Mr Scruff

We all know that dogs look like their owners, right? The dogs we are introduced to at the start of this book all fit the bill. There's Polly, a cute French Poodle, who belongs to Molly, whose curly hair is arranged in a matching style. And Eric the sausage dog, whose jaunty walk resembles that of his owner, Derek. Several more rhyming pairs, bearing an uncanny resemblance to each other, are presented. However, there seems to be no-one for Mr Scruff, who is rather forlorn as he waits to be chosen. Along comes Jim. At first, they seem so different. Jim is small, Mr Scruff is tall. Jim is young, Mr Scruff is old. Will they make a good pair? Jim's parents are not so sure, but he is determined. Jim and Mr Scruff like each other and get along fine. They have discovered that what really matters is to belong to someone and have a place to call home. Finally, we meet old Mr Gruff and a little pup called Tim. Another perfect match which proves that, when you are good friends, differences don't matter at all. This is a story about friendship, belonging, similarity and difference. The illustrations bring the appealing characters, both human and canine, to life and there is much to observe in each picture. This rhyming story teaches an important lesson and the book will be enjoyed by both dog lovers and people watchers alike. Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Judith Greenall, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 3+