Hairy Maclary is a fictitious Skye Terrier, the anti-hero of many books written for children. The character was created by the New Zealand author Lynley Dodd. Hairy made his first appearance in 1983 with the publication of Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy[1]. Since then there have been a further eleven books about him, and a further nine about his friends[1]. The series has sold over five million copies worldwide[1]. His adventures are usually in the company of his other animal friends who include the dachshund Schnitzel von Krumm, dalmatian Bottomley Potts, Old English sheepdog Muffin McClay and Scarface Claw the manic cat.
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Plots
The plots of the Hairy Maclary books are generally simple, in keeping with the comprehension of the age group for which they are ranged. They generally involve Hairy and his friends in adventurous scenarios pitched against local cats, with an implication that the cats are more clever. Hairy Maclary's character could be said to equate to that of William Brown in the well known books by Richmal Crompton.
Educational value
While the books are lavishly illustrated by the author, there is also large-print text to encourage small children to read. In the "Caterwaul Caper", Hairy Maclary's arch enemy Scarface Claw becomes stuck in a tree, and the dreadful noise he makes alerts Hairy Maclary and his friends to his predicament:
-
- "Wrowwww-w-w-w-w-w-
- said Scarface Claw
- The din was so awful
- that up hill and down
- you could hear the CACOPHONY
- all over the town"
Books In The Series
- Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy (1983)[1]
- Hairy Maclary's Bone (1984)
- Hairy Maclary Scattercat (1985)
- Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper (1987)
- Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet (1989)
- Slinky Malinki (1990)
- Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness (1991)
- Schnitzel von Krumm’s Basketwork (1994)
- Schnitzel von Krumm Forget-Me-Not (1996)
- Slinky Malinki Catflaps (1998)
- Hairy Maclary, Sit (1997)
- Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack (1999)
- Scarface Claw (2001)
- Schnitzel von Krumm, Dogs Never Climb Trees (2002)
- Zachary Quack Minimonster (2005)
- Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers (2006)
- Hairy Maclary's Hat Tricks (2007)
External links
References
- ^ a b c d Fiona Terry. "Times Online: Interview with Lynley Dodd". Times Newspapers Ltd.. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/children/article4484685.ece. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
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