Dogger: the much-loved children’s classic

Product Information

Historical fiction novelist Hazel Gaynor put: 'Thank you, Shirley Hughes, for so many precious hours with your stories and my small boys.

The main character Dave had a little teddy Dog which he adored, I was able to relate it to the children asking them if they had a little teddy or toy they cherished. Not only is Dogger’s presence underscored in both the text and in the illustration, the sentence about Dogger being pushed up to the fence is the last sentence on that page. In the meantime, have a look at our fabulous Create tool which will give you access to a wide range of illustrations and templates. On the day she died, a post quoted a passage from Alfie, saying: '''Now we're real explorers'' said Mum. The summer fete features many activities that were common place when i was at school but when i recently read this story to a small group of year 1 children I found myself having to explain many of the activities that are illustrated.

Dave and Bella look on as they see the little girl who bought Dave’s beloved Dogger - negotiations ensue and eventually Bella offers the little girl her big brand new bear in exchange for Dave’s Dogger. As with all of Shirley Hughes' books, the illustrations are intricate and beautiful with an authentic, homey feeling to them. Give the children some inspiration for their own creative writing tasks with these illustrated word cards and ask them to consider what they liked and disliked about the story with this Story Review Writing Frame . I got this book for my two girls (aged 4 and 2) because it was one of my favourite books when i was little and needless to say they both love it too. The conflict-resolution plot gives the perfect sense of catharsis for the child reader and turns this book into a must-read.

Bella is turning somersaults, endearingly, and reassures Dave that she didn’t like that big teddy anyway because ‘his eyes were too staring’. This book teaches children how we often get attached to items that signify a great deal of personal importance to us. She was appointed a CBE in 2017 for her services to Children's Literature, having been made an OBE in 1999. An aspect I appreciate about Shirley Hughes’ illustrations is that they have an ‘everyday griminess’ to them. Shirley Hughe’s beautiful illustrations will continue to bring this classic story to life for generations to come.

Hughes and Dogger polled 26% of the vote to 25% for its successor, the 1978 medalist Janet Ahlberg and Each Peach Pear Plum. When the book was finished, I was told it was too English to be popular abroad, however, it proved to be my big breakthrough and has been published in many different languages all over the world. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The charming artwork beautifully captures a bygone era, while masterfully portraying childhood emotions and behaviours which are just as relevant today as when it was originally published in 1977. I also love this because there are few examples of little boys caring for ‘dolls’ in children’s stories without it somehow being ironic or a reason for being bullied.

The school community is also a central theme to the story with Dogger lost when they go to collect Bella from school and found at the school summer fete. I "taped" myself reading it so that they could listen to it when I couldnt be there at bedtime and they heard it over and over again.In the morning at the school fair, Dave is too sad to have fun, and he wanders off from the rest of his family. While Dogger the toy was never lost, thank heavens, my life has had its moments,' says Shirley, whose husband, architect John Vulliamy, died in 2007. She won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and was awarded the OBE for her distinguished service to children's literature. Encourage your child to think about what their favourite toy is and what activities they like to do with that toy? Our own copy as a child had been cancelled from a local library and was covered in yellowing sellotape.