Discover more books

Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness

By Lynley Dodd

Part of the Hairy Maclary series

Hairy Maclary crashes the Cat Club’s show — but what surprise awaits among the fancy felines?

playful rhyming charming humorous

Pageticker community rating

Average score: 4.61

From 28 readers

What do our readers think of Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the funny chaos, the lively rhymes and the many cats, and they find Hairy Maclary’s antics exciting. Some children think the story feels rather short, but this often makes it easy to enjoy again and again.

What does the Pageticker team say about Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness?

We think this is Hairy Maclary at his most gloriously unruly: a bouncy, rhyming romp that turns a respectable cat show into splendid mayhem. Lynley Dodd’s lively wordplay, expressive illustrations and mischievous hero make it a brilliant read-aloud for young children, especially those who enjoy animal antics and joining in with repeated phrases.

Genres

Humour Animals Friendship/Family

What is Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness about?

Hairy Maclary can’t resist the excitement at Riverside Hall, where the Cat Club’s Annual Show is in full swing! With his usual bouncy mischief, Hairy Maclary bursts into the event, causing chaos among the fancy felines. His lively antics lead to a surprising twist, making the cat show a day to remember for everyone. Join Hairy Maclary and his friends for a fun, rhyming adventure full of laughter and surprises.

About the author

Lynley Dodd is a much-loved author and illustrator from New Zealand, best known for her Hairy Maclary books. Her stories are full of fun rhymes and unforgettable animal characters. Children all over the world enjoy reading about Hairy Maclary’s adventures with his furry friends. Lynley Dodd’s books are perfect for sharing and reading aloud.

Discussion ideas around Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness

Mischief and consequences: Why do you think Hairy Maclary rushes into the cat show, and what might he learn from the trouble that follows?

The cat show: What makes a cat show special, and how does Hairy Maclary change the way the event feels?

Words that bounce: Which rhyming or exciting-sounding words best show Hairy Maclary’s movement and energy? Can you invent a few more?

Winning and being yourself: What does it mean to be a winner in the story, and do you think winning a prize is always the most important thing?

Cats and dogs: How are the cats and Hairy Maclary different, and what can animals with very different personalities enjoy about being together?

Pages

32 pages

Reading age

Picture Book (2-7)

This edition

1992

First published

1983

Celebrate every book your child reads

Keep track of the books they've read on Pageticker and watch their reading journey grow.

Pageticker

Ready to get started?

Join thousands of readers discovering their next favourite book