Ludwig the Space Dog

Ludwig the Sea Dog has been an really unexpected treat of a book to read. I have to admit when I opened it and found 3D glasses on the inside cover, I was a little scepticle. Normally I find 3D books to be quite poor on quality and pictures that are meant to be 3D don't stand out at all. This book, however, is completely different and its high quality 3D production means that on each page there is a captivating illustration, which at times actually made me reach out onto the page! To add to outstanding illustrations, the story of Ludwig's adventures to save his friend Peter the Penguin is great. I love the fact that Ludwig and all his other paper friends come From all sorts of books, Ludwig coming from an atlas. In the story Ludwig and his friends have to think how they can help Peter, when they never have been under the sea and their only experiences come from what they have read about the sea in other books. When Ludwig dives into a book about the sea, he soon finds himself out of his depth and he needs to be saved by his friends. When Ludwig finds himself in a puddle of water and very soggy, he needs to be dried off in a Fairy tale book. It is here that he is able to offer lots of advice to different characters including the Ugly Duckling, the Big Bad Wolf and the Frog Prince, who then help him in turn to save Peter. This is a lovely story, full of lots of exploration of different books and would be a great one to start a year in school or to launch a book week in school. Children will really enjoy the story and the added effect of the 3D illustrations to make this story even more exciting. I would recommend this book especially for engaging your reluctant readers. Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Marie Berry, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 5+

On opening the first page of Ludwig the Space Dog the reader sees an airmail letter to open and 3D goggles are inside for the reader to wear, which lift the images off the page. Ludwig the Space Dog lives in a world of books and understands completely what books can give him in terms of knowledge, ideas and escapism linked to his passions for space travel. Ludwig wants to fly into space but he constantly fails in his numerous attempts until one day he finds a spacecraft that had crash-landed. The pilot, a penguin with a funny helmet, needs help and Ludwig and his friends manage mend the spacecraft for him. Once mended Ludwig decides to leave with the penguin pilot to explore space, as he has always wanted to do. Even though he is miles away he still keeps in touch with his chums by sending them postcards. This is a lovely book, which is humorous and very much promotes the idea that through reading you can learn a great deal. The book can be read without the 3D glasses but the story really comes to life with them on. Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Fiona Collins, consultant.

Suggested Reading Age 5+