Dear Beast: Someone Is Missing!

Who says cats and dogs don't get along? A snobby cat and a good-natured dog team up--sort of--to solve the mystery of a missing classroom pet in this playful illustrated chapter book told in letters.

Simon the cat and Baxter the dog have finally learned how to share their owner, Andy. It helps that Simon lives with Andy's mom and Baxter lives with Andy's dad. When a problem comes up, they simply exchange letters to sort it out. Baxter's spelling has even improved, though not by much.

But then Andy's class pet goes missing, causing an argument with his friend Noah. Andy is so, so sad. Now it's every pet for himself! Both Simon and Baxter want to solve the mystery and make Andy happy again. Which pet will collect the clues and piece together the solution? Or will another neighborhood animal get there first . . .

This funny and heartwarming collaboration between Geisel Honor and Edgar Award-winning author Dori Hillestad Butler and bestselling illustrator Kevan Atteberry is a tribute to the love of a good pet--and the joy found in new friendship. With eight chapters and adorable full-color illustrations on every spread, the series is a perfect read for parents to share with kids.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs