Pugly bakes a cake by Pamela Butchart

Ill. by Gemma Correll. Nosy Crow, 2016. ISBN 9780857635990
(Age: Yr 1 - Yr 4) I guess we all know that pugs are pretty cute (and pretty fashionable) right now. If I hadn't got a toy poodle myself I probably would have got a pug - although my eccentric teaching colleague who had a wardrobe of outfits for hers and attended all the 'pug parties' in Brisbane at one time did kind of put me off a little.
Moving right along, newly independent readers are going to love this book. It's a HOOT! Last night I read this aloud straight through to The Divine Miss M who is having a sleepover and she thought it was great! She was able to predict and infer as I read which was pretty impressive as well.
Pugly and his rival Clem (Clementine) the cat are rivals for the undivided attention of their owner Maddy who is eight years old. Being a pug (no offence to pug owners), Pugly is not the sharpest knife in the drawer and Clem can very easily put it over him. Especially as Pugly's only ally is Clive the fish - and Pugly doesn't speak or understand fish-bubble. Inspired Pugly decides he is going to the first dog to ever bake a cake and thus win paws down 'The Great British Bake Off', be on TV and meet the Queen (as you do when you're famous). This plan will seal his status as Maddy's favourite pet he is sure. However, with Clem 'advising' him chaos reigns in the kitchen and elsewhere, as Pugly heeds all Clem's ideas, goes mental at the Evil Squirrel outside on the fence and more.
This is a laugh a minute book and not only proved a terrific read aloud (took about half an hour or so) but perfect for those readers beginning their individual reading journeys. Lots of capitalised words and extra large fonts give them the opportunity to incorporate tone and expression into reading as well. Get onto this one - it will be a great favourite with Year 1 to around Year 4 for sure!
Sue Warren