The gross factor is well and truly engaged from the opening sentence. The dog wants to get the attention of Marcus and the reader-and get it he does! With plenty of toilet humour to draw in the target audience of nine-years-plus, the storyline is unpredictable and the book hard to put down. An underlying message about man’s affect on our planet and wildlife is added with great subtlety. Global warming and extinction of species are touched on. The dog can get away with preaching because he isn’t human. At first glance this is just a gross tale to encourage readership from kids who don’t care for reading, but the book ends up both thoughtful and thought-provoking. The characters are well drawn and easy to relate to. The peripheral characters add additional interest and humour, however Mrs Bird is treated sensitively, and not just played for laughs. The illustrations are eye-catching and appealing, as are the scattered paw prints, and page numbers in lizard outlines. There are recurrent themes of loyalty, friendship, duty, generosity and trying to do the right thing. The moralising is very low-key, while the significance of conservation is kept simple. Deviously enjoyable!

Melinda Bilbey is a freelance reviewer and former bookseller, specialising in children’s books

Tags: barry jonsberg