Daggie Dogfoot

The story of Daggie, the small, weak piglet, born with a deformity, could be maudlin and sentimental, but Dick King-Smith is a writer with energy and humour. Daggie's exploits in learning to swim and to fly are splendidly paced, and there's some memorable characters here in Felicity the Duck. Mrs Barleylove and the 'Pigman'. The story read aloud well to seven-to-nines. Those going it alone will find Mary Rayner's illustrations an added pleasure. This, and the same writer's The Fox Busters, offer good material for reading and talking in classrooms. Basic stock for the bookshop as well (though the cover is not so immediately appealing as in the hardback edition and you may need to 'sell' it).