Digby O'Day in the Fast Lane

by Shirley Hughes, Clara Vulliamy (Illustrator)

Overview

Hang on to the wheel for the first of three adventures from a dynamic mother-daughter pair: beloved author Shirley Hughes and talented illustrator Clara Vulliamy.

Digby O’Day and Percy are best friends. This daring canine duo can find adventure anywhere — even entering an All-Day Race! Digby is sure he can win, especially with Percy as his co-driver. But when the race starts and Digby and Percy are quickly left in the dust, it seems like they don’t stand a chance. They meet peril after peril: a car that breaks down (and slides back to the edge of a cliff!), a near miss with an oncoming train, and worst of all, Digby’s archenemy, Lou Ella, who is also in the race and will stop at nothing to win. In a day full of twists, turns, thrills, and surprises, anything can happen. Who will come out ahead? And will Lou Ella get her comeuppance?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763673697
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	08/26/2014
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	685,880
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Shirley Hughes (1927–2022) was the author of more than fifty children’s books and the illustrator of some two hundred more. One of the world’s best-loved writers for children, she received the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and was awarded an OBE for her distinguished service to children’s literature. In 2007, her book Dogger was voted the U.K.’s favorite Kate Greenaway Medal–winning book of all time.

Clara Vulliamy began her career illustrating for newspapers and magazines, but switched to illustrating children’s books after having children of her own. She lives in England.

Editorial Reviews

05/26/2014
Hughes’s collaboration with her illustrator daughter, first in a three-book series, tells of a rivalry between amiable Digby O’Day (he’s a dog) and his fashionable neighbor Lou Ella (she’s a human). Lou Ella lives a life of flash (“Lou Ella bought a new car every year, always a very expensive one”), and she expects to win the great auto race from Didsworth to Dodsworth. Digby and his loyal companion Percy (also a dog) are rewarded when an unassuming family they’ve befriended tells them about a secret shortcut. The book’s small trim size and ample illustrations slot it neatly between picture and chapter book. Vulliamy’s (Martha Bunny Loves School) vignettes adorn every page, and extra features, like a Q&A with Digby and a page from his photo album, abound. Hughes (Hero on a Bicycle) works hard to show that civility and gentle humor trump unbecoming displays of glitz, while developing the car-based race theme, which draws momentum from accidents (including a literal cliff-hanger), last-minute repairs, and suspense over who will reach the finish line first. Ages 5–8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

An amusing adventure through the countryside, ending with a lovely pot of tea. … Charming.
—The New York Times Book Review

Broken into six short chapters with charming illustrations and only a few sentences per page, this book is perfect for beginning readers starting to move beyond the picture book. Duos such as Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad come to mind as Hughes’ hounds embark upon their tortoise-and-hare-style adventure. Sweet and simple, the illustrations and story will amuse young readers as Digby and Percy drive through town meeting other residents in their race for the finish line. A section of “fun extras” follows the story, complete with car games, activities, and a reading challenge. The first of three planned adventures, this is a delightful addition to early chapter books.
—Booklist

An appealing early chapter book series with retro flair. ... With its beautiful duotone art, rigorously moral universe and just the right amount of thrills, this gentle series harkens back to an earlier time in children's books. Kids who love detail will pore over the illustrations... The generous art-to-word ratio will give newly independent readers a sense of accomplishment at reading the book themselves, and the broad appeal of the characters and story will make it great for family read-alouds. This is an old-fashioned story with oodles of charm, style and panache that feels like an instant classic.
—Shelf Awareness

Mother-daughter, author-illustrator team Hughes and Vulliamy collaborate for a low-key tale with an old-fashioned feel, decidedly British flavor and cheerful illustrations. ... Red-and-pink–tinged illustrations, created with pencil, ink and digital collage, appear on every page, breaking up the text, adding humor and clearly depicting the events as described in the straightforward text. A simple map allows readers to follow the racers along their routes.
—Kirkus Reviews

“Interviews” with the characters, author, and illustrator; maps; a quiz; and suggestions for car games and an artistic activity round out this beginning chapter book. The cheerful text is accessible to young readers and the numerous monochromatic illustrations provide both visual support and textual respite. Kids who like both cars and dogs will especially enjoy taking a ride with Digby and Percy.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

This early chapter book is light and entertaining yet still exciting. ... Cartoon drawings appear on every page and add to the fun. The result is a story that’s delightful and original.
—School Library Journal

The book’s small trim size and ample illustrations slot it neatly between picture and chapter book. Vulliamy’s vignettes adorn every page, and extra features, like a Q&A with Digby and a page from his photo album, abound.
—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

★ 08/01/2014
K-Gr 2—This early chapter book is light and entertaining yet still exciting. Digby O'Day and Percy are always having adventures in Digby's car. The book opens with an "interview" with Digby in which he and the other characters are introduced. It also includes a map so children can follow the episodes. First, the canine pals almost fall off a cliff and are saved by passing motorists. They enter a car race and get lost yet persevere. Their annoying neighbor and careless driver, Lou Ella, is so confident of her lead that she stops to eat lunch at diner and, in true "Tortoise and Hare" fashion, loses the race. The book features short sentences and lots of white space. Cartoon drawings appear on every page and add to the fun. The result is a story that's delightful and original.—Ellie Lease, Harford County Public Library, MD

School Library Journal

2014-05-19
Mother-daughter, author-illustrator team Hughes and Vulliamy collaborate for a low-key tale with an old-fashioned feel, decidedly British flavor and cheerful illustrations.Digby O’Day and his best friend, Percy, are anthropomorphic dogs in natty suits. Digby’s neighbor (and nemesis) Lou Ella is a stylish young woman with a fondness for fast cars. Secondary characters range from human (the members of the “friendly family,” among others), to badger (entrepreneurial brothers Don and Ron Barrakan), to various other, unnamed animals. The slight plot focuses on an auto race from one small town to another; the message, meanwhile, has more to do with kindness and altruism versus thoughtlessness and selfishness. Spelling has been Americanized, but some vocabulary may momentarily stump readers on this side of the Atlantic. Red-and-pink–tinged illustrations, created with pencil, ink and digital collage, appear on every page, breaking up the text, adding humor and clearly depicting the events as described in the straightforward text. A simple map allows readers to follow the racers along their routes. A two-page profile of Digby precedes the first chapter; car games, a quiz, drawing prompts, and brief bios of the author and illustrator as well as a preview of the next book follow the final one.Digby and Percy are slated to return in additional adventures; whether they can win the contest to capture the interest of young readers and listeners remains to be seen. (Fiction. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews