The Pup's Tale

Darrel & Sally Odgers (authors)

Scholastic Press, Australia: February 2011; 91pp

ISBN: 9781741697254

Genres: animal stories

Issues: animal welfare

Trump the Jack Russell terrier is back in her role as Animal Liason Officer at the Pet Vet Clinic. But how can she help a Labrador with too many puppies?

Trump and Dr Jeanie are called out to visit a pedigreed Labrador, Majestic Madonna, who has a large rainbow (all three colours) litter of fifteen puppies. Madonna can't manage to feed all her pups so Dr Jeanie must find Overflow (aka Tiny), the little chocolate Labrador, a foster mother. The foster mother is a Sheltie friend of Trump's, which is great – except that by the time Tiny is ready to be weaned and taken to his new owners, the little Labrador is having something of an identity crisis. Can Trump save the day?

The sixth in this delightful series, The Pup's Tale is another cheerful, interesting narrative from the Odgers team. Children who love animals will delight in Trump's responsible nature. The embedded facts about different types and colours of dogs provide opportunities for readers to extend their general knowledge and vocabulary.

Great light reading for this age group.

See also: The Kitten's Tale