Hot dog by Mark Sperring and Sophie Corrigan

Hot Dog longs to be like all the other dogs he sees on the beach. He would love to have legs, a head, and be able to run and fetch a stick or a ball. Without warning the Mustard Fairy happens along. She has heard him and with a squirt or two of mustard, grants his wish. He has legs and a head, and fetches that stick and goes after that ball and chases his wagging tail. He is thrilled.

But the other dogs can smell something rather tasty. Some can smell a sausage, the others a nice warm bun and their tummies begin to rumble.

Hot Dog runs to the stand where Flo sells ice creams, and asks for help. Without hesitation Flo looks behind the counter and throws ice lollies at the pack of dogs and blasts them with strawberry sauce.

The dogs run off covered in sticky goo. She picks Hot Dog up from the sand and falls in love asking him to be her pet.

A charming warm hearted story of fitting in, Hot Dog finds that being a dog like all the others has its drawbacks. But in the end he finds a place where all his dreams are realised.

In rhyming stanzas, younger readers will thrill to the story of Hot Dog wanting to be like all the rest. They will love predicting the rhyming word, and learn some of the stanzas to read out aloud for themselves. And laugh at poor Hot Dog wanting to be different, but finding himself on the menu.

The illustrations will draw many laughs as the hot dog is illustrated lying amongst other hot dogs on the hot dog stand, but dreaming of a better life. They will love checking out all the delights of being at the beach, and spotting the many animals that also live there. I love the mustard and Flo‘s hair and her solution to finding a friend for Hot Dog. This is a laugh out loud read which adults will be ask to read and read again.

Themes: Dogs, Wishes, Dreams, Humour, Beach.

Fran Knight