Rover and the Big Fat Baby

The Rover Adventures #4

by Roddy Doyle

The BFB (Big Fat Baby) is missing! Can Rover the wonder dog and his little nephew Messi (who is actually very tidy) track her down? While Rover and co. are hot on the trail of the BFB, via Granny Mack's backpack, the post lady's basket and a plane bound for Africa, it looks like the Gigglers are about to run out of poo . . . and without an urgent delivery from Rover, how will they be able to give the Giggler Treatment to grumpy adults and help kids all over the country? Rover returns for another adventure in this illustrated series by Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle.

Genres: Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2018

About the author

Roddy Doyle (Irish: Ruaidhrí Ó Dúill) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. He won the Booker Prize in 1993.

Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.

Reviews

[Ken French · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids loved this series when they were little, especially The Giggler Treatment. So when I heard there was a new one, I was curious. I was disappointed, however. Too much repetition (I know that's part of how Doyle tells the story, but it was maddening after a while) and not enough of the human characters. The reason the first book is the best is because of the interplay between the humans, the Gigglers, and Rover. This time it's almost all Rover and the story suffers because of that.

[Carol Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this while on vacation in Ireland. Started. Stopped. Started. Stopped. Noticed three things: those two and how I did kinda like the lilting tone and how much I thought kids would like hearing this silly little book. Not my favorite Doyle by a long shot but fun and silly. PS: I like Messi had that falling down. Nappies!

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rover and his nephew must save his owner's grandchild, the Big Fat Baby, when she is accidentally thrown through the window.

Doyle lays out a perfectly bizarre tale which works best when read aloud. Not designed to be read in public unless accompanied by a (preferably small) child.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol!
Roddy Doyle does not disappoint. This is a brilliant follow-up to the Giggler-trilogy!
I would love to read more....

[John of Canada · Rating 3 out of 5]

They grow up so fast.A grandchild already?I enjoyed this,but I really missed the original artist.

[Fiona Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my 8 year old son because he’s loved all the Rover books so far - this one was no exception! Plenty of “giggles” throughout.

[LudmilaM · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Imaginative and funny, but I missed the original illustrations from previous Rover books.

[Andrew Mcq · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are a very entertaining series of books, but this one felt a little less fresh than the others - the funniest aspects were all returning gags, and the madcap pace seemed less relentless.

[Stuart · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter rated this 3 stars. I rate it one.
I couldn’t wait to finish it. I haven’t read the rest of the books in the series but it wasn’t so much the storyline as the actual way of writing that annoyed me.

Reading this book out loud is awkward and dull. It doesn’t help it’s all about “poo”. I find the author trying to be too clever by talking to the reader. This doesn’t work when reading aloud to your child.