Dogger: the much-loved children’s classic

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BBC and Sky scramble to make on-air apologies for broadcasting Dominic Cummings' expletive-filled Covid inquiry appearance uncensored (but furious viewers blast them for saying sorry while ex-No10 aide gave evidence) Children will relish this warm tale of everyday life with illustrations overflowing with colour and vitality. Hughes, best known for the Alfie series - about a boy called Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose - and children's picture book Dogger, died 'peacefully at home' on February 25. Sir Michael added: 'She is also a national treasure to parents, because many millions of them too have grown up with Shirley Hughes, and are now passing on their affection for her stories, her characters and her illustration, to their own children. BookTrust's first Lifetime Achievement Award could not be more richly deserved.' Sir Michael Morpurgo, writer of children's novel War Horse, said she 'must have began the reading lives of so many millions'. Meanwhile Sir Philip Pullman said no other illustrator was 'ever loved as much'.

Her early work included illustrations for Dorothy Edwards' My Naughty Little Sister, with the first picture book she created being Lucy And Tom's Day in 1960. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

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Expressed in few words, the realisation that Dogger has gone dawns slowly on Dave, which avoids the need for that dreaded word ‘Suddenly’. The slow realisation fosters more empathy, somehow: Sir Philip said: 'Shirley Hughes was admired, enjoyed, talked about, listened to, read, looked at, thought about as much as any other illustrator has ever been; but no other illustrator, I can say for certain, was ever loved as much.'

I had almost forgotten just how good this is. Shirley Hughes manages to tread that fine line between emotionally affecting and twee without ever falling into the cutesy pie. Hughes’ characters, too, have a ‘homely’ look to them. Even the faces of the children are rendered with inky lines that almost makes them look like old people. Hughes was definitely not a part of the new media trend, in which it is thought that children are drawn irresistibly towards characters with big eyes. What stands out to me reading this story from 1977, the height of second wave feminism, is that the character of Bella — apart from her feminine name and use of ‘her’ — looks no different from a boy. Comparing Bella to modern depictions of girlhood in picture books, today’s young readers are used to the convention that girls must look a certain way: They’ll probably be wearing an article of clothing that is pink. If represented by animals, the female animals will have heavier eyelashes, redder lips or a bow on their head. Yet apart from pink pyjamas, Bella is dressed androgynously — her femaleness is not important to the story — she is first and foremost a kindly older sibling, and I really appreciate this about the character. When Dave loses his favourite toy, Dogger, he is very sad. But when Dogger turns up on a stall at the garden fete, everything seems all right - until someone else buys him before Dave can get the money! Dogger is Dave’s special toy. He is soft, brown and worn in places, with one ear pointing up and the other flopping down. One day, after collecting his big sister Bella from school, watching the flags go up for the summer fair and enjoying ice-creams on the way home, Dave realises that Dogger is missing. The whole family searches for him, but Dogger is nowhere to be found. Dave is subdued when they visit the fair the following day, until remarkably he spots Dogger for sale on a toy stall. However, he is devasted when his beloved toy is sold to another child, but a selfless act of kindness from Bella ensures that all ends well. Tributes flooded in for writer, with fans remembering the 'stories of our childhood' that 'will continue forever'A truly outstanding story which I have shared with my own children, with many children I have taught , and now with my grandchildren. It has lost none of its appeal over the years but continues to delight. Tributes flooded in for the legendary writer and artist this morning, with fans remembering the 'stories of our childhood' that 'will continue forever'. It is therefore a cause for much dismay when after collecting his sister Bella from school, Dave realises that Dogger is no longer with him. In fact, he has no idea where he is! Despite Bella’s kindness in lending him a teddy, nothing can replace Dogger.

This book I would use from year one up to year, adapting the range of questions that I would asked based on the year group. I found in this book that you could ask questions about feelings and get the children to empathise with the characters. As an extension exercise in literacy I would get the children to write an alternate ending to the story and give other suggestions as to what could have happened to 'dogger'. Her family said in a statement: 'Shirley's books about everyday family life are adored by generations of families and she is held in the highest esteem by her peers.' One of my favourite children's books. It made me feel so warm and fuzzy after, I wish I had a sibling who would have done that for me! Shirley Hughes is one of the best known and most popular creators of children's books of all time. She began to write and design her own picture books when her children were very young because she felt there was a gap in this form of literature. She is my favourite children's author, I read her books as a child, I have read them to my own children and I intend to read them to my own class. One of my favourites is the story of a soft brown toy called Dogger. Dogger belongs to a young boy called Dave who takes him everywhere with him. But one day Dogger gets lost and Dave is left really really upset and unable to sleep without him. The next day Dave and his family go to the school fair where Dave sees Dogger on sale for 5p, but he doesn't have enough money and is left heart broken when Dogger is bought by a little girl. His big sister comes to the rescue and swaps a giant teddy for her brothers Dogger, making Dave a very very happy little boy. A fantastic novel to share with children of all ages and a great discussion starter on the importance of kindness. Her family said the writer had 'gained an enormous amount of pleasure from reading your messages' and asked for people to share their favourite stories or pictures she created.Author Mr Rosen tweeted: 'Shirley Hughes has gone. Long live wonderful, lovely Shirley. You've delighted and moved us for years and years and years and will go on doing so.' We love Shirley Hughes books and this is a particular favourite of my my 4yr old daughters. A child's favourite toy going missing is something that all children can relate to. Just gorgeous We know printing lots of resources for your children can be costly so be sure to look for our eco-friendly, ink-saving versions to keep your printing costs as low as possible - plus they’re kinder to the environment too! Dogger by Shirley Hughes