The Book Sniffer and his dear chums Dixie and Percy are heading off on a road trip - They do hope you'll join them on a jolly jaunt to the seaside for a fabulous picnic to celebrate the launch of
Dixie O'Day - In the Fast Lane
so buckle up and pass the boiled sweets.
Dearest Dixie and Percy - How spiffy to see you both after all this time, It's such a breath of fresh air to make it to the countryside and the train
ride was an utter ball.
Shall we head for the coast dear chums? I have packed a hamper with plenty of lemonade and jammie dodgers!
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9am arrive at Didsworth Station on the direct train from Sniffer Central
First stop a wander through the delightful dappled woods - SO dear chums - fabulous news about your very own Dixie O'Day series, I always knew you'd hit the big time Dixie, what larks. We could have a game of hide and seek while we're here in the woods? Or do you chaps have another favourite game to play when driving around together?
A game of hide and seek is the PERFECT game for us three! Percy is brilliant at hiding. I had a spot of bother recently while trying to hide behind a tree: I stuck out a bit on both sides.
We’ve packed the babminton set too. You were always rather a whizz with the racquet, Sniffer!
A game of hide and seek is the PERFECT game for us three! Percy is brilliant at hiding. I had a spot of bother recently while trying to hide behind a tree: I stuck out a bit on both sides.
We’ve packed the babminton set too. You were always rather a whizz with the racquet, Sniffer!
9:30 - A stop at Dot's Allotment
Dot has a very fine array of home grown produce, we should pick up some lovely toms for our picnic? I've packed Gentlemen's Relish sandwiches - What are your most favoured picnic snacks?
Hula Hoops for Percy, a couple of boiled eggs for me, please! I think Dot has put aside one of her award-winning cucumbers, too…
Dot has a very fine array of home grown produce, we should pick up some lovely toms for our picnic? I've packed Gentlemen's Relish sandwiches - What are your most favoured picnic snacks?
Hula Hoops for Percy, a couple of boiled eggs for me, please! I think Dot has put aside one of her award-winning cucumbers, too…
10:00am - The Boating Lake
What larks! A boating lake, shall we head out for a row? I see a rather splendid little red boat yonder which would fit us three just perfectly. We've known each other for sometime haven't we old beans - but where did you chaps meet?
This is the life: bobbing about in a jaunty little red boat, on a perfect sunny day!
Percy and I were at school together. Here is our old school photograph, as featured in Dixie O’Day in The Fast Lane:
What larks! A boating lake, shall we head out for a row? I see a rather splendid little red boat yonder which would fit us three just perfectly. We've known each other for sometime haven't we old beans - but where did you chaps meet?
This is the life: bobbing about in a jaunty little red boat, on a perfect sunny day!
Percy and I were at school together. Here is our old school photograph, as featured in Dixie O’Day in The Fast Lane:
I do remember that those woolly shorts were rather scratchy…
11:00am Car Repair Shop
CONGRATULATIONS on your fabulous result in the Didsworth to Dodsworth Road Race (as featured in Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane AND The Dodsworth Daily!) - Better stop off for a quick lick of paint at the repair shop get your lovely car looking as good as new - What are we likely to find in your glove compartment?
CONGRATULATIONS on your fabulous result in the Didsworth to Dodsworth Road Race (as featured in Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane AND The Dodsworth Daily!) - Better stop off for a quick lick of paint at the repair shop get your lovely car looking as good as new - What are we likely to find in your glove compartment?
Thank you! It was a wonderful result indeed.
Yes, we might need a touch up of paint here and there and small polish of the hubcaps…
In the glove compartment there are some old liquorice allsorts (Percy’s) and a book of 100 Sturdy Country Walks (mine).
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Yes, we might need a touch up of paint here and there and small polish of the hubcaps…
In the glove compartment there are some old liquorice allsorts (Percy’s) and a book of 100 Sturdy Country Walks (mine).
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11:30am Pickwick Farm
I do love a trip to the farm - I'm especially fond of tickling the portly tums of piggies with a stick - I spotted a fair few hilarious creatures in In The Fast Lane but could you tell us about a tiny detail which you love but which we might have missed?
Did you spot the mouse and his cheese-car? He and his large family are neighbours of mine – jolly nice folk!
I do love a trip to the farm - I'm especially fond of tickling the portly tums of piggies with a stick - I spotted a fair few hilarious creatures in In The Fast Lane but could you tell us about a tiny detail which you love but which we might have missed?
Did you spot the mouse and his cheese-car? He and his large family are neighbours of mine – jolly nice folk!
11:40: Cliff Edge at Didsworth Hills
Well the views here are marvellous but I'm staying a fair distance from the edge - CRIPES - What larks do you have planned for your next adventure? and will there be more tittersome mild peril?
Our next trip will be to Brightsea – we are staying at the Hotel Splendide! Cream teas, bow ties, and bracing walks along the jetty…
nothing can possibly go wrong, SURELY??
Well the views here are marvellous but I'm staying a fair distance from the edge - CRIPES - What larks do you have planned for your next adventure? and will there be more tittersome mild peril?
Our next trip will be to Brightsea – we are staying at the Hotel Splendide! Cream teas, bow ties, and bracing walks along the jetty…
nothing can possibly go wrong, SURELY??
11:45 - Petrol Station and Diner
Better fill up the old vee-hicle before the final stretch to the beach - lets stop for a light snackerel before we head off - I hear Ron's Ice creams are a dream - which toppings will you choose?
Better fill up the old vee-hicle before the final stretch to the beach - lets stop for a light snackerel before we head off - I hear Ron's Ice creams are a dream - which toppings will you choose?
Ah yes, Ron’s dreamy ice creams - just studying the menu now…
I’ll go for the banana split please, Sniffer!
