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Hairy Maclary #6
Slinky Malinki
From the creator of Hairy Maclary comes a new series starring a rascally cat named Slinky Malinki. “What was he up to? At night, to be brief, Slinky Malinki turned into a THIEF.” But by morning, Slinky comes to realize that crime doesn’t pay.This story spins off a character first introduced in HAIRY MACLARY SCATTERCAT. Previously available in the U.S. only in library binding.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
15 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Lynley Dodd
129 books152 followersDame Lynley Dodd is an internationally celebrated writer for children whose titles are highly regarded and much loved by her readers in New Zealand and around the world. Her stories are known for their lively sound qualities, curious animal characters, and the memorable illustrations that accompany the text. Lynley has received numerous awards, both for her writing and illustration, and in 2002 she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to children’s literature.
Lynley was a founding member of Bookrapt in 1983.
Lynley was a founding member of Bookrapt in 1983.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
October 13, 2019
Slinky Malinki is on the prowl at night looking for items to add to his heaping stash. He steals whatever he can find from slippers to teddy bears. One night he steals more than ever and gets busted by his human family.
All over town,
from basket and bowl,
he pilfered and pillaged,
he snitched and he stole.
Slippers and sausages,
biscuits and balloons,
brushes and bandages,
pencils and spoons.
This book is hilarious and the illustrations are perfect. What I love most about it though, is that it's great for young readers with the way the story rhymes and repeats, yet it's interesting and keeps your attention as well. Kids can't wait to find out how the story will end. This is one to keep.
5*****
All over town,
from basket and bowl,
he pilfered and pillaged,
he snitched and he stole.
Slippers and sausages,
biscuits and balloons,
brushes and bandages,
pencils and spoons.
This book is hilarious and the illustrations are perfect. What I love most about it though, is that it's great for young readers with the way the story rhymes and repeats, yet it's interesting and keeps your attention as well. Kids can't wait to find out how the story will end. This is one to keep.
5*****
September 3, 2011
‘Slinky Malinki was blacker than black a stalking and lurking adventurous cat.’ A great opening to an excellent rhyming story about a mischievous cat who spends the night ‘pilfering and pillaging’ from houses in the neighbourhood.
What I particularly like about this story is the use of language where everyday items like glue, pens and teddy bears are rhymed into a story and wrapped up with words that are unfamiliar or unusual but their meanings can be extracted, as quite often several words are used to describe an action. The illustrations are detailed and give the reader visual clues to the text and also display emotions and feelings particularly at the end of the story when you can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Slinky.
There is a chorus and key words and phrases that could be good for class participation. The book is fun, quite short, and the ending comes around slightly abruptly, but a great read none the less.
What I particularly like about this story is the use of language where everyday items like glue, pens and teddy bears are rhymed into a story and wrapped up with words that are unfamiliar or unusual but their meanings can be extracted, as quite often several words are used to describe an action. The illustrations are detailed and give the reader visual clues to the text and also display emotions and feelings particularly at the end of the story when you can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Slinky.
There is a chorus and key words and phrases that could be good for class participation. The book is fun, quite short, and the ending comes around slightly abruptly, but a great read none the less.
April 22, 2013
Probably my favourite out of Lynley Dodd's books for kids.
November 3, 2023
Book: Slinky Malinki
Author: Lynley Dodd
Genre: Picture books, Children’s Books
Recommend: Yes
Amount of Pages 32
My feelings:
I really enjoy children books.
And read them to my kids every night. But one thing I don't do it review them.
Why I don't know, but I decided it was time to start.
There isn't a book by Lynley Dodd I dislike. I mean seriously they are so funny! The original book’s are a classic that every person on the planet knows! Always recommending this author for children's books.
Author: Lynley Dodd
Genre: Picture books, Children’s Books
Recommend: Yes
Amount of Pages 32
My feelings:
I really enjoy children books.
And read them to my kids every night. But one thing I don't do it review them.
Why I don't know, but I decided it was time to start.
There isn't a book by Lynley Dodd I dislike. I mean seriously they are so funny! The original book’s are a classic that every person on the planet knows! Always recommending this author for children's books.
