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Ruggles by Anne Fine and Ruth Brown (view source)
Revision as of 15:13, 25 August 2020
, 15:13, 25 August 2020no edit summary
You can always rely on Anne Fine for a good story and she has this dog nailed perfectly in a story which is told in simple language but which doesn't patronise the young reader. (Young reader? It was perfect for me!) You can't help laughing at Ruggles even though he is being naughty and anyone who has lived with a dog will realise exactly what he's doing. I've got to admit though that the most perfect part of the book for me was the illustrations by Ruth Brown. Think of the dog's name and then put it on four legs and make all the bits flap about (and up and down) as he moves. Colour him grey, white, black and perhaps a little bit of brown and you have Ruggles. Look into his eyes and you'll be lost.
I suspect that it's a book which will appeal more to children who live in doggy households, but no one, unless they really do dislike dogs, is going to take exception to it. Strangely enough , it's not a book which is likely to leave you with a child pestering to get a dog, as Ruggles' independence comes across very strongly. This is a dog who will deal with you on his terms.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
If you're a fan of Beagles then you might enjoy [[Gus by Fiona Louise Bate]], but if any dog appeals to you then you must try [[Dogs by Emily Gravett]]. Slightly older dog lovers will enjoy [[Marley: A Dog Like No Other by John Grogan]]. Ruth Brown also illustrated [[The Quayside Cat by Toby Forward and Ruth Brown|The Quayside Cat by Toby Forward]].
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