A selection of classic children's picture books on a bright yellow background

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Children's reading lists

The best classic children’s picture books

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy

Join Hairy Maclary and his friends on their first ever adventure - a beloved rhyming classic for over 40 years! 
Over 5 million Hairy Maclary books sold worldwide. 
Hairy Maclary is off for a walk in town, and on the way he's joined by many furry friends of all shops and sizes, from Bottomley Potts (covered in spots) to Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum). But when they suddenly find themselves face-to-face with Scarface Claw - the toughest Tom in town - it's time to run all the way back home! 
 
The brilliantly clever rhyme and vivid, engaging pictures have made this story into a children's classic, beloved for over 40 years - and it's still one of the most popular picture books today. 
 
"Children will love looking at the detailed illustrations of each dog, and it's a great conversation starter around different words to describe how each dog looks and might feel" - The Evening Standard 
 
More Hairy Maclary classics: 
Hairy Maclary's Bone 
Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet 
Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness

Lynley Dodd is an award-winning author/illustrator who lives in New Zealand. She is enormously popular for her rhyming stories of the unforgettable HAIRY MACLARY and his friends. She worked as a teacher before beginning to write her own books in 1974.

Join Hairy Maclary and his friends on their first ever adventure - a beloved rhyming classic for over 40 years! 
 
Hairy Maclary is off for a walk in town, and on the way he's joined by many furry friends of all shops and sizes, from Bottomley Potts (covered in spots) to Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum). But when they suddenly find themselves face-to-face with Scarface Claw - the toughest Tom in town - it's time to run all the way back home! 
 
The brilliantly clever rhyme and vivid, engaging pictures have made this story into a children's classic, beloved for over 40 years - and it's still one of the most popular picture books today. 
 
"Children will love looking at the detailed illustrations of each dog, and it's a great conversation starter around different words to describe how each dog looks and might feel" - The Evening Standard 
 
More Hairy Maclary classics: 
Hairy Maclary's Bone 
Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet 
Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness

Scarface Claw, Hold Tight

What a peaceful morning! The sun is out and Scarface Claw is busy doing what a cat does best - he's lazing around in a sunny spot. A sunny spot that unfortunately happens to be the roof of a truck... 
 
Suddenly, 
there was a shudder and sway, 
the whirr of an engine, 
then off and away. 
 
Off goes the truck down the drive - with Scarface ON TOP! Who will come to poor Scarface Claw's rescue? 
 
Featuring trucks, trailers and even Gran's scooter, Scarface Claw's latest escapade is perfect for reading aloud again and again. Buckle up for another adventure from the creator of the much-loved Hairy Maclary and Friends series!

Lynley Dodd graduated from the Elam School of Art in Auckland with a diploma in Fine Arts, majoring in sculpture. She went on to teach art before taking a break to start a family. She began to work as a freelance illustrator and collaborated with author Eve Sutton on My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes. There was no looking back as Lynley went on to write and illustrate her own books for children. Exuberant artwork and bouncy rhymes come together perfectly in books like Slinky Malinki and Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. As well as being a visual delight, these are some of the most rewarding books for children and adults to read out loud.

Slinky Malinki

Meet Slinky Malinki: a very, very NAUGHTY cat. 
 
"He had bright yellow eyes, a warbling wail, 
And a kink at the end of his very long tail." 
 
Slinky Malinki can steal anything - from a clothes peg, to a slipper, to a string of sausages!! But, will Slinky realise that crime doesn't pay? 
 
Told through playful rhyme and vibrant watercolour illustration, this hilarious classic story has delighted children for generations. 
 
Discover more animal adventures: 
Scarface Claw 
Hairy Maclary's Bone 
Schnitzel von Krumm

Lynley Dodd is New Zealand's bestselling children's author/illustrator and has an international following. She worked as a teacher before beginning to write her own books in 1974 and has published over twenty brilliant stories about Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki, Scarface Claw and lots of other memorable characters. Lynley lives with her husband and cat in New Zealand.

