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Roddy Doyle was our Guest Editor in October 2011. Click here to see his book selection.
Roddy Doyle was born in Dublin in 1958. His first novel, The Commitments, was published to great acclaim in 1987 and was made into a globally successful film by Alan Parker. The Snapper was published in 1990 and has also been made into a film, directed by Stephen Frears. The Van was shortlisted for the 1991 Booker Prize and made into a film also by Stephen Frears. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, which won the Booker Prize in 1993, has been published in over twenty languages.
In 1994 he wrote the screenplay for the television drama series, Family. His plays include Brownbread (1987), War (1989) and, most recently, an updated version of The Playboy of the Western World (2007), which he co-wrote with Bisi Adigun. He has also written a collection of stories, The Deportees (2007) and a memoir of his parents, Rory and Ita (2002). His most recent novel is The Dead Republic (2010), which is the final part of the trilogy, following on from Oh, Play That Thing (2004) and A Star Called Henry (1999).
Roddy’s first children’s book The Giggler Treatment was shortlisted for the WH Smith Children’s Book Award.
Roddy Doyle has won many prizes for his writing. These include the Booker Prize and a BAFTA screenplay. He has also won the Irish Children's Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the prestigious 2013 CILIP Carnegie Medal. His novel The Commitments was turned into a blockbuster film directed by Alan Parket and is now a successful musical in Dublin and in London, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
Rover, star of The Giggler Treatment and others, is back for a new and equally hilarious dog-poo centred adventure. As ever, Rover needs to collect dog poo to keep the Gigglers well-supplied. Assisted by his favourite nephew Messi, whose name does not capture his nature as he is actually a very tidy and organised dog – except when his own tail knocks him over, Rover knows he can deliver all the supplies the Giggler’s need. But can he also find the Big Fat Baby or BFB who has gone missing? It’s a wonderfully fast-paced, harum scarum adventure adventure of dastardly doggy goings on. ~ Julia Eccleshare
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month November 2016 Rover, star of The Giggler Treatment and others, is back for a new and equally hilarious dog-poo centred adventure. As ever, Rover needs to collect dog poo to keep the Gigglers well-supplied. Assisted by his favourite nephew Messi, whose name does not capture his nature as he is actually a very tidy and organised dog – except when his own tail knocks him over, Rover knows he can deliver all the supplies the Giggler’s need. But can he also find the Big Fat Baby or BFB who has gone missing? It’s a wonderfully fast-paced, harum scarum adventure adventure of dastardly doggy goings on. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for November 2016 The Song from Somewhere Else by A. F. Harrold and Levi Pinfold Murder in Midwinter by Fleur Hitchcock Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul Rover and the Big Fat Baby by Roddy Doyle and Chris Judge Penguin Problems by Jory John and Lane Smith The Giant's Necklace by Michael Morpurgo and Briony May Smith
One of our Books of the Year 2014 A profound story about the effect of despair on society is touched with magic and humour by best-selling Roddy Doyle. When a black dog comes out of the clouds and settles itself in Dublin everyone’s family is affected in one way or another. For Gloria and her brother Raymond it brings their Uncle Ben to stay when his business goes bust. What can the children - and all the other children in Dublin – do to chase the black dog away? After a wonderful night-time adventure through Dublin the children enlist the help of the animals in the zoo to chase is black dog away forever.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 - May 2014 Book of the Month A profound story about the effect of despair on society is touched with magic and humour by best-selling Roddy Doyle. When a black dog comes out of the clouds and settles itself in Dublin everyone’s family is affected in one way or another. For Gloria and her brother Raymond it brings their Uncle Ben to stay when his business goes bust. What can the children - and all the other children in Dublin – do to chase the black dog away? After a wonderful night-time adventure through Dublin the children enlist the help of the animals in the zoo to chase is black dog away forever.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2013 & the 2012 Guardian children's fiction prize. Best-selling Roddy Doyle has written a wonderful, funny and warm-hearted family story about the dying of a granny which weaves together the lives of four generations and a little bit of ghostly mystery too. Mary’s relationship with her granny and the feelings she has about her death will touch the heart of readers of all ages. Hilary Murray Hill, Managing Director of Scholastic Children’s Books, says, “I am delighted that Roddy has brought this wonderful novel to our list. A Greyhound of a Girl is a timeless story capturing the atmosphere and relationships of a very recognisable family; its themes will touch every kind of reader ..”
