Slinky Malinki (Viking Kestrel Picture Books)

My child cannot get enough of books; we stumbled across Lynley Dodd quite early in his life and by now have collected nearly everything she has written. While her books range from very good to excellent, Slinky Malinki is just genius: frankly the best children's book I've ever read (I must confess that I am a bit of a book snob, so this is a very high compliment).

At 18 months my child was captivated by the illustrations and events, and the ending fully met his need for drama and excitement. As a parent, I will never tire of reading this book (no mean feat!). It is BEAUTIFULLY written, even by adult standards. I am particularly impressed by the author's use of her extensive vocabulary and the fact that she sees no need to settle for simplistic language in books for small children (the description on the back of the BOARD book is of a cat with "superlative characteristics" -- inside the book you will find words like "rapscallion" and "warbling" --n.b. in the book "Hairy MacLary's Caterwaul Caper" she manages to get in "cacophany"). The way she writes is like magic: the book is very easy to understand, even for the youngest child; it rhymes beautifully, with a rich and varied vocabulary; the words flow off the tongue so easily that you will have this memorized before you even realize it.

I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Superb for language development (11/12 people found this helpful)

Although aimed at young children, I have used this book in the classroom with children up to 11 years of age because it uses a rich and varied style of words and allows the children to see how much feeling can be put into a short piece of writing. It is not only entertaining but also very educational.
Lynley Dodd has written many excellent books but this is definitely one of my favourites.

A fabulously funny feline tale!!! (10/10 people found this helpful)

I bought this book for my 3 year-old son as a birthday present and from the first time we read it, it has become one of our firm favourites! It's told in rhyme and the words flow smoothly and quickly from one page to the next bringing the story to life with wonderful images of a prowling, mischievous cat who ends up in hot water because of his thieving ways. The pictures that go along with it are vibrant and apt, taking the reader along with every weird and wonderful item Slinky Malinki steals and then drags back to his house on the hill. My son was giggling half way through already and didn't stop until the end of this magical tale.

Each opened page is a new adventure and lesson in rhyme. (1/1 people found this helpful)

This book is great fun for children of all ages. Parents and other caregivers get as much fun out of reading this book as the children do in listening and participating. Each opened page is a new adventure and one that does not quell no matter how many times you read it. Not only is the book great fun but also it is a good way to introduce children to the magic of poetry. My five year old can recite it and the (18 month) baby will turn the pages to look at the illustrations herself. My parents too enjoy reading it to their grandchildren and my mother has even taken my elder daughter to a play featuring these characters - such is its appeal. Plot, verse and illustrations all combine to form a great book.

Slinky Malinki is a "stalking, lurking, adventurous cat" (9/9 people found this helpful)

Slinky Malinki is a fabulous book, full of rollicking rhyme which captures the imagination and well describes the escapades of a "stalking, lurking, adventurous cat", whose midnight wanderings go horribly wrong one evening. Fun to read and fun to listen to.

Slinky Malinki (Viking Kestrel Picture Books)

Lynley Dodd

Reader Reviews:

Sheer Genius! (4/4 people found this helpful)

Superb for language development (11/12 people found this helpful)

A fabulously funny feline tale!!! (10/10 people found this helpful)

Each opened page is a new adventure and lesson in rhyme. (1/1 people found this helpful)

Slinky Malinki is a "stalking, lurking, adventurous cat" (9/9 people found this helpful)

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