Slinky Malinki steals anything from a clothes peg, to a slipper, to a string of sausages, to a clock! Our hero is a BAD cat! The story is told in wonderful rhyme and through pictures full of life and movement.

Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers

Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers is a hilarious rhyming story by Lynley Dodd. 
 
'Christmas was coming. Out came the tree, dressed up in finery, splendid to see. Trinkets and tinsel with baubles and bows, a mouse with a hat and a very red nose . . .' So begins Lynley Dodd's cracking Christmas tale told in her usual rollicking, rhythmic rhyme. Festive preparations are being made in Slinky Malinki's house and the rapscallion, mischievous cat is most curious about the Christmas tree. With its reindeer, ribbons, baubles and bells, it's too tempting a treat for Slinky not to investigate. So Slinky Malinki, with mischievous glee, creeps out from the shadows to climb up the tree... 
 
Lynley Dodd is an award-winning author/illustrator who lives in New Zealand. She is enormously popular for her rhyming stories of the unforgettable HAIRY MACLARY and his friends. She worked as a teacher before beginning to write her own books in 1974. 
 
Read all the Hairy Maclary and Friends books by Lynley Dodd! 
 
Hairy Maclary's Bone; Hairy Maclary Scattercat; Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper; Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet; Slinky Malinki; Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness; Slinky Malinki, Open the Door; Sniff-Snuff-Snap!; Schnitzel Von Krumm Forget-Me-Not; Slinky Malinki Catflaps; Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers; Hairy Maclary's Hat Tricks; Scarface Claw; Schnitzel Von Krumm, Dog's Never Climb Tress; Hairy Maclary, Sit; Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack; Magnet Fun with Hairy Maclary; Hairy Maclary, Shoo; Hairy Maclary and Friends Little Library; Slinky Malinki, Open the Door; Slinky Malinki Early Bird; Where is Hairy Maclary?; Sticker Fun with Hairy Maclary; My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes

Lynley Dodd worked as a teacher before beginning to write her own books in 1974. She is now an award-winning author/illustrator enormously popular for her rhyming stories of the memorable Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki, Schnitzel Von Krumm - and many more! There are now eighteen stories about Hairy Maclary and Friends, as well as activity books, novelty books and glorious plush toys.Lynley lives in New Zealand.

'Christmas was coming. Out came the tree, dressed up in finery, splendid to see. Trinkets and tinsel with baubles and bows, a mouse with a hat and a very red nose . . .'  So begins Lynley Dodd's cracking Christmas tale told in her usual rollicking, rhythmic rhyme. Festive preparations are being made in Slinky Malinki's house and the rapscallion, mischievous cat is most curious about the Christmas tree. With its reindeer, ribbons, baubles and bells, it's too tempting a treat for Slinky not to investigate. So Slinky Malinki, with mischievous glee, creeps out from the shadows to climb up the tree...

Hairy Maclary and Friends Little Library

The perfect introduction to the Hairy Maclary picture book series by award-winning Lynley Dodds. 
 
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy has lots of friends, including Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum!), cheeky and cheerful Slinky Malinki and adorable pittery-pattery Zachary Quack. 
 
Now you can meet them too in this frolicking, rollicking little library - a perfect introduction to the many adventures of Hairy Maclary and friends and just right for tiny fingers and little hands! 
 
"These are fab little board books to accompany the full “Hairy Maclary” book series. The rhyming stories and repeated refrains are great for early language development, and turning the pages of the board books is good for fine motor development." - A 5 star reviewer 
 
Other Hairy Maclary & Friends stories: 
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy 
Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack 
Schnitzel von Krumm, Dogs NEVER Climb Trees 
Slinky Malinki

Lynley Dodd is an award-winning author/illustrator, enormously popular for her rhyming stories of the memorable Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki, Schnitzel Von Krumm - and many others! She worked as a teacher before beginning to write her own books and her first Hairy Maclary adventure was published in 1983. Lynley lives in Tauranga, New Zealand, with her husband Tony and a fiendish cat called Suu Kyi.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy has lots of friends, including Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum!), cheeky and cheerful Slinky Malinki and adorable pittery-pattery Zachary Quack. Now you can meet them too in this frolicking, rollicking little library - a perfect introduction to the many adventures of Hairy Maclary and friends and just right for tiny fingers and little hands!

