I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen and Chloe Inkpen
| I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen and Chloe Inkpen | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Z J Cookson
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| Summary: A delightful rhyming story about a boisterous puppy who loves all the things that dog owners fear the most. This funny and poignant book is destined to become a children's classic. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: September 2015 |
| Publisher: Hodder Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1444924565 | |
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A rhyming story about a boisterous puppy who loves all the things that dog owners fear the most – licking, scratching, rolling in poo, chasing cats and cars – and, most important of all, running away. Indeed he runs away so many times that he's almost not allowed to stay. Luckily both the puppy and his little boy owner will always love each other anyway.
This delightful story is cleverly written from the perspective of the puppy and we immediately sympathise with the little dog despite all the naughty things he does. We understand why he steals the gloves, shoes and socks and why he simply can't follow even the most basic instruction. He can't help himself but he clearly adores his little boy owner.
The story has just the right balance between humour and sadness when he learns not to chase cars (there's a lovely picture of the puppy with a bandaged head) and spends all night alone in the rain. The ending is also suitably satisfying when, despite his frightening adventures, the puppy continues to act in the only way he knows how – by running away.
The text is impressive in the simplicity and power of each carefully chosen word, telling the whole story in rhyme while keeping within the point of view of the puppy. I particularly loved the different variations of the phrase I don't do Sit! I don't do Stay!' The pictures are the perfect complement, adding an extra depth to the story. We can see the affection between the puppy and the little boy and fully appreciate the tiny dog's exuberance. The pictures, however, do more than just convey what is happening – they cleverly hint what is to come when they show us the dog's rear end disappearing off the page or over the fence.
I loved this book and I'm confident it will appeal to children, especially if they have a pet dog or aspire to have one. Many of Mick Inkpen's books are already considered children's classics and this pairing with this daughter's beautiful and moving illustrations will, I believe, see I Will Love You Anyway being added to this list.
If you enjoyed this and would like a story about naughty children rather than naughty puppies try We Are Wearing Out The Naughty Step by Mick Inkpen. Or why not look up one of Mick and Chloe's other stories such as Zoe and Beans: Hello Oscar by Chloe Inkpen and Mick Inkpen.
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You can read more book reviews or buy I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen and Chloe Inkpen at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen and Chloe Inkpen at Amazon.com.
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