July 24, 2015
This was a fun read. Slinky Malinki is an adorable cat. by day is is fun and playful and at night his naughty, mischievous side appears and boy does this cause trouble!
I can just see a cat doing what he pulls in this book! It got quite the laugh out of me and the kids. if you have ever had a cat with a sneaky side, you can easily relate to this book to some degree. The drawings are good and engaging. My biggest problem is with what the cat takes. It just doesn't fit. I wish different items were chosen in place of a few of these. Some seemed random others too heavy for a cat. That and I don't see a cat changing it's ways so easily and neither did the kids. Otherwise, well done!
I can just see a cat doing what he pulls in this book! It got quite the laugh out of me and the kids. if you have ever had a cat with a sneaky side, you can easily relate to this book to some degree. The drawings are good and engaging. My biggest problem is with what the cat takes. It just doesn't fit. I wish different items were chosen in place of a few of these. Some seemed random others too heavy for a cat. That and I don't see a cat changing it's ways so easily and neither did the kids. Otherwise, well done!
October 15, 2015
Even better than Hairy Maclary. Recommended for the lovely sense of rhythm but also the rich language that Dodd doesn't shy away from. Favourite line: 'A tatty old sneaker, a smelly old sock and Jennifer Turkington's pottery smock'
October 24, 2017
I loved reading about this "rapscallion cat" and his naughty nightime adventures! This book just has to be read aloud no matter your age or audience or lack thereof! The rhyming language is truly delightful and the tone of the book is whimsical and fun.
September 5, 2024
A delightful book for children. My granddaughter and I loved the rhyming and the descriptive words.
April 22, 2020
🐱
Slinky Malinki
was blaker than black,
a stalking and lurking
adventurous cat.
He had bright yellow eyes,
a warbing wail
and a kink at the end
of his very long tail.
🐱
Slinky Malinki
was blaker than black,
a stalking and lurking
adventurous cat.
He had bright yellow eyes,
a warbing wail
and a kink at the end
of his very long tail.
🐱
September 28, 2009
Slinky Malinki may be "cheeky and cheerful," but he's a feline leading a double life. By night he turns into a thief, prowling the neighborhood for an odd assortment of goods. With words like "pilfering" and "rapscallion" embedded into the rhyming story, this is a great book for vocabulary development for preschool through grade 2. The list of stolen items drags on a bit, and some of the rhymes are a little forced, but overall this is a romping, rollicking tale.
September 20, 2015
This is a cute book. The rhythms and rhymes are enjoyable, and I think will charm a child. The illustrations are great. The author obviously has a good imagination and sense of humour, as well as the ability to translate them to a lovely book.
October 7, 2018
My housemate (Eleanor Abbott) read this book to me and it was great! I really enjoyed all the descriptive language and how you could visualise what slinky Malinki “prowling” through the night. It would be a great book to read to a class. For a ks1 class especially it would give them some great descriptive vocabulary.
December 11, 2020
I love Slinky Malinki and you cannot convince me otherwise. The rhyming is masterful, and while I suppose there is a lesson in there about resisting temptation and not doing bad things, I can't help being charmed by Slinky Malinki's mischievous little heart. What can I say? I like my protagonists a little bad.
August 4, 2025
Jaron loves it. Nice rhymes!
June 27, 2012
“Slinky Malinki
was blacker than black,
a stalking and lurking
adventurous cat.”
Told in rhyme, this is the story of Slinky Malinki, a cheeky and friendly cat by day, a master pilferer by night. Children will learn about rhythm and rhyme as they follow the hilarious antics of this rapscallion cat. The rich vocabulary of this book broadens its spectrum making it accessible to a larger audience. The hilarious illustrations will charm its audience. This book is entertaining and interactive with plenty of repetition to anticipate and join in with.
Slinky Malinki tells the story of a mischievous cat who by the end of the book decides against answering the call of the moon learns to keep out of trouble and stay home instead. Children are encouraged to participate and use skills of prediction when listening to Slinky Malinki, engaging with its rhythmic rhyming text. There is a wealth of grammatical issues including simile and onomatopoeia. Slinky Malinki also aids in an exploration concepts such as nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs
was blacker than black,
a stalking and lurking
adventurous cat.”
