Interest Age 5-8 Joe is upset: his teacher has asked the class to do a project on their pets but Joe’s mum has asthma and anything with fur makes her breath thick and squashy. Joe invents a pet for himself, an eleven-legged dragonosaurus with a voice like metal chains jangling, but it can’t compete with Lizzie’s rabbits. Then Joe goes to the help of a neighbour’s new born calf, and everything changes. Berlie Doherty, twice winner of the Carnegie Medal, always writes beautifully and this little story gives a very vivid impression of Joe’s life, and a real sense of just how he’s feels about things too. With lively colour illustrations by Becka Moor this is perfect for readers just gaining confidence in reading alone and for reading aloud too. ~ Andrea Reece
About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
When Joe's teacher announces the new class project will be all about their pets, Joe turns glum - there's no animals allowed in his house. So when he starts to invent a pet, his imagination turns wild and the dragonosaurus is born! There's lots of fun to be had with his new 'pet', but when Joe notices something amiss on the neighbouring farm the dragonosaurus is quickly abandoned. Perhaps an animal to call his own is closer than Joe thinks. Charming countryside tale about the bond between children and animals, perfect for younger fans of Michael Morpurgo.
High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.
Berlie Doherty is one of the UK’s favourite children’s authors. She has been writing for over twenty years and is published in more than twenty languages. She is a prolific writer of novels, storybooks, picture books, and plays. Berlie lives in Derbyshire.
To read a question and answer session with Berlie Doherty please click here.
