Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog

This comedy story, about an adorable sausage dog in a fabulous waistcoat, is an inspiring lesson about resilience and how to come back from failure.

Michael knows that he is special: not every dog is capable of reading minds, after all! It seems only right that such a remarkable talent should be rewarded with fame and fortune and a permanent residency in ‘Hollywoof’. Yet Michael struggles for fans and has to make do with one loyal sidekick – Stanley – whose answer to almost any problem seems to be, ‘I don’t mind eating more sausages.’

Despite Stanley’s help, Michael suffers a series of setbacks. His town of Snuffles-by-Sea already has a resident superstar in the shape of Susan the Chocolate Labrador and her amazing peanut-balancing skills. Susan is not terribly keen on Michael’s efforts to muscle in on her showbiz turf and she is quick to belittle his efforts. Bored crowds give Michael the cold shoulder and only a chance encounter with Stanley’s uncle – a Hollywoof big-time – gives him another chance.

Michael’s talent is genuine but can’t protect him from the cut-throat life of show-business and only his dogged determination and friendship with Stanley stop him from giving up. The book’s powerful message about perseverance and self-belief is delivered through a series of funny catastrophes that Michael must recover from. Stanley is the biggest contributor to the comedy. He has a loveable, clueless approach to life that plays on what children love about dogs in real life. There are more laughs to be had from a huge amount of word play, too. In fact, there are almost too many doggy puns to enjoy (‘puppachino’, anyone?)!

Children will enjoy the book’s setting; a world where dogs chat in coffee houses and host entertainment shows. They will certainly fall for Michael’s endearing act and approach to life, and many will be pleased to see that the book leaves space for more of Michael’s adventures to be described in future episodes.