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Hairy Maclary Scattercat

By Lynley Dodd

Part of the Hairy Maclary series

Hairy Maclary chases cats — until one fierce feline turns the tables. What happens next?

playful mischievous exciting rhythmic

Pageticker community rating

Average score: 4.74

From 31 readers

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

Children enjoy the funny chase, lively rhymes and pictures, and many like joining in with the repeated phrases. They particularly enjoy seeing Hairy Maclary’s confidence change when he meets a cat who can chase him back.

What does the Pageticker team say about Hairy Maclary Scattercat ?

We love the lively rhymes, playful word choices and expressive illustrations in this funny animal adventure. Hairy Maclary’s mischievous chasing makes for an energetic read-aloud, while the change in fortunes offers a gentle reminder that games are more fun when everyone is willing to join in. It is especially well suited to young children who enjoy repetition, animal characters and joining in with familiar phrases; some children may find Scarface Claw’s fierceness mildly, well, fierce.

Genres

Animals Humour Adventure

What is Hairy Maclary Scattercat about?

Hairy Maclary is feeling lively and full of mischief as he dashes around town, chasing all the neighbourhood cats from Slinky Malinki to Pimpernel Pugh. But when he meets the fierce Scarface Claw, the tables are turned! Will Hairy Maclary manage to escape, or will he be the one who gets a fright? This playful adventure is perfect for young readers who love animal antics.

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 Scattercat

Mischief and consequences: Why do you think Hairy Maclary enjoys chasing the cats, and what does he learn when the chase changes?

Brave or frightening?: How do you think Hairy Maclary feels when he meets Scarface Claw, and which details in the pictures help you decide?

Words that bounce: Which funny names or rhyming words do you enjoy most, and how do they make the story sound when it is read aloud?

Cats and dogs: Why might the cats react differently to Hairy Maclary, and how could the story look if it were told by one of them?

Playful pets: What games do animals in your neighbourhood enjoy, and how can people make sure their games are safe and kind?

Pages

32 pages

Reading age

Picture Book (2-7)

This edition

1992

First published

1985

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