	Shirley Russak Wachtel	Buy
4	Where is Emmy?	2021	Shirley Russak Wachtel	Buy

Shirley Russak Wachtel’s picture books show a playful side of her authorship that sits alongside her more serious literary fiction and memoir writing. The Charlie Wonder and Brad Sureshot books blend kid-friendly mysteries with everyday settings, giving young readers characters who observe closely and solve problems with curiosity and energy.

Zoey and the Purple Elephant, published a decade after her debut picture books, brought her a new generation of young readers with a warmer, more whimsical tone. Where is Emmy?, published in 2021, follows a similar path, offering a story built around connection and the comfort of familiar relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Picture series?

There are four books in the Picture series, published between 2005 and 2021.

What is the first book in the Picture series?

The first book in the Picture series is Charlie Wonder–Chef-Detective, published in 2005.

What age group are Shirley Russak Wachtel's picture books aimed at?

Her picture books are suited for early readers and younger children, roughly ages four through eight. The Charlie Wonder and Brad Sureshot books have a light mystery element that works well for read-alouds, while Zoey and the Purple Elephant and Where is Emmy? are gentler stories for preschool and early elementary readers.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order