Dogger: the much-loved children’s classic

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That night in bed Dave expresses his gratitude to his big sister and his big sister says she didn’t have any room for any more teddies anyhow. She wrote and illustrated over 200 cherished children’s books, including the celebrated Alfie stories. Dogger is for sale for 5p, but Dave can only find 3p in his pocket, and is very upset when he sees a little girl walking around the Fayre with Dogger in her arms. This title gave me such a warm feeling of nostalgia, whilst one of the children dressed up as a Dalek during the school fair exemplifies the quintessential British charm of Hughes timeless tale.

Her 200 books for children are her legacy, and will I’m certain continue to give joy and comfort to their readers. Whatever other calamity has befallen him, this is fundamental, and important when writing marketable picture books for the youngest children. 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.The story delves into the theme of 'belongings' and of the importance of having special objects to cherish.

Her first book - Lucy and Tom's Day - was published in 1960, and she followed it with, among others, Dogger, and the Alfie series. One day, after collecting his big sister Bella from school, watching the flags go up for the summer fair and enjoying ice-creams on the way home, Dave realises that Dogger is missing.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. When my son went on a school trip away as a small boy I made him a miniature version of his teddy to travel with so there’d be no risk of losing his much-loved companion. Shirley Hughes has won the Other Award, the Eleanor Farjeon Award, and the Kate Greenaway Medal for Illustration twice, for Dogger in 1977 and for Ella's Big Chance in 2003. Her warm, wise work captures the essence of childhood and will continue to inspire generations of children to come. Exploring concepts of love, loss and kindness, this classic tale will be cherished by the entire family and will particularly appeal to any child who has a favourite toy.

Shirley Hughes is the illustrator of more than two hundred children’s books and has won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. If you enjoy the illustrations of Shirley Hughes, you may like to check out watercolours by John Lovett, Australian artist. The passing of time is often depicted in words, even in picture books: After dinner, before bed, and indeed that technique is utilised here: ‘ Now and again Dave and Bella’s mum said that Dogger was getting much too dirty.

With lovely illustrations and a story line that could almost happen to any child I would highly recommend all young children to read this picture book! The fashion is different as well and it makes a good starting point with younger children to get them to think about whether the story is set in the past or present. 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.