Teacup: Belle’s Star Pup

Tennant Redbank's Teacup: Belle's Star Pup is a sweet castle story for 5 year olds about a little puppy who wants her show to be perfect.

What happens

Teacup is Belle's puppy and she LOVES putting on shows. She rolls, she spins, she prances on two paws. For the big finish she balances a cracked old cup on her head (it wobbles, but it doesn't fall).

Then a letter arrives. Simone Dumont, a young inventor Belle has heard all about, is coming to stay. Belle wants everything to be just right, so everyone gets a job. Cogsworth tidies the castle. Mrs Potts cooks a feast. And Teacup will put on her show.

Her friend Petit the pony loves the show. But is it special enough? Maybe it needs a brand new trick.

So Teacup tries a front flip (ouch). She balances a ball, then a spoon, then one of Belle's shoes. She tries leaping over a watering can, a stone bench and finally Petit herself, who is NOT keen. In the end she decides on a hoop. The trouble is, the only hoop is hanging right at the top of the garden trellis.

When Simone arrives, she brings a fruit-picking machine that shakes pears off the trees. Teacup watches it and has a very big idea. Of course, very big ideas in a story like this don't always go to plan.

What happens when things go wrong in front of everyone is the heart of the book. Petit tells Teacup that sometimes perfect is kind of boring, and it's a lovely thing for a small child to hear.

The writing is made for reading aloud. Short sentences, lots of repeats ("Teacup rolled. Teacup spun."), and sound words like WHOOSH and KER-THOOP. Little ones will soon be joining in.

Teacup is a lovely friend for any child who gets upset when a drawing or a tower of bricks isn't just right. She practises until the stars come out, which is a LOT of practising for a very small dog.

What to read next

If they want more time at Belle's castle, Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Tea Party is a short rainy-day story. It's set back when Chip was still a little enchanted teacup, and Mrs Potts decides a tea party is just the thing.