Dog Diaries – Big Top Bonanza

James Patterson and Steven Butler's Dog Diaries Big Top Bonanza is a bouncy, very silly circus story for 7 year olds, told by a dog who can barely contain himself.

What happens

Junior is a scruffy mutt who lives with his favourite human, Ruff. He talks straight to you, calls you his furless friend and gets EXTREMELY excited about everything.

So imagine how he feels when a carnival and circus moves into the dog park!

Junior has heard all about circuses from Mama Mange, an old chow chow he met at the dog shelter (or Pooch Prison, as he calls it). He can't wait. The waiting is agony. He tries a nap, a breathing exercise and pooing in his human sister's shoes to pass the time (she's not impressed).

There's just one thing spoiling it. The carnival has man-monsters with white faces, bright red noses and enormous shoes. (Your reader will work out what they are long before Junior does!)

Then comes the worst news of all. Dogs aren't allowed on the rides. And they're not allowed in the big top either. So Junior and his pooch-pack sneak in under the tent wall. And halfway through the show, a very familiar smell drifts into the ring…

This is pure fun from start to finish. Junior's dog words are half the joke. The TV is the picture box, the kitchen is the Food Room and clowns are man-monsters. Children love being in on what Junior has got wrong.

It's a diary, with a time for every entry. That keeps things zippy, and the short bursts suit children who are just getting going with longer books.

There's lots of toilet humour, so be warned if that's a no in your house! It's American, too, so expect vacations, trash cans and a mom (or Mom-Lady).

If your reader loves animals with big personalities and plenty of chaos, they'll love Junior. It's a great one to read aloud together too, because the voice is so over the top.

What to read next

This one isn't the first of Junior's diaries, but it makes sense on its own. If they want more of Junior and his pooch-pack, try Ruffing It. It's the family camping trip Junior keeps mentioning, with raccoons to bark at and the grumpiest human in Hills Village in the next tent.