Told in rhyme, this is the story of Slinky Malinki, a cheeky and friendly cat by day, a master pilferer by night. Children will learn about rhythm and rhyme as they follow the hilarious antics of this rapscallion cat. The rich vocabulary of this book broadens its spectrum making it accessible to a larger audience. The hilarious illustrations will charm its audience. This book is entertaining and interactive with plenty of repetition to anticipate and join in with.
Slinky Malinki tells the story of a mischievous cat who by the end of the book decides against answering the call of the moon learns to keep out of trouble and stay home instead. Children are encouraged to participate and use skills of prediction when listening to Slinky Malinki, engaging with its rhythmic rhyming text. There is a wealth of grammatical issues including simile and onomatopoeia. Slinky Malinki also aids in an exploration concepts such as nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs
June 14, 2012
I must say that i love rhyming books! not only do they amuse children but more laughter is created when a verse ends with a rhyming word they weren't expecting to hear. The rhymes flow in a vividly manner bringing the story to life. The art does a very good job of showing what the characters and settings look like and offer a satisfying ending for the mischievous and thiefing cat.
It has since become not only one of my favourite books to read but a vast majority of my current Year 3 class. Perfect for reading at the end of a hard day!
It has since become not only one of my favourite books to read but a vast majority of my current Year 3 class. Perfect for reading at the end of a hard day!
October 5, 2018
This one is similar to Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, only this time, cats are on the prowl. More great sound effects and delightful pictures. I really wish our library had more of this series.
December 29, 2016
Was given this for my daughter. Having read a lot of poorly scanning children's books, it was a real joy to find one that read so nicely. Fun story - I don't recall reading this one as a child. I'm sure I'll be able to recite this in a month or so :)
July 14, 2009
fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!
August 23, 2018
Very cute. Reminds me of my sister's cat Stinky, who ALSO fits with the rhyme. Good rhyme, cute story, noting amazing. Will display for my pets storytime. 3+
May 2, 2018
This is the original Slinky Malinki book my mom had brought home from England for my children when they were little. We had a wonderful black cat at the time and he was an indoor-outdoor cat, named Johnny, who looked like Slinky Malinki. We always wondered what he was up to when he was out and about and when the kids were little, he'd frequently stay out all night and return to us in the morning for food, love and sleep. Since then, I've been surprised that the series has never really caught on in America. There are plenty of us cat lovers here after all.
Regardless, if you're looking for children's books with cats as the main characters, Slinky Malinki is a fun series to explore. The illustrations are fun and colorful and the story has plenty of descriptive language they may not have heard before. It helped expand and develop my kids' vocabulary.
He was cheeky and cheerful,
friendly and fun,
he'd chase after leaves
and he'd roll in the sun.
But at night he was wicked
and fiendish and sly.
Through moonlight and shadow
he'd prowl and he'd pry. (Slinky Malinki, pgs. 4-6)
Slinky Malinki ends up getting caught in the midst of his naughtiness and experiences the embarrassment and shame of his bad behavior. The illustrations capture his reaction to being caught so well and surely children everywhere can relate to being caught doing something they weren't supposed to do but enjoyed doing a bit to much.
As we discover, if were read more books about Slinky Malinki's adventures, this isn't the end of his fun, but taking a long break as a consequence of trouble-making is made clear in a way kids can potentially better understand than when it happens to them in their own lives.
Regardless, if you're looking for children's books with cats as the main characters, Slinky Malinki is a fun series to explore. The illustrations are fun and colorful and the story has plenty of descriptive language they may not have heard before. It helped expand and develop my kids' vocabulary.
He was cheeky and cheerful,
friendly and fun,
he'd chase after leaves
and he'd roll in the sun.
But at night he was wicked
and fiendish and sly.
Through moonlight and shadow
he'd prowl and he'd pry. (Slinky Malinki, pgs. 4-6)
Slinky Malinki ends up getting caught in the midst of his naughtiness and experiences the embarrassment and shame of his bad behavior. The illustrations capture his reaction to being caught so well and surely children everywhere can relate to being caught doing something they weren't supposed to do but enjoyed doing a bit to much.
As we discover, if were read more books about Slinky Malinki's adventures, this isn't the end of his fun, but taking a long break as a consequence of trouble-making is made clear in a way kids can potentially better understand than when it happens to them in their own lives.