MEGA BOOK OF THE MONTH. Best-selling Roddy Doyle has written a wonderful, funny and warm-hearted family story about the dying of a granny which weaves together the lives of four generations and a little bit of ghostly mystery too. Mary’s relationship with her granny and the feelings she has about her death will touch the heart of readers of all ages. Hilary Murray Hill, Managing Director of Scholastic Children’s Books, says, “I am delighted that Roddy has brought this wonderful novel to our list. A Greyhound of a Girl is a timeless story capturing the atmosphere and relationships of a very recognisable family; its themes will touch every kind of reader ..”
MEGA BOOK OF THE MONTH. Best-selling Roddy Doyle has written a wonderful, funny and warm-hearted family story about the dying of a granny which weaves together the lives of four generations and a little bit of ghostly mystery too. Mary’s relationship with her granny and the feelings she has about her death will touch the heart of readers of all ages. Hilary Murray Hill, Managing Director of Scholastic Children’s Books, says, “I am delighted that Roddy has brought this wonderful novel to our list. A Greyhound of a Girl is a timeless story capturing the atmosphere and relationships of a very recognisable family; its themes will touch every kind of reader ..”
MEGA BOOK OF THE MONTH. Best-selling Roddy Doyle has written a wonderful, funny and warm-hearted family story about the dying of a granny which weaves together the lives of four generations and a little bit of ghostly mystery too. Mary’s relationship with her granny and the feelings she has about her death will touch the heart of readers of all ages. Hilary Murray Hill, Managing Director of Scholastic Children’s Books, says, “I am delighted that Roddy has brought this wonderful novel to our list. A Greyhound of a Girl is a timeless story capturing the atmosphere and relationships of a very recognisable family; its themes will touch every kind of reader ..”
MEGA BOOK OF THE MONTH. Best-selling Roddy Doyle has written a wonderful, funny and warm-hearted family story about the dying of a granny which weaves together the lives of four generations and a little bit of ghostly mystery too. Mary’s relationship with her granny and the feelings she has about her death will touch the heart of readers of all ages. Hilary Murray Hill, Managing Director of Scholastic Children’s Books, says, “I am delighted that Roddy has brought this wonderful novel to our list. A Greyhound of a Girl is a timeless story capturing the atmosphere and relationships of a very recognisable family; its themes will touch every kind of reader ..”
Shortlisted for the Bisto Irish Children's Book Award. The first picture book from award winner Roddy Doyle is a heart-warming and gently reassuring tale about moving on and growing up. The writing is quite sublime and the luscious illustrations by Freya Blackwood compliment the words beautifully.
Shortlisted for the Bisto Irish Children's Book Award. The first picture book from award winner Roddy Doyle is a heart-warming and gently reassuring tale about moving on and growing up. The writing is quite sublime and the luscious illustrations by Freya Blackwood compliment the words beautifully.
The first picture book from award winner Roddy Doyle is a heart-warming and gently reassuring tale about moving on and growing up. The writing is quite sublime and the luscious illustrations by Freya Blackwood compliment the words beautifully.
This is a stunning piece of writing for young teenagers. Part-action, part family drama the plot cleverly interweaves two stories. The first is of two brothers who with their mother are on a trip of a lifetime in the frozen arctic north. The second is the story of their older teenage stepsister who is coming to terms with the reappearance of her mother in her life. Doyle weaves a brilliant portrait of family life, love and loss. It’s Doyle at his exciting best.
Roddy Doyle’s writing will be enjoyed by even the most reluctant of readers. You may have anarchy in the house once the books have been read, for these stories don’t think much of adults but rest assured you’ll get some peace in the house until they are finished! Rover the mad hound saves the day each time but not without considerable consequences, too numerous to mention here but which you as a parent will hear about. We think this is one of the best presents you can give a child aged between 6 and 11. Please note the books are also available individually and are as follows: The Giggler TreatmentThe Meanwhile AdventuresRover Saves Christmas
This is a stunning piece of writing for young teenagers. Part-action, part family drama the plot cleverly interweaves two stories. The first is of two brothers who with their mother are on a trip of a lifetime in the frozen arctic north. The second is the story of their older teenage stepsister who is coming to terms with the reappearance of her mother in her life. Doyle weaves a brilliant portrait of family life, love and loss. It’s Doyle at his exciting best.
