Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. Sara Ogilvie is an award-winning illustrator and printmaker who won the 2011 Booktrust Best New Illustrator Award. The first picture book that she illustrated, Dogs Don't Do Ballet, was also shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
The NHS and dogs; each keeps the nation’s heart beating. Trust Julia Donaldson, the rhymetastic author . . . to put the two together in a story that barks to our age. [P]aired with the supremely talented Sara Ogilvie . . . whose beautiful, humorous ink drawings match perfectly the bounding words. [T]he rhymes fly, the heart jumps. It’s guaranteed to give children and parents the literary equivalent of a giant welcome home wag. -- Alex O'Connell, Children's Book of the Week * The Times * The verse skips along as cheerfully as Dot on her way round Wallaby Ward. -- Imogen Carter * Observer * This is a truly wonderful book. The story is told in rhyming couplets which are delicious to read aloud and share with children. The bright illustrations are full of life, warmth, expression and tiny details that make this a wonderful book to come back to again and again. There’s always something new to see! The illustrations are inclusive in terms of ethnicity and disability which make this a brilliant book for all to read. * BookTrust *