Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends
Publisher: Puffin Books
When Bea and her mum move in with Grandma and Grandpa, Bea meets some tiny dogs living in the garden! They are so sweet, and they can even talk! They are Bea’s first new friends in the area.
They have to stay secret, or they’ll be found and displayed in a cage. Bea promises to keep them safe. But the fearsome neighbour Mrs Thistlewort, head of the neighbourhood committee, is determined that their messy, overgrown garden will be ripped out and replaced with a patio. Bea has one week to clear up the garden. Can she protect her new friends’ home?
A charming story about being kind and appreciating nature. This will appeal to nature lovers and animal lovers alike, as the importance of having a natural garden is central to the plot. The theme of being brave enough to sometimes speak up also runs through the story, as Bea is shy with most people.
Readers who have recently moved on to chapter books will find the concept of tiny dogs and the delightful colour artwork (also by Rose Lihou) very appealing. This is the first in a charming new series.