Kipper and Roly

Kipper the Dog

by Mick Inkpen

Kipper buys a hamster--Roly--as a birthday present for Pig, but he grows to love the hamster so much that he does not want to give it away.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Dogs

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Mick Inkpen is one of the most popular author/illustrators in the world. His books have sold over 4 million copies, and have been translated into over twenty different languages. His best-loved characters are probably Kipper and Wibbly Pig – who are both stars of their very own TV series!

He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”

Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.

He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.

In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”

Reviews

[Lewis Garrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic character arch, twist at the end is so unexpected.

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I feel a bit bad for my three year old because we read her a lot of books that are a bit too old for her. And I think she likes them! But when we find one like this that is cute, but engaging and totally age appropriate, she is SO excited. She could read this story all day and night. She just loves it so we will definitely be getting more Kipper books from the library. But I enjoyed it too. The contraption Kipper builds for Roly is fun and right out of the head of a kid, and the fact that the friends sacrifice for eachothers benefit is sweet and well done. Happy to check out more in the series!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kipper received Pig’s birthday party invitation, he went shopping for a present for him. Because Pig wanted a pet Kipper picked out what he thought he would like. The problem is that Kipper enjoyed the pet so much that he wanted it for himself, but he took it to Pig, anyway. Pig received so many pets that he had to ask Kipper for help. This is a sweet story nicely illustrated.

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could never be Kipper. If it were me, I would buy Pig something else, I take pet compatibility very seriously :)))

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this episode, so I loved this book. I just find the illustrations so cute. And I can hear all the voices in their British accents. If I'd never seen the show, I probably wouldn't think as highly of these. But I do. And I smile with each page. I don't like this one for a storytime as much as I do the other one that I pulled off the shelf. I'm still glad I got to read it. Now I'm in a Kipper mood and must go home to watch some on Netflix.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2 year old granddaughter and I have read several Kipper books, actually all that our library has. And this one is our favorite. Wonderfully written and storyline a fun one to follow! Pig is having a birthday party and sends out invitations and a wish list. Kipper goes and buys him a hamster but has such a fun time with him he almost doesn't give him to Pig. But in the end Pig does something very nice for Kipper. Just a fun 'friendship' "caring' "sharing" book for children.

[Trish Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the Kipper books (like the series) are excellently written. The images are simple for young eyes to capture the essential details and the text is a good size and simple to follow without being dumbed-down. Kipper stories are always fun, humorous, and they show Kipper to be a good friend who can laugh, but is not mean. I still love Kipper, even though my daughter has grown. He is curious and gentle. Thank you, Mick Inkpen!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My three year old ADORES Kipper. I adore Kipper's imagination and the creative play that ensues in each story. In this particular book, the obstical course that Kipper builds for Roly is a favorite and has encouraged similar play in the "real world."

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story about the much acclaimed Kipper. He buys a hamster for his friend Pig's birthday but soon discover he would much rather keep the precocious creature.

Typical cartoony illustrations.

[Rose]

E Ink

[Lumi / Otso · Rating 5 out of 5]

not the adults' favorite but lumi loves it.

[Audrey]

JJ INK