I'd already written a
number of 'one-off' early reading books, like 'The Giant Postman'
and 'Captain Pepper's Pets', but these series of eight are a little
bit younger - and quite a challenge! They provide the writer
with the perfect opportunity to develop characters through repetitive
events and catchphrases, which are, in turn, very helpful for newly
confident readers. They rely heavily on humour, too, another
important element for youong readers.
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE FASHION SHOW
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
Winner Richard
& Judy Children's Book Awards 2007
Poppy is ever bright
and cheerful, Max can sometimes be grumpy. When Poppy
sees a notice about a fashion show, she wants to join in.
Max is not a dog who wears clothes, and he certainly doesn't
want to dress up. Somehow, though, he ends up being
the star of the show in spite of himself.
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE LOST PUPPY
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
In this story (the
first one I wrote), a puppy arrives on Poppy and Max's doorstep
late one evening and wants to come in. Poppy is delighted
with it, but Max soon has his nose put out of joint and can't
wait to find the puppy's owner.
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE SORE PAW
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
When Poppy and Max see some friends playing football, Max
can't wait to join in and shows just how good he is in goal.
His boasting leads him to take on one challenge too
many, and he injures his paw. Everyone rushes to help
him, but just how hurt is he?
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE BIG WAVE
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
Poppy and Max go
to the beach with their friend Tom. Poppy and Tom can't
wait to go surfing, but Max is determined that they should
chase crabs. It's not long though before, like it or
not, he finds himself carried away on the biggest of waves.
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POPPY
AND MAX AND TOO MANY MUFFINS
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
Poor Max.
When Poppy notices that he is becoming a rather podgy doggy,
she decides that it is time for him to do some exercise -
either that or give up muffins! Over the next week,
she devises a regime that they will follow together, but Max
draws the line at dancing...
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE SNOW DOG
illustrated
by Lindsey Gardiner
One morning Poppy
wakes up to find that it has been snowing. She can't
wait to go outside and make a snowman. Max wants to
stay in bed. "I am not a dog who likes the cold,"
he says. It is only when they agree to build a snow
dog that Max cheers up.
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE RIVER PICNIC
illustrated
by Lindsey Gardiner
Max is not a dog
who likes to go for long walks, unless there is a picnic at
the end. When Poppy suggests they go for a walk by the
river, Max is determined to stop for food at the very first
likely place. But the two friends can't seem to agree
on the perfect spot.
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POPPY
AND MAX AND THE NOISY NIGHT
illustrated
by Lindsey Gardiner
Poppy and Max are
enjoying a cosy evening in front of the fire playing Snap
when a storm breaks outside. Max is terrified and won't
come out from under the cushions until the lightning and thunder
stop. But that is only the beginning of this very noisy
night.
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WHO
SHOUTED 'BOO'?
illustrated by Jo Brown
Meet The Bear Detectives. It's
their job to solve any crimes or strange goings-on in the
little village where they live. So just who is it who
keeps shouting boo and frightening the life out of the villagers?
Sergeant Bumble and Constable Tiggs are there to find out.
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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THE
GHOST TRAIN
illustrated
by Jo Brown
When a young bear
called Charlie goes missing at a fairground, it is up to Sergeant
Bumble and Constable Tiggs to find him. But how will
Bumble cope with his fear of heights and scary things?
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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TREASURE
HUNT
illustrated by Jo Brown
Sergeant Bumble
thinks it would be wrong to join in with the village treasure
hunt. His problem-solving skills are such that it wouldn't
be fair to everyone else. But he winds up becoming involved
in spite of himself.
A BEAR DETECTIVES STORY
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THE
MISSING SPAGHETTI
illustrated
by Jo Brown
When a fresh plate
of spaghetti disappears from a villager's windowsill, Sergeant
Bumble and Constable Tiggs have to employ all of their detecting
skills to discover who is the culprit.
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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A
VERY IMPORTANT DAY
illustrated
by Jo Brown
Alvin Crackem, a
world famous pawballer, is due to open the village's new pawball
pitch. Sergeant Bumble and Constable Tiggs are in charge
of operations to make sure everything runs smoothly...
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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THE STRANGE PAWPRINT
illustrated by Jo Brown
The village is covered with snow,
but instead of being able to enjoy it everyone is told to
stay indoors. Strange pawprints have been discovered
in the snow, and Sergeant Bumble and Constables Tiggs won't
rest until they have found out who, or what, is making them.
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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BUCKET
RESCUE
illustrated
by Jo Brown
When a young bear
falls down a hole, Sergeant Bumble and Constable Tiggs have
to use their ingenuity to work out how to pull him out.
But will the young bear be grateful to them?
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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THE
MYSTERIOUS EARTH
illustrated
by Jo Brown
Someone, or something,
is leaving piles of earth on the village green. Try
as they might, Sergeant Bumble and Constable Tiggs don't seem
to be able to work out where the earth is coming from, even
when it appears right by their feet!
A BEAR DETECTIVES
STORY
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