When I was about ten years old, my Geordie uncle Hen told me a short but pithy – and very funny – tale about how the dogs all had a party and had to take off their bottoms before they went in. (He used a much RUDER word than bottoms.) But then there was a fire, and all the bottoms got mixed up… and ever since then, every dog has been searching for his or her lost bottom. Much, much later, in 2006, my brother-in-law told my son (coincidentally also aged ten) a very similar tale. In fact, I have discovered that there are several versions of the story from around the UK from Kent to Cornwall to Scotland – and even from as far away as New Zealand, dating back to the turn of the 20th century and earlier. Aha, I thought, it’s time to turn this old legend into a picture book! THE GREAT DOG BOTTOM SWAP was the result. Hilariously illustrated by Mei Matsuoka, it was shortlisted for the 2009 Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
“Big, clever, funny.” (The Sunday Telegraph)
“Maybe my all time favourite kids’ book” (Dawn O’Porter)
“Unmissable!” (Bookseller’s Choice, The Bookseller)
“Illustrated with beautiful simplicity, written with verve – and is like nothing else you’ll read this year.” (Benjamin Secher The Daily Telegraph)
“Clever and inventive… great fun from an author with a superb sense of humour… this is a hilarious picture book for slightly older children and a great book to read aloud.” (Northern Ireland Homes & Lifestyle)