April 17, 2018
Slinky Malinky by Lynley Dodd is a children’s book about a very mischievous black cat. He’s playful and fun during the day, but at night he sneaks out and turns into a thief. He steals things from neighbors, drags them home and puts them in a huge pile at his house. The pile falls over and wakes up his family who accuse him of stealing and return everything to its owners. The book is beautifully illustrated, very descriptive and rhymes so children want it read to them over and over which is a strength of this story especially for early elementary grades like Kindergarten because the students would be able to hear the phenomes and the words that rhyme which would improve their reading fluency. However, it would be more interesting if the cat wasn’t cured after just one scolding. But, too much detail would probably make the book too long to keep really young kids’ attention!
May 2, 2025
‘Slinky Malinki
was blacker than black,
a stalking and lurking
adventurous cat.
By day Slinky Malinki is an adventurous cat, cheeky and cheerful, friendly and fun. But at night he becomes a thief, stealing everything from squishy bananas to milk bottles and pottery smocks.
Slinky Malinki steals anything from a clothes peg to a slipper, to a string of sausages, to a clock! Our hero is a BAD cat! Will nothing stop him?
His crimes become ever more daring, until one rascally night between midnight and four, Slinky Malinki steals MORE than before . . .’
I adored this book.
After reading Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary I was excited to read Slinky Malinki, the very first adventure of the rapscallion cat in Lynley Dodd’s famous Hairy Maclary and Friends series. And I am happy to say it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.
I can remember reading Slinky Malinki as a child so I was excited to re-read it as an adult. I loved the wonderful rhyming prose and the stunning illustrations that brought the story to life. On top of that, I got a large hit of nostalgia while reading this book.
Following Slinky Malinki on his midnight stealing spree made for some truly laugh-out-loud moments for me so I can only imagine the joy that reading this wonderful story will bring to young readers and their families as they follow the fiendish black cat on his late-night adventures.
Lynley Dodd has done a fantastic job with this book. The story was fun and captivating, the writing was lyrical and enthralling and the illustrations were perfect and added a whole new level to this already wonderful little book.
Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd is a must-have for all young readers and their families.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
was blacker than black,
a stalking and lurking
adventurous cat.
By day Slinky Malinki is an adventurous cat, cheeky and cheerful, friendly and fun. But at night he becomes a thief, stealing everything from squishy bananas to milk bottles and pottery smocks.
Slinky Malinki steals anything from a clothes peg to a slipper, to a string of sausages, to a clock! Our hero is a BAD cat! Will nothing stop him?
His crimes become ever more daring, until one rascally night between midnight and four, Slinky Malinki steals MORE than before . . .’
I adored this book.
After reading Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary I was excited to read Slinky Malinki, the very first adventure of the rapscallion cat in Lynley Dodd’s famous Hairy Maclary and Friends series. And I am happy to say it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.
I can remember reading Slinky Malinki as a child so I was excited to re-read it as an adult. I loved the wonderful rhyming prose and the stunning illustrations that brought the story to life. On top of that, I got a large hit of nostalgia while reading this book.
Following Slinky Malinki on his midnight stealing spree made for some truly laugh-out-loud moments for me so I can only imagine the joy that reading this wonderful story will bring to young readers and their families as they follow the fiendish black cat on his late-night adventures.
Lynley Dodd has done a fantastic job with this book. The story was fun and captivating, the writing was lyrical and enthralling and the illustrations were perfect and added a whole new level to this already wonderful little book.
Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd is a must-have for all young readers and their families.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
November 5, 2018
I actually read this book for the first time (since I was a child) out loud to my housemate. I tend never to read picture books out loud at the moment and interestingly it made the experience much more fun. Something never to forget when reflecting upon the use of picture books as it can change the way you look at them.
Slinky Malinki was a personal favourite of mine as a child as the rhyming and mischievous nature makes you want to keep turning the pages. It is a great way to easily get children to begin remembering lines as the rhythm is so fun.
Best used in a KS1 class to develop their descriptive vocabulary and approach rhyming words.
