Author: Shirley Hughes
Ages: 3+
Toddlers love cuddlies. They have their own favourite which is inevitably the tattiest of the lot that gets paraded to every single place they have been to. For years. They take joy rides in prams and strollers and then trikes and scooters, get fed all sorts of sticky things, jump puddles, have little "accidents" and get mended, get baptized in muddy ponds, share the couch for TV shows and demand theatre and air-travel seats, get sick with the kids and finally get turned a new leaf by the warm tumbles of the washing machine ( but ONLY when the toddler is not clutching on to it dearly, which is not a daily, not even a monthly occurrence, and hence the tattiness!).
If the above strikes a chord with you, Dogger is just the story you'd love! Dave loves Dogger, his little toy puppy dog. His sister Bella has loads of toys and shares her bed with all of them, but Dave loves Dogger and only Dogger. On a sunny day, Dave goes with mum ( and Dogger, of course!) to pick Bella from school, then they have some leisurely fun and by the time they get home, Dogger is long lost! Nothing could console Dave, not even the generous offer of one of her precious teddies by Bella. Mum turns the house upside down ( oh! that frantic search that has happened so many times!) and Dad searches the garden, but to no avail. Dave goes to bed a sad little boy (and your heart goes out for him).
The next day is School Fair day. Dave and Bella get taken to the stalls and fun is in the air. Bella has some luck with the raffle draw and wins a huge Teddy and is beside herself with joy, but Dave remains forlorn thinking of his beloved Dogger.
Right then, what do they see in the toy sale table right behind all the toys - Dogger, with a price tag of 5p! Unable to find Mum to get the money, Dave is dejected because he is close to losing the toy. And lose it he does. To a little girl who jumps ahead of him and pays for Dogger. What happens next is a very brave and compassionate display of sibling affection saving Dogger. And all is well that ends well with a happy Dave taking Dogger to bed that night!
It is hard to believe that this story was written decades ago and has rightfully won the test of time. Dogger still features in all the "Best Childrens' book of all times" lists. It was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1977, the exact year I was born. Shirley Hughes has not just written a story with children at the heart, she has also illustrated it so! The beautiful pictures tell the story themselves and take you to those good old days when life wasn't as complicated and children had unadulterated, simple play times and fun. But the core values in the story hold just as good even now, and is something to quote to children as an example, a message of selfless love and affection that they should carry for a life time.
Here's a nice reading of Dogger online.
Dogger, Puppy love at first sight!
Ages: 3+
Toddlers love cuddlies. They have their own favourite which is inevitably the tattiest of the lot that gets paraded to every single place they have been to. For years. They take joy rides in prams and strollers and then trikes and scooters, get fed all sorts of sticky things, jump puddles, have little "accidents" and get mended, get baptized in muddy ponds, share the couch for TV shows and demand theatre and air-travel seats, get sick with the kids and finally get turned a new leaf by the warm tumbles of the washing machine ( but ONLY when the toddler is not clutching on to it dearly, which is not a daily, not even a monthly occurrence, and hence the tattiness!).
If the above strikes a chord with you, Dogger is just the story you'd love! Dave loves Dogger, his little toy puppy dog. His sister Bella has loads of toys and shares her bed with all of them, but Dave loves Dogger and only Dogger. On a sunny day, Dave goes with mum ( and Dogger, of course!) to pick Bella from school, then they have some leisurely fun and by the time they get home, Dogger is long lost! Nothing could console Dave, not even the generous offer of one of her precious teddies by Bella. Mum turns the house upside down ( oh! that frantic search that has happened so many times!) and Dad searches the garden, but to no avail. Dave goes to bed a sad little boy (and your heart goes out for him).
The next day is School Fair day. Dave and Bella get taken to the stalls and fun is in the air. Bella has some luck with the raffle draw and wins a huge Teddy and is beside herself with joy, but Dave remains forlorn thinking of his beloved Dogger.
Right then, what do they see in the toy sale table right behind all the toys - Dogger, with a price tag of 5p! Unable to find Mum to get the money, Dave is dejected because he is close to losing the toy. And lose it he does. To a little girl who jumps ahead of him and pays for Dogger. What happens next is a very brave and compassionate display of sibling affection saving Dogger. And all is well that ends well with a happy Dave taking Dogger to bed that night!
It is hard to believe that this story was written decades ago and has rightfully won the test of time. Dogger still features in all the "Best Childrens' book of all times" lists. It was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1977, the exact year I was born. Shirley Hughes has not just written a story with children at the heart, she has also illustrated it so! The beautiful pictures tell the story themselves and take you to those good old days when life wasn't as complicated and children had unadulterated, simple play times and fun. But the core values in the story hold just as good even now, and is something to quote to children as an example, a message of selfless love and affection that they should carry for a life time.
Here's a nice reading of Dogger online.
Dogger, Puppy love at first sight!
