Spud

What happens when you know something is going on behind your back, and you just cannot work out what? Spud enjoys living with Mrs Piffey, but she plans to go to Turkey and does not explain to him in advance what will happen. First of all, Spud thinks he is going to eat some turkey for a treat, but then he is farmed out to a minder who is due to look after him. A trail of disastrous and very funny consequences follow, with Spud going from one minder to another in quick succession. The person he least expects to look after him well turns out to be the most sympathetic. Children will identify easily with Spud's predicaments, and the illustrations by Sheppard lend well to the humour of the story. This is a book that children and adults will enjoy, although the rather more earthy elements of humour will be enjoyed more by some children than by others.