THE TRAVELLING BOOKSHOP - MIM AND THE DISASTROUS DOG SHOW BY KATRINA NANNESTAD & ILLUSTRATED BY CHERYL ORSINI

The Travelling Bookshop is on the move again, and this time the Cohen family arrive in a quaint English village just in time for the Puddling Muddlebury Dog Show. They set up their caravan near the village green and open for business. One of their visitors is Lord Melville-Timms and his incredibly headstrong English Bulldog, Bubbles. When he is asked to fill in at the last minute, as a judge for the dog show, he is delighted to help out. Unfortunately, judging also includes his Lordship and Bubbles opening the obedience trials with a glorious display of skill. Lord Melville-Timms is a very worried man. Will the books chosen for him actually help? It’s hard to say.

 Katrina Nannestad’s Travelling Bookshop series is a delightful journey into the joy of imagination and the magical power of books. With flying sheep, expanding caravans and quirky characters, the reader is invited in for a time, to this extraordinary world. Mim’s narration gives the reader a cautious perspective and shows her gentle appreciation for the inner workings of her father’s mind. Little Nat, her brother, is always in the thick of the action and this time is obsessed with the letter C. Holding them all together, her father has a love of adventure that includes a fair amount of make-believe.

 The themes of family, adapting, the environment and taking time to appreciate the simple things in life flow through this story. It is filled with colourful characters and funny situations. The story draws you in from the beginning as any reader of the series would agree. It’s always fun to see what books Mim’s father chooses for his visitors and how such obscure titles could possibly be of use.

 The illustrations by Cheryl Orsini add so much to the narrative. From picnics on top of the caravan, to dog breeds and cardboard cars, the characters come alive with all their eccentricities and fun adventures. Middle Grade readers will enjoy this next instalment.

 For Ages: 7-12 years

Number of Pages: 256

Published: March 2023 Harper Collins

Themes: Family, Imagination and adapting

Purchase here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/mim-and-the-disastrous-dog-show-the-travelling-bookshop-4--katrina-nannestad/book/9780733342240.html