The Poodle Problem by Anna Wilson

The Poodle Problem by Anna Wilson
Buy The Poodle Problem by Anna Wilson at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Confident Readers
Reviewer: Sue Magee
Summary: The pooch-pampering salon meets the canine detective agency is this great romp aimed at the seven plus emerging reader.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 272	Date: February 2012
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-0330545273
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Mrs Fudge had a big house and was rather lonely, so she decided that she would turn part of it into a hairdressing salon where people were encouraged to bring their dogs and to sample her rather delicious home baking. She met Pippa Peppercorn, aged ten and a quarter and a very self-sufficient young lady who was perfectly capable of helping Mrs Fudge by taking coats, making tea and looking after the dogs, but not by being on the operating end of the scissors, much to her disappointment. All was going well until a newcomers to the village of Crumbly-under-Edge opened a beauty parlour and it wasn't long before the competition became, well, just a little bit unfair.

I loved Pippa. she bounces off the page, she's not at all goody-goody and she can be a little bit rude, although, t be fair, the situation does usually demand desperate measures. She's got long red plaits and is utterly loyal to Mrs Fudge. She's also very wise, knowing that fashion isn't everything and that you don't dye your dog's coat to match your outfit - or buy a pup as a fashion accessory. Most of all she feels strongly that once you get a dog you have a responsibility. Would that some of the ladies of Crumbly-under-Edge were as wise as Pippa - but then we wouldn't have had this glorious romp through difficult customers, the Pooch Parlour and playing detective with a talking dog called Dash. What do you mean, 'dogs don't talk'? You've just got to know how to listen!

It's a great book for girls in the seven-plus age group. Short chapters and plenty of zany illustrations are going to keep the interest going and give a real sense of achievement. The vocabulary is challenging (as it should be) but not too difficult and it's a good story - whatever your age. I liked the attitudes too - dogs are fun, but they are to be looked after. Mrs Fudge isn't impressed when Pippa is cheeky but it's not over-the-top. But no one is going to feel that they're being given a lecture - this is a fun and enjoyable read.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

Children who are not pet-orientated might like Agatha Parrot and the Mushroom Boy by Kjartan Poskitt and David Tazzyman.

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