Woooah Steady on Dixie - we're not in a race now but I appreciate the urgency of making it to the seaside in time for lunch at mid day! TOOT TOOT ..BEEP BEEP
What a marvellous day spent with two of my dearest chums - We simply must catch up more often - perhaps next time you can both come to the big city?
We should like that very much. Perhaps Percy can go to see a musical in the West End, and I can peruse the antique markets. I am looking to buy a ukulele…
We should like that very much. Perhaps Percy can go to see a musical in the West End, and I can peruse the antique markets. I am looking to buy a ukulele…
I simply can't wait to hear what they get up to in the next Dixie O'Day adventure - but for now it remains a mystery....
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Now dear Sniffers I do hope you enjoyed your jolly jaunt with us, and I do hope you feel you can call Dixie and Percy chums now too.
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Every now and again a book arrives at Book Sniffer Towers which I wish I'd had when I was a child, this is one of those books and if I had have had it I would without doubt loved books and reading EVEN more than I already do.
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As I swept through the pages at breaknecking speed, I quietly chuckled to myself knowing just how much fun Shirley and Clara must have had together thinking up such a jolly world filled with larksome characters and that distilled joy and silliness came through in every single page.
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There must have been a huge pressure on this dynamic duo for their very first (but definitely not last) collaboration. Everyone has been clamouring for some time to see what two such wonderfully talented and hugely respected artists would create together and they most certainly did not disappoint.
Shirley has delivered a supremely witty and charming story which melts seemlessly into Clara's chic and endlessly entertaining illustrations.
What a dream team, I wonder if the stories are a small window into happy family day trips of the past. (I like to think so)
In the Fast Lane is the first in the entrancing Dixie O'Day series for younger readers (actually ...all readers) It is a delightful small format hardback within which we are treated to a wealth of extra treats, from exquisitely detailed town maps, to character profiles to help familiarise yourself with the good folk of Didsworth and even games, a sneak chapter preview AND a quiz - what larks.
Such a beautifully package book in bold confident monochrome with accents of bright red - tre tre stylish.
As the first in the series we become acquainted with dear old Dixie and his rotund side kick Percy, before being trust full speed into a hilarious slap stick road race filled with mild peril and shout out loud moments of devious trickery and utter triumph. OBVIOUSLY I can't tell you the outcome of the race - it would be more than my Boney-o's are worth but let me assure you, you'll be gripping the sides of your chair like you were in the race yourself.
This series will go from strength to strength with Dixie and Percy becoming firm favourites in many many houses.
Bravo and three cheers for Dixie and Percy and Toots of delight to Shirley and Clara, their ever so marvellous creators.
You can find out more about this delightful series of book on Dixie's very own website! you can also follow illustrator Clara Vulliamy on Twitter @ClaraVulliamy and she has a rather fabulous website too! Please pop along and visit.
Toodle Pip for now Dear Sniffers - keep an eye out for my new feature in tBK magazine next issue - a whole page of tippety top reviews AND a page featuring some of my fave pugarazzi shots.
TOOT TOOT!
With huge thanks to Clara, Shirley, CHC and Benji - the Sniffer salutes you! X
REVIEW : Dixie O'Day - In the Fast Lane
Written by Shirley Hughes and Illustrated by Clara Vulliamy
a Bodley Head book.
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Every now and again a book arrives at Book Sniffer Towers which I wish I'd had when I was a child, this is one of those books and if I had have had it I would without doubt loved books and reading EVEN more than I already do.
.JPG)
As I swept through the pages at breaknecking speed, I quietly chuckled to myself knowing just how much fun Shirley and Clara must have had together thinking up such a jolly world filled with larksome characters and that distilled joy and silliness came through in every single page.
.JPG)
There must have been a huge pressure on this dynamic duo for their very first (but definitely not last) collaboration. Everyone has been clamouring for some time to see what two such wonderfully talented and hugely respected artists would create together and they most certainly did not disappoint.
Shirley has delivered a supremely witty and charming story which melts seemlessly into Clara's chic and endlessly entertaining illustrations.
What a dream team, I wonder if the stories are a small window into happy family day trips of the past. (I like to think so)
In the Fast Lane is the first in the entrancing Dixie O'Day series for younger readers (actually ...all readers) It is a delightful small format hardback within which we are treated to a wealth of extra treats, from exquisitely detailed town maps, to character profiles to help familiarise yourself with the good folk of Didsworth and even games, a sneak chapter preview AND a quiz - what larks.
Such a beautifully package book in bold confident monochrome with accents of bright red - tre tre stylish.
As the first in the series we become acquainted with dear old Dixie and his rotund side kick Percy, before being trust full speed into a hilarious slap stick road race filled with mild peril and shout out loud moments of devious trickery and utter triumph. OBVIOUSLY I can't tell you the outcome of the race - it would be more than my Boney-o's are worth but let me assure you, you'll be gripping the sides of your chair like you were in the race yourself.
This series will go from strength to strength with Dixie and Percy becoming firm favourites in many many houses.
Bravo and three cheers for Dixie and Percy and Toots of delight to Shirley and Clara, their ever so marvellous creators.
You can find out more about this delightful series of book on Dixie's very own website! you can also follow illustrator Clara Vulliamy on Twitter @ClaraVulliamy and she has a rather fabulous website too! Please pop along and visit.
Toodle Pip for now Dear Sniffers - keep an eye out for my new feature in tBK magazine next issue - a whole page of tippety top reviews AND a page featuring some of my fave pugarazzi shots.
TOOT TOOT!
With huge thanks to Clara, Shirley, CHC and Benji - the Sniffer salutes you! X
We really need these kinds of book as they teach us many lessons while reading them. It is just idea of learning while making fun.
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Bruce Hammerson
Hydraulic Hammers