Big changes are coming to one of the most beloved series from Big Dawg Books LLC.

The Sadie May Files are being completely remade—one mystery at a time—with updated stories, richer illustrations, stronger character consistency, and even more ways for young readers to participate in every case.

This is more than a simple reprint. We are rebuilding the entire series from the ground up while preserving the heart, humor, and animal friendships that made Sadie May’s adventures special in the first place.

Meet the New-and-Improved Detective Team

At the center of every mystery is Sadie May, a brave and curious brindle-and-white bulldog who trusts her nose, studies the clues, and never rushes to blame someone without evidence.

Sadie May now has a consistent appearance throughout the series, including her signature bright pink DETECTIVE bandana. She behaves like a real bulldog—sniffing, listening, watching, and following scent trails—while still being able to talk with her friends.

Beside her is Chunk, a very large all-black Great Dane and Sadie May’s loyal partner at the Detective Office. Chunk is calm, gentle, and observant. He often notices the small detail that helps the team see the mystery in a completely new way. His official blue detective bandana, decorated with a gold pattern, paw-print emblem, and DETECTIVE lettering, will remain consistent in every book.

Then there is Ricky the Raccoon, Sadie’s clever and mischievous helpful partner. Ricky has plenty of ideas and a talent for finding unusual clues. However, whenever a confrontation begins—or something makes a loud crash—readers can expect Ricky to disappear into his favorite hiding place: a clean metal trash can.

Together, Sadie May, Chunk, and Ricky make a funny, lovable, and surprisingly effective mystery-solving team.

More Realistic Animal Adventures

One of the biggest improvements to the remade series is the way the animals behave.

Sadie May and her friends will no longer stand like people, carry detective equipment, or perform actions that real animals could not do. There will be no magnifying glasses held in paws.

Instead, they will solve mysteries using the abilities animals naturally have:

• Powerful noses
• Sharp hearing
• Careful observation
• Natural movement
• Teamwork
• Curiosity

The animals can still talk and share their personalities, but their physical behavior will remain believable. This gives every story a more immersive and distinctive style while helping young readers appreciate the amazing abilities animals already possess.

A Brand-New Picture-Book Format

Every remade Sadie May Files adventure will use a colorful 8.5 × 8.5-inch square format.

The new books feature warm, cinematic storybook artwork filled with inviting locations, expressive animal characters, hidden details, and cozy mystery atmosphere. The square format gives every illustration room to shine and makes the books ideal for story time, shared reading, and independent exploration.

The goal is to make every page feel like a place children can step into—not just a background behind the words.

The First Remade Mystery

The new series begins with:

Sadie May Files: The Case of the Missing Pizza Slice

Sadie May, Chunk, and Ricky visit Pizza Paws Restaurant, expecting a delicious meal. Instead, restaurant owner Mr. Tony has an unusual problem.

His finest slice of pizza was sitting on the counter. He turned around for only a moment—and when he looked back, it had vanished.

The team follows the scents of tomato sauce, melted cheese, pepperoni, and basil through the restaurant. However, the smell keeps moving from one place to another.

What could make a pizza trail move?

The answer leads to a funny surprise involving Mr. Tony’s tall chef’s hat—and proves that even the strangest mystery can be solved by staying calm, following the clues, and working together.

More Than a Story

The remade books are designed to keep children involved even after the mystery has been solved.

Each title will include Sadie’s Detective Find-It Challenge, inviting young detectives to return to the illustrations and locate hidden objects placed throughout the story.

In The Case of the Missing Pizza Slice, readers can search for items such as:

• A blue button
• A striped sock
• A golden star
• A tiny green toy car
• A bone-shaped cookie
• A red pepper shaker

The book also includes two themed word searches—one inspired by Pizza Paws and another featuring Sadie May’s detective team.

These activities encourage rereading, close observation, word recognition, and problem-solving while extending the fun beyond the final page.

An Expanding World

The updated series will also strengthen the world surrounding Sadie May and her friends.

Readers will visit recurring locations such as:

• Big Dawg Book Store, owned by Mark
• Pixel Paws Game Store, owned by Randy
• Pizza Paws Restaurant
• The Detective Office
• The colorful streets and neighborhoods of Wagglebottom Woods

Mark is Sadie May’s owner, while Randy is Chunk’s owner. The two store owners are best friends, just like the animals whose adventures bring the community together.

These recurring characters and locations will give the series a stronger sense of continuity as each new mystery unfolds.

One Book at a Time

The entire Sadie May Files series will eventually be remade, but every book will receive the time and attention it deserves.

Each mystery will be rebuilt individually with:

• A newly refined story
• Consistent character designs
• More polished artwork
• Realistic animal behavior
• Interactive activities
• A stronger connection to the larger series world

Once one adventure is complete, work will begin on the next.

The upcoming second mystery, Sadie May Files: The Vanishing Video Game, will take the detective team to Pixel Paws Game Store, where a brand-new game has disappeared and glowing pawprints lead into the rainy streets.

A New Beginning for Sadie May

The remade Sadie May Files will preserve everything readers love about Sadie—her courage, her curiosity, her kindness, and her determination to uncover the truth.

But now, the stories will be more consistent, more interactive, more visually immersive, and more connected than ever before.

Sadie May, Chunk, and Ricky are ready.

The clues are waiting.

And this new chapter of the Sadie May Files is only beginning.

Follow the Adventure

Visit Big Dawg Books LLC at bigdawgbooks.com to discover new releases, upcoming mysteries, activities, and more family-friendly adventures.