Parents may well not enjoy Doyle’s brilliant adventures about creatures that dream up devilish punishments to get back at adults, but rest-assured kids absolutely love it. Highly amusing characters and tales that are full of mischief all add up to a story that children really identify with. Great illustrations too that really brings the story to life. Kids as young as 6 or 7 and as old as 10 or 11 will love it. Sequels to The Giggler Treatment are the madcap Rover saves Christmas and The Meanwhile Adventures. This title is also available in audio CD. Also available in a 3 books in 1 collection featuring all three Rover titles from Roddy Doyle.
Pure escapism for kids who have already picked up the reading habit as well as for children who, perhaps don’t enjoy reading but enjoy a great deal of fun, mad-cap adventure and probably have a warped sense of humour too!!!! This is third book to feature Rover, the mad hound who always delivers in more ways than one. Also available in a 3 books in 1 collection featuring all three Rover titles from Roddy Doyle.
With Rudolph on strike Rover comes to the rescue of Father Christmas but how can he possibly deliver all the presents with so little time left. You’ll laugh your socks off with Doyle’s brilliant storyline and one-liners to boot. This sequel to The Giggler Treatment also stands alone as a fantasmogorical read for everyone from 6 upwards.
A novel of mothers lost and found, Wilderness is part roaring adventure, part family drama - with a charm that's all Roddy Doyle's. While Tom and Johnny are on a husky safari in Finland, their half-sister Grainne stays behind to face the mother who abandoned her. But Tom and Johnny are too caught up in their adventure to think of home - until they find themselves lost in the snow, in a desperate struggle for survival...
12 year old Mary's beloved grandmother is near the end of her life. Letting go is hard - until Granny's long-dead mammy appears. Her ghost has returned to help her dying daughter say goodbye to the ones she loves. But first she needs to take them all on a road trip to the past. A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL is a perfectly-pitched, funny and tender tale about four generations of an Irish family, and the special bonds between mothers and daughters. It will entrance readers from 10 to adult.
Rover, canine star of The Giggler Treatment, Rover Saves Christmas and The Meanwhile Adventures is back! The BFB (Big Fat Baby) is missing! Can Rover the wonder dog and his little nephew Messi (who is actually very tidy) track her down? While Rover and co. are hot on the trail of the BFB, via Granny Mack's backpack, the post lady's basket and a plane bound for Africa, it looks like the Gigglers are about to run out of poo . . . And without an urgent delivery from Rover, how will they be able to give the Giggler Treatment to grumpy adults and help kids all over the country? In Rover and the Big Fat Baby, Rover returns for another adventure in this bestselling illustrated series by Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle.
Gloria and Rayzer must save their Uncle Ben. The black dog has got him. At least, that's what they heard their granny say. And she says it's taken Dublin's funny bone too. As Uncle Ben's Dublin business fails, it's clear to Gloria and Rayzer that something is wrong. He just isn't his usual cheerful self. So when the children overhear their granny saying that the Black Dog has settled on Ben's back and he won't be OK until it's gone, they decide they're going to get rid of it. Gathering all their courage the children set out on a midnight quest to hunt down the Black Dog and chase it away. Gloria and Rayzer are really brave, but the black dog is really scary - and soon they realize that they can't fight it alone. Before long loads of other children are searching for it too, because the Black Dog is hounding lots of Dublin's adults. Together - and with the help of magical animals, birds and rodents - the children manage to corner the Black Dog . . . but will they have the courage and cleverness to destroy the frightening creature? Roddy Doyle's 'brilliant' Brilliant is a wonderful, heartwarming middle grade tale of friendship and family.
