Tag Jack Kurland

The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect

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The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect
Jack Kurland
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

This is the second book by author/illustrator Jack Kurland and this time it features a pooch (mainly). Meet dachshund Doris, a dog that is perfect in everything she does – skateboarding, swimming, stick fetching, squirrel chasing and lots more besides.
Each morning she wakes Bill, fetches his favourite slippers and then the two go for a walk, whatever the weather. After this Doris would do a new trick – perfectly as you might expect. But then one morning, disaster! Doris discovers she’s bitten a huge hole in one of Bill’s slippers. Panic! How will he react? Doris decides that there’s only one way to deal with this: off she dashes and hides the evidence so that nobody will ever know what she’s done. Or will they? Up comes another dog wanting to know what Doris is doing,

followed by several others all saying that they’ve done things much worse: one neighbourhood hound gobbled a large part of the sofa, another stole a string of sausages, a third caused a fire. Having heard all these confessions Doris hurries back to Bill and explains about the slipper and Bill is of course, ready to forgive her.

This engaging tale ends with a fun visual twist that will delight young listeners, and at the same time, remind them (and adult readers aloud) that we do not need to be perfect to be loved.

The Cat who Couldn’t Be Bothered

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The Cat who Couldn’t Be Bothered
Jack Kurland
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (First Editions)

Greg, at least that’s what his feline friends call him, has no wish to do anything at all. He seems totally disengaged and turns down each offer made to join in with what could be a fun or exciting activity. So, it’s no to chasing a string ball, no thanks to a party,

joining an exploration doesn’t appeal and as for going to Mars, it’s a case of ‘I can’t be bothered.’

Then one of his moggy pals asks the all important, ‘What’s up, Greg?’ and eventually our Greg calls for all their suggestions to cease. He goes on to explain the reason behind his naysaying of all their offers. His empathetic friends then proceed to demonstrate just how much they understand.

The author’s narrative, both written and visual conveys simply and beautifully Greg’s friends’ learning journey. It’s an important life lesson: rather than making assumptions or imposing an idea on a friend, be there, listen and only then respond to their needs.

We all feel sad from time to time and this book shows the importance of understanding and doing nothing together. Definitely a book to share with a group or class and an excellent way in to a circle time discussion on responding to emotions. I wonder what they will make of the story’s final twist.