Hairy Maclary, Shoo

Hairy Maclary, Shoo is a hilarious rhyming story by Lynley Dodd. 
 
'Stop this shemozzle, this hullabaloo! Scarper, skedaddle, be off with you - shoo!' 
 
When Hairy Maclary decides to snoop inside a parked delivery van, he's in for a madcap adventure. After a rattling, roaring ride, and finding himself far from home, he desperately tries to get back to the Dairy - creating havoc and incurring the wrath of shopkeepers, schoolteachers and passers-by along the way. 
 
Has Hairy ever caused such mayhem? Thank goodness for Miss Plum, who once again steps in to save the day! 
 
Lynley Dodd is an award-winning author/illustrator who lives in New Zealand. She is enormously popular for her rhyming stories of the unforgettable HAIRY MACLARY and his friends. She worked as a teacher before beginning to write her own books in 1974. 
 
Read all the Hairy Maclary and Friends books by Lynley Dodd! 
 
Hairy Maclary's Bone; Hairy Maclary Scattercat; Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper; Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet; Slinky Malinki; Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness; Slinky Malinki, Open the Door; Sniff-Snuff-Snap!; Schnitzel Von Krumm Forget-Me-Not; Slinky Malinki Catflaps; Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers; Hairy Maclary's Hat Tricks; Scarface Claw; Schnitzel Von Krumm, Dog's Never Climb Tress; Hairy Maclary, Sit; Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack; Magnet Fun with Hairy Maclary; Hairy Maclary, Shoo; Hairy Maclary and Friends Little Library; Slinky Malinki, Open the Door; Slinky Malinki Early Bird; Where is Hairy Maclary?; Sticker Fun with Hairy Maclary; My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes

Dodd's pictures are good, but the rhyming verse is even better - delightful to read aloud and soon learned by heart

(Hairy Maclary) is a child's best introduction to books

'Stop this shemozzle, this hullabaloo! Scarper, skedaddle, be off with you - shoo!' 
 
When Hairy Maclary decides to snoop inside a parked delivery van, he's in for a madcap adventure. After a rattling, roaring ride, and finding himself far from home, he desperately tries to get back to the Dairy - creating havoc and incurring the wrath of shopkeepers, schoolteachers and passers-by along the way. 
 
Has Hairy ever caused such mayhem? Thank goodness for Miss Plum, who once again steps in to save the day!

Lynley Dodd

Join Hairy Maclary and his friends on their first ever adventure in this golden 40th anniversary edition of the beloved rhyming classic! 
 
Hairy Maclary is off for a walk in town, and on the way he's joined by many furry friends of all shops and sizes, from Bottomley Potts (covered in spots) to Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum). But when they suddenly find themselves face-to-face with Scarface Claw - the toughest Tom in town - it's time to run all the way back home! 
 
The brilliantly clever rhyme and vivid, engaging pictures have made this story into a children's classic, beloved for over 40 years - and it's still one of the most popular picture books today. 
 
"Children will love looking at the detailed illustrations of each dog, and it's a great conversation starter around different words to describe how each dog looks and might feel" - The Evening Standard 
 
More Hairy Maclary classics: 
Hairy Maclary's Bone 
Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet 
Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness

Lynley Dodd

Books by Lynley Dodd

Series by Lynley Dodd

Hairy Maclary and Friends20 Books

Slinky Malinki1 Book

Articles featuring Lynley Dodd

The best classic children’s picture books

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