When Uncle Ben's Dublin business fails, it's clear to Gloria and Raymond that something is wrong. He just isn't his usual cheerful self. So when the children overhear their granny saying that the Black Dog has settled on Ben's back and he won't be OK until it's gone, they decide they're going to get rid of it. Gathering all their courage the children set out on a midnight quest to hunt down the Black Dog and chase it away. But they aren't the only kids on the mission. Loads of other children are searching for it too, because the Black Dog is hounding lots of Dublin's adults. Together - and with the help of magical animals, birds and rodents - the children manage to corner the Black Dog . . . but will they have the courage and cleverness to destroy the frightening creature?
This special edition includes The Giggler Treatment, Rover Saves Christmas and The Meanwhile Adventures. Join Rover the wonder-dog and the eccentric but lovable Mack family as they get into one madcap adventure after the other! The poo is about to hit the shoe... Riotously funny The Times Packed full of bizarre humour, imagination and a whole lot of poo... Bookseller Brilliant Irish Independent
Mr Mack's inventing career has got off to a bad start - he's been arrested! It's up to Jimmy, Robbie, Kayla and Rover the wonder-dog to: - Rescue Mr Mack from prison - Avoid the orphan catchers - Save the world from an army of stroppy slugs Will they succeed? There's only one way to find out.
Gloriously silly comedy from Booker prize winner and bestseller Roddy Doyle. It's Christmas eve and Rudolph's got the flu! Jimmy and Robbie Mack are so desperate for Christmas that they've left twenty-seven sandwiches out for Santa. But Rudolf is off sick and Santa's grounded the sleigh - with all the presents. Will the big day be cancelled? Or can Rover the wonder-dog come to the rescue? Look out for more cheeky runaway comedies starring the Mack family and Rover the wonder-dog: THE GIGGLER TREATMENT (9781407139722) and THE MEANWHILE ADVENTURES (9781407139746).
Gloriously silly comedy from Booker prize winner and bestseller Roddy Doyle. If adults are mean to children, they get the Giggler Treatment. It's smelly. It's squishy. And it sticks to your shoe. But sometimes, just sometimes, the Gigglers make a mistake... Can Robbie, Kayla, Jimmy and Rover the dog come to Mr Mack's rescue before the poo hits the shoe? Look out for more cheeky runaway comedies starring the Mack family and Rover the wonder-dog: ROVER SAVES CHRISTMAS (9781407139739) and THE MEANWHILE ADVENTURES (9781407139746).
12 year old Mary's beloved grandmother is near the end of her life. Letting go is hard - until Granny's long-dead mammy appears. Her ghost has returned to help her dying daughter say goodbye to the ones she loves. But first she needs to take them all on a road trip to the past. A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL is a perfectly-pitched, funny and tender tale about four generations of an Irish family, and the special bonds between mothers and daughters. It will entrance readers from 10 to adult.
The best-ever children's novel from the brilliant Roddy Doyle is a funny, sad story about four generations of a family. 12 year old Mary O'Hara's beloved, joke-cracking grandmother is near the end of her life. Letting go is hard - until a mysterious young woman appears at Mary's door. She is the ghost of Granny's long-dead mammy and her mission is to help her dying daughter say goodbye to the ones she loves. But first she needs someone to drive them all to the old family farm for a visit to the past. A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL is a perfectly-pitched, sharp and tender tale of family history, cracking characters, and bonds between mothers and daughters that will entrance readers from 10 to adult.
A novel of mothers lost and found, Wilderness is part roaring adventure, part family drama - with a charm that's all Roddy Doyle's. While Tom and Johnny are on a husky safari in Finland, their half-sister Grainne stays behind to face the mother who abandoned her. But Tom and Johnny are too caught up in their adventure to think of home - until they find themselves lost in the snow, in a desperate struggle for survival...
While Tom and Johnny are on a husky safari in Finland, their half-sister Grainne stays behind to face the mother who abandoned her. But Tom and Johnny are too caught up in their adventure to think of home - until they find themselves lost in the snow, in a desperate struggle for survival.
The Gigglers waited. They waited for the wallop \- Mr Mack hitting the poo. They waited for the squelch \- Mr Mack stepping down on the poo. They waited for the groan \- Mr Mack seeing that most of the poo was now on his shoe. Who are the Gigglers? Good question. The Gigglers look after children. And they do it very well\.
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