Mr Scruff: a diverse read for dog-lovers

From Mr Scruff by Simon James (Walker Books, 2019) | Illustration © 2019 by Simon James | Used by permission of the Publisher

 When I was a kid, we briefly had a rescue dog - a dachshund/corgi cross.

Just the right size for five-year-old me, Rippy was my constant (and much loved) companion. I have strong memories of wrapping my arm around him as we stood looking outside, Rippy up on his hind legs.

Sadly, Rippy also had the unfortunate habit of urinating up unsuspecting children who visited. And so, he was eventually returned to the rescue centre. He was my friend, and I went along to say goodbye. I think the scars will always be mine to bear - driving away, tears falling, looking out the rear window as we left Rippy to his fate. It was as gut-wrenching as the scene in Toy Story 2 when Jessie the cowgirl is abandoned by her kid.

Fortunately, this week’s Story Worth Sharing has a much happier ending for all concerned! Let me introduce you to Mr Scruff!

 Mr Scruff by Simon James (Walker Books 2019) plays on the well-known adage that dogs look like their owners (and vice versa).

This notion is cleverly emphasized by James having the owners’ names rhyme with their dogs’.

So we have Polly (a poodle) who resembles her owner, Molly. (Polly and Molly both share tight curls and wear a bow.)

An aloof-looking dachshund named Eric looks suspiciously like his owner, Derek - even down to their dark brown and tan attire. 

Mick has Rick. 

Lawrence belongs with Florence. 

You get the idea!

The jaunty rhyme keeps the pages turning - until finally, we are introduced to the forlorn Mr Scruff. 

 

For Mr Scruff there’s no one.

 

From Mr Scruff by Simon James (Walker Books, 2019) | Illustration © 2019 by Simon James | Used by permission of the Publisher

 

This change in pace creates a natural pause (and adds interest to the read-aloud experience). As Tasha Saecker, Assistant Director of the Appleton Public Library, WI, notes:

 

There are wonderful moments of hesitation built into the text, where the lack of rhyme gives room to pause and wonder a bit. 

- Walking Brain Cells 

 

James introduces us to further pampered pooches - before returning us to the rescue centre - and good ol’ Mr Scruff.

I wonder what his back story might be?

We’re told ‘things are looking rough, for poor old Mr Scruff.’

‘That is,’ writes Kirkus Reviews, ‘until Jim…picks out Mr Scruff to be his dog.’

It’s such a tender moment. (Mr Scruff seems somewhat perplexed that someone would pay him attention.) Jim shakes his paw before presenting Mr Scruff to his parents. 

It’s a beautifully observed illustration - see how Jim is affectionately (and reassuringly) holding on to Mr Scruff? But Jim’s parents have reservations. 

Dad isn’t convinced.

 

“[A]re you sure? / He’s so BIG and you’re so small!..”

 

Mum looks concerned.

 

“Surely a puppy would be more fun?”

 I can’t help wondering whether the lines, He’s so BIG / and you’re so small! were influenced by the modern artist Andy Warhol.

Because thirty-two years ago, I sketched this: a record of an Andy Warhol drawing on display at the Serpentine Gallery, London.

 

My 1989 sketch of a 1958 Andy Warhol drawing

 

It’s from a 1958 drawing by Warhol - and there’s something about the phrasing and idea (and child-like naivety) that caught my attention. 

You are so little and you are so big!

Warhol’s playful phrase has stayed with me ever since. I always hoped it would spark a story sometime. It kind of did, in that it was at the front of my mind when I was brainstorming ideas for my picture book, The Great Cheese Robbery.

 

Development idea for The Great Cheese Robbery © by Tim Warnes

 

The line never made it into my story, although the premise of little Patrick Elephant making friends with the band of teeny-tiny burglar mice kind of encapsulates it. But hats off to Simon James - he executes the same concept beautifully!

But back to Mr Scruff.

Is Jim bothered by the fact that he and Mr Scruff appear to be mismatched? (Their names don’t even rhyme!)

Not at all!

Jim tells his parents, “[Mr. Scruff] needs a home. / A place to call his very own.”

 

From Mr Scruff by Simon James (Walker Books, 2019) | Illustration © 2019 by Simon James | Used by permission of the Publisher

 

And though it doesn’t rhyme,

It’s all worked out just fine.

But, wait a minute. Who’s this…?

 

What was already a delightful story is given an extra twist! Back at the rescue centre, an older, scruffy man arrives to choose a dog. It appears the dishevelled Mr Gruff missed finding his perfect match in Mr Scruff. (Even their names rhyme!) 

But like Jim, Mr Gruff isn’t constrained by the familiar. Picking out a little pup, he holds it high and confidently announces:

 

“I’m so BIG,

And you’re so small.

But that doesn’t matter.

No, not at all!”

 

From Mr Scruff by Simon James (Walker Books, 2019) | Illustration © 2019 by Simon James | Used by permission of the Publisher

 

The final illustration shows Mr Gruff leaving the rescue centre, pup in arm, as they gaze lovingly at each other. 

 

‘Can you guess the puppy’s name?

Well, of course - 

It’s Tim!’

 

On the surface, Mr Scruff is a lively, heart-warming story about dogs and the work of rescue centres. As befits a contemporary picture book, it scores highly in terms of diversity: Jim is a brown-skinned boy with interracial parents (a nice touch - and unusual enough to stand out). Scratch a little deeper though, and Mr Scruff raises some interesting (and open-ended) questions about who we choose to be friends with: 

Was Mr Scruff adopted by the wrong family? 

Should Jim have chosen Tim instead? 

Is Mr Scruff better suited to Mr Gruff? 

 

As Booktrust explains:

 

There’s a gently inclusive message here to look past your preferences, and outside your bubble, and welcome all kinds of different people in your life. People come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone deserves love and kindness...

 

Having the ability to question expected outcomes and societal norms is a necessary (and valuable) life skill for children to develop. Picture books like Mr Scruff, therefore, are not just great fun to read. They are also rich tools that will give your kids a healthy head start in life.

 STORIES WORTH SHARING: Mr Scruff by Simon JamesGood to Read because:

It’s a playful picture book that diversifies your child’s bookshelf without even trying.

It’s a heartwarming reminder that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

The flow and pace of the rhyming story make Mr Scruff a joy to read aloud.

 GOOD TO READ

Unusual (but perfectly matched) friends

Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers

Little Nelly’s Big Book by Pippa Goodheart and Andy Rowland

DANGEROUS! by Tim Warnes

Hooray For Amanda & Her Alligator! by Mo Willems

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‘Diversity in friendships is brought to happy, lively life in this effervescent picture book.’

- Kirkus reviews

‘a snuggly, cuddly sort of book that inspires a real sense of belonging and home, as well as appealing to all young animal lovers.’

- Book Trust buy us Buy UK* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFSOURCESMr Scruff by Simon James (Walker Books, 2019) Review: MR Scruff by Simon james (Walking Brain Cells, 2 october 2019) Mr Scruff (Kirkus Reviews, 24 sept 2019) Mr Scruff (BookTrust)© 2021 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.