I don't know how many times I've read Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. Even now, 19 years after I first opened the pages of Lynley Dodd's marvellous children's picture book, I am word perfect.
"Out of the gate, and off for a walk, went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson'sDairy." The rhythm and the use of fabulous words, as well as the distinctive characters, made the book an instant favourite. When my daughter was teething, the thing that settled her more than anything else was me walking up and down the hall reciting Hairy Maclary over and over again. It's a tribute to the magic of the book that I never once got tired of it.
I was able to indulge my inner performer by putting on different voices for each of the canine characters and, when we got to the page before Scarface Claw made his appearance, the delicious anticipation just about killed the two of us, even though we knew exactly what was going to happen.
Now Hairy's turned 25 and a whole new generation of little ones is growing up and learning to love the magic of words, thanks to Lynley Dodd.
I have the entire dog-eared set on my shelves and I can't wait to have the opportunity to be transported again into Hairy Maclary's world.
