Shirley HughesDogger: the much-loved children’s classic

This is a heartwarming book about a boy who loses his favourite toy, and how his family come together to help him get it back again. Like all the Shirley Hughes books I've read so far, they are beautifully illustrated, with just the right amount of subtlety in their message.I loved this story myself as a child in the early 90s, and bought a copy for my daughter when she was 2. She has read it again and again on repeat and regularly asks for it, seeking it out if I've moved it out of circulation for a while. Lovely formall children to read but even more relevant to her now especially as she now has a clear favourite toy she carries everywhere, and she also has a younger sibling.I've appreciated this book even more since recently having my second daughter. There is a page where big sister Bella does something very kind, and my now 3 year old really hones in on this. It actually makes me cry a little bit sometimes when I think about how kind that is for a child to do. My daughter tries to copy "big sister Bella" in her pretend play, acting out the book and her kindness. She also loves taking 7 teddies to bed like Bella now, and putting her toy dog on a lead and walking it around like Dave does. She also always points out things with the little brother in the story (Joe) that are relevant to her real life with a new little sister (eg Connie likes hard toys like joe/she likes putting toys in her mouth as she's getting teeth/we have stacking cups like joe but not that pink one/Connie can't have ice-cream as she's a baby).Good story, good morals and beautifully bought alive with wondering illustrations. Good for teaching young children about various things (numbers (how many teddies Bella has, how dogger costs 5p but Dave only has 3 etc), what different races are (eggs me spoon, wheelbarrow etc) and so on. Also good present idea if you're looking to buy a book as it's beautiful, realistic, and relatable, but not as popular as some other books so less likely the parents already own it.

Bought for my three year old who is as obsessed with her teddies as the little boy in this book.It was my favourite book as a child and is one we go back to time and time again with my own children. Wish they did a board book version as the pages are a little delicate but is a great introductory story for toddlers who may just be moving on to longer plots.

I love this book! It's right up there with Jayne Eyre and the Bible in my top three!! I must have bought and given away loads over the years and the story never gets old. Highly recommended with a box of tissues!!

we have owned dogs like dogger- one ear flapping down and one up- I seemed to remember it being a smaller format book which was nicer for handling by small person- maybe I am wrong- misremembering though I shall ask the original owner- one of my daughters. It was her favourite early book- and I hope will be welcomed by my future grandchild in the next couple of months

A brilliant book which is so accessible for young children. It's recommended by Pie Corbett as part of the Year 1 reading spine. My year 1 children (5/6) loved it. They didn't predict what actually happened and the shock on their faces when Dogger ended up on the stall was amazing! It's fantastic to help children understand characters as they feel real empathy for Dave. The illustrations are perfect (even though very slightly dated nowadays).