The Armadillo Who Came For Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joêlle Dreidemy
Little Tiger

The latest creature to win the affection of Hotpot in this sixth book featuring the unlikely friends, Wolf, Hotpot and Omelette rolls up one summer’s afternoon when the three are enjoying a relaxing picnic. Having sent the rest of their food flying every which way, what appears to be a boulder crashes into a tree. Surprised at hearing what she thinks is inanimate, crying “Ouch!”, Hotpot goes over to investigate and offer a sympathetic hug. Somewhat disgruntled at having been addressed as Mr Boulder, the thing tells Hotpot that it’s an armadillo – a tough one at that. The tough armadillo’s response to Hotpot’s ‘What’s your name?” is a rather wobbly “I’m … Dizzy.” This prompts Wolf to invite ‘Dizzy’ home with them for dinner and some TLC.

The following morning Dizzy is much better; not so Wolf’s house; that’s a real mess on account of Dizzy’s roly-poly sleeping. Once again Hotpot offers a hug but Dizzy turns her down saying, “I don’t need hugs!” Instead they head outside for a game of football. Dizzy proves surprisingly adept at soccer but having kicked the ball with considerable force,

it goes missing and instead the friends head off to the fair, accompanied by a very enthusiastic Dizzy. So excited is the armadillo that he wrecks the fair and receives a good telling off from Badger. Suddenly Dizzy’s exuberance is gone and off he goes towards some trees.

Is that the last the others will see of the armadillo or will he, as Wolf reassures Hotpot, come back? And if so, what of that oft-refused hug?

Joëlle’s illustrations be they panels, double spread scenes or vignettes exude warmth and gentle humour making every turn of the page a delight and the ideal accompaniment to Steve’s text wherein he makes clever use of alliteration. Those familiar with previous titles in this series will welcome the return of Wolf et al. but equally, anyone new to the threesome will thoroughly enjoy their armadillo adventure.