Slinky Malinki was a personal favourite of mine as a child as the rhyming and mischievous nature makes you want to keep turning the pages. It is a great way to easily get children to begin remembering lines as the rhythm is so fun.
Best used in a KS1 class to develop their descriptive vocabulary and approach rhyming words.
October 6, 2021
Slinky Malinki becomes a thief by night. He steals anything and everything he can get his paws on, from slippers to sausages. Eventually Slinky’s greed takes over which leads to his criminal downfall.
Slinky’s human family discover all of his stolen goods and proceed to return them back to their original owners. Now disgraced Slinky Malinki turns his back on his life of crime.
-
I really enjoyed this read. The illustrations were beautiful and the rhyming was a perfect addition to the story. I love how the author didn’t hold back on the vocabulary and used words like “rapscallion” and “pilfered”.
I would definitely recommend and I am excited to read more from the series.
Slinky’s human family discover all of his stolen goods and proceed to return them back to their original owners. Now disgraced Slinky Malinki turns his back on his life of crime.
-
I really enjoyed this read. The illustrations were beautiful and the rhyming was a perfect addition to the story. I love how the author didn’t hold back on the vocabulary and used words like “rapscallion” and “pilfered”.
I would definitely recommend and I am excited to read more from the series.
June 7, 2024
Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd, c. 1990.
From the creator of Hairy Maclary comes a new series starring a rascally cat named Slinky Malinki. “What was he up to? At night, to be brief, Slinky Malinki turned into a THIEF.” But by morning, Slinky comes to realize that crime doesn’t pay.
Another hilarious rhyming book by Lynley Dodd. Your toddlers and early readers will love the captivating pictures, repetition and rhyme, and fun adventures of this slinky black cat.
Here are some of the series starring Slinky:
Slinky Malinki, Open the Door
Slinky Malinki Catflaps
Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers.
From the creator of Hairy Maclary comes a new series starring a rascally cat named Slinky Malinki. “What was he up to? At night, to be brief, Slinky Malinki turned into a THIEF.” But by morning, Slinky comes to realize that crime doesn’t pay.
Another hilarious rhyming book by Lynley Dodd. Your toddlers and early readers will love the captivating pictures, repetition and rhyme, and fun adventures of this slinky black cat.
Here are some of the series starring Slinky:
Slinky Malinki, Open the Door
Slinky Malinki Catflaps
Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers.
November 21, 2018
The fun loving Slinky Malinki was cheeky and cheerful, friendly and fun during the day, but at night he became wicked and fiendish and sly. During the dark hiding in the shadows, Slinky Malinki was a thief, who stole things, and drugged them back to his house on the hill. What will it take to cure Slinky Malinki of his criminal ways?
November 26, 2018
An amazing book. It was so fun to read out loud. I love the word choices. It is a perfect example of a picture book having high vocabulary!
Ex. " Then Slinky Malinki, rapscallion cat" (pg 23)
"He pilfered and pillaged , he snitched and he stole."(pg 11)
Thank you Ashley Young for recommending this book!
Ex. " Then Slinky Malinki, rapscallion cat" (pg 23)
"He pilfered and pillaged , he snitched and he stole."(pg 11)
Thank you Ashley Young for recommending this book!
October 19, 2020
From the creator of Hairy Maclary comes a new series starring a rascally cat named Slinky Malinki.
What was he up to? At night, to be brief, Slinky Malinki turned into a THIEF.
But by morning, Slinky comes to realize that crime doesn't pay.
This story spins off a character first introduced in 'HAIRY MACLARY SCATTERCAT'.
What was he up to? At night, to be brief, Slinky Malinki turned into a THIEF.
But by morning, Slinky comes to realize that crime doesn't pay.
This story spins off a character first introduced in 'HAIRY MACLARY SCATTERCAT'.
November 19, 2022
Fun rhymes about a cat turned thief in the night. The lists of items stolen are particularly detailed and amusing: "slippers and sausages, / biscuits, balloons, / brushes and bandages, / pencils and spoons."
The lists get more specific to names in the neighborhood. Who can resist a tale that uses the word "rapscallion" to describe the cat! And a happy ending for all.
The lists get more specific to names in the neighborhood. Who can resist a tale that uses the word "rapscallion" to describe the cat! And a happy ending for all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews