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Dylan the Doctor
Dylan's on his way - are you ready to play? DYLAN THE DOCTOR is the first picture book in a series featuring an exuberant stripy dog, who just loves to play. Created by bestselling illustrator Guy Parker-Rees, Dylan is a joyous new character who uses playing and fun to help toddlers explore and understand their world. Today Dylan is playing at being a doctor. He dashes about looking after all of his friends: Purple Puss, Jolly Otter and Titchy Chick. But who will look after poor, tired Doctor Dylan? All his friends, of course! Look out for Dylan's friend, Dotty Bug, on every page, as she encourages readers to join in with the story.
32 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2016
About the author
Guy Parker-Rees
130 books21 followersOne of my earliest memories is of a huge Kudu antelope sticking his neck in the car window to try and gobble up our sandwiches. I was born in Zimbabwe and I can still remember the smell of the huge, hot granite rocks. My older sister, my two brothers and I came back to a cold grey England when I was three.
I spent a lot of my time at school doodling and painting, then did a degree in English and Philosophy at York University, where I spent a lot of time painting and doodling.
I worked as a mural painter, an arts and crafts teacher and as an art therapist, among other things, before finding out that I really wanted to illustrate children's books.
I've been lucky enough to work with some of the best writers of children's books. When a story is good, ideas just leap into my head and all I have to do is scribble them down.
I am very proud of the fact that "Giraffes Can't Dance", written by Giles Andreae, has gone on to be such an international best seller. It is such a wonderful story. Equally, the fact that several of the books I've illustrated for Tony Mitton have won awards which were voted for by children is very satisfying. I like to convey feelings in my work by using a vibrant, bouncing line, strong colours and getting expressions just right. I find it very exciting when it all comes together. Oh, and I like drawing lots of animals too.
I enjoy doing school visits to talk about how I illustrate and do some drawing with the audience. I live in Brighton with my wife and three children. It's a half hour walk across the park to get to my studio, which I share with three other illustrators.
I spent a lot of my time at school doodling and painting, then did a degree in English and Philosophy at York University, where I spent a lot of time painting and doodling.
I worked as a mural painter, an arts and crafts teacher and as an art therapist, among other things, before finding out that I really wanted to illustrate children's books.
I've been lucky enough to work with some of the best writers of children's books. When a story is good, ideas just leap into my head and all I have to do is scribble them down.
I am very proud of the fact that "Giraffes Can't Dance", written by Giles Andreae, has gone on to be such an international best seller. It is such a wonderful story. Equally, the fact that several of the books I've illustrated for Tony Mitton have won awards which were voted for by children is very satisfying. I like to convey feelings in my work by using a vibrant, bouncing line, strong colours and getting expressions just right. I find it very exciting when it all comes together. Oh, and I like drawing lots of animals too.
I enjoy doing school visits to talk about how I illustrate and do some drawing with the audience. I live in Brighton with my wife and three children. It's a half hour walk across the park to get to my studio, which I share with three other illustrators.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 5 reviews
September 21, 2016
It is fair to say that “Dylan The Doctor” has become a bedtime read favourite in our household. Not only because of the story following Dylan attending to his patients, Jolly Otter, Titchy Chick and Purple Puss, but also for the level of interactivity present in this really sweet tale that is enabled by a sub character I have named “The Lady Bird”.
This little lady bird although literally staying on the side-lines follows the story and invites the reader at certain stages of the book to provide some input on his/her own experience in relation to the story.
Now back to Dylan and our friends who also come to rescue Dylan himself. It is understandable that tending to all his friends and running his Kennel-hospital would take its toll. And when this happens, Jolly Otter, Titchy Chick and Purple Puss all rise to the challenge together to provide our friend Dylan with some well deserved TLC.
This lovely illustrated story simply conveys one great message, which is that sometimes, even the ones who help us, need help! This is definitely something worth sharing.
Thanking team @scholasticuk for providing me with a copy of this title.
This little lady bird although literally staying on the side-lines follows the story and invites the reader at certain stages of the book to provide some input on his/her own experience in relation to the story.
Now back to Dylan and our friends who also come to rescue Dylan himself. It is understandable that tending to all his friends and running his Kennel-hospital would take its toll. And when this happens, Jolly Otter, Titchy Chick and Purple Puss all rise to the challenge together to provide our friend Dylan with some well deserved TLC.
This lovely illustrated story simply conveys one great message, which is that sometimes, even the ones who help us, need help! This is definitely something worth sharing.
Thanking team @scholasticuk for providing me with a copy of this title.
August 22, 2016
This review was originally posted on www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
Dylan The Doctor is by Guy Parker-Rees and is gorgeous inside and out with beautiful words and stunning illustrations making this picture book an absolute joy to read.
Firstly…..let me tell you a story I wrote…..
This story features the character created by Guy Parker-Rees in his book Dylan the Doctor and things that happen in the book. Oh and little old me……
One day I woke up and I was feeling rather unwell. I sighed a little, rubbed my eyes to clear the sleepiness from them and stretched until all of my body ached and pulled at every limb.
“Ugh,” I thought to myself. “Nothing is going to make me feel better today!”
I looked down at the bright and beautiful picture book sitting beside me on the bed glinting in the morning sunlight.
In the distance I heard a noise. It was faint but I could hear it getting louder and louder!
“Nee-Naw, Nee-Naw, Nee-Naw!”
All of a sudden a smiley white face with colourful stripes jumped out of the book and appeared before me on my duvet with a doctors kit in hand!
“Today is a making-everyone-better day” he announced throwing his doctors kit down in front of me with a thud.
It was Dylan! Dylan the Doctor! From the book I was reading! Surely this couldn’t be possible!
He threw open his kit with one click and swoosh.
“Do you have Head-shoulders-knees-and-toes-I-tis?” Dylan asked. “If so I have a bandage that will help.”
I looked curiously at Dylan unable to quite believe my eyes. “I don’t think so” I replied weakly with a feeble cough and squinting my eyes to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“Does your arm feel all flappy?” Dylan asked whilst lifting my arm and waggling it about like it was jelly on a plate.
“Well it didn’t, but it does now” I giggled whilst watching my arm flop around in Dylan’s paws.
“I’ve got it!” Dylan said with glee “You have Floppy-Wobble Fever!”
Dylan grabbed some plasters and stuck them all up my arm in a neat little row of pink plastic.
“Do you feel any better now?” Dylan asked me.
I sadly shook my head.
“Well there’s only one thing for it!” Dylan announced!
I gave Dylan a look of confusion as he started to pat the blanket all around me. Tucking me in at every crease and crevice on the bed. He plumped my pillow, made sure I was comfortable and gave me some pink medicine that tasted like sunshine and strawberries on a spoon!
“All this fuss and pink medicine is making me feel so much better Dylan” I said dreamily my eyes half closing due to the cosiness and warmth of the blanket.
Dylan topped up my orange drink by the side of my bed and fed me some super squishy pink and white marshmallows.
“Ta-dah!” Dylan announced proudly producing a get well soon card that had exploded glitter all over Dylan so that he looked like a glistening multi-coloured star!
I took the card off Dylan. “It’s wonderful!” I smiled.
As time went on Dylan sung me a song and performed a little Dylan dance all on his own. He even read me a story or two!
“Oh Dylan, I’m feeling so much better now!”
Dylan smiled proudly beaming from ear to ear. “I told you today was a making-everyone-better day”
At that moment a strange smell filled my nostrils and I looked down to where the smell was coming from.
“Erm, Dylan? What on earth is that stinky sock doing in your doctors kit?” I asked.
Dylan smiled and looked up at me quickly clicking shut his doctors bag.
“That is another story” Dylan announced and jumped straight back into the book I was holding in my hand.
So that was a story I made up after reading Dylan The Doctor.
This picture book is just beautiful. The words, the illustrations and the story as a whole. Friendship and helping people are the moral of this story and a lovely lesson for every child to learn and grow up with along the way. Being kind, loving and caring.
I also loved little Dotty the Bug who appears on pages to ask questions to really get you and your child talking and sharing thoughts and feelings about the book.
I would have loved to see Dylan’s smiling face smiling up at me from the page when I was a toddler. A smile to brighten any ones day completely.
This review was originally posted on www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
Dylan The Doctor is by Guy Parker-Rees and is gorgeous inside and out with beautiful words and stunning illustrations making this picture book an absolute joy to read.
Firstly…..let me tell you a story I wrote…..
This story features the character created by Guy Parker-Rees in his book Dylan the Doctor and things that happen in the book. Oh and little old me……
One day I woke up and I was feeling rather unwell. I sighed a little, rubbed my eyes to clear the sleepiness from them and stretched until all of my body ached and pulled at every limb.
“Ugh,” I thought to myself. “Nothing is going to make me feel better today!”
I looked down at the bright and beautiful picture book sitting beside me on the bed glinting in the morning sunlight.
In the distance I heard a noise. It was faint but I could hear it getting louder and louder!
“Nee-Naw, Nee-Naw, Nee-Naw!”
All of a sudden a smiley white face with colourful stripes jumped out of the book and appeared before me on my duvet with a doctors kit in hand!
“Today is a making-everyone-better day” he announced throwing his doctors kit down in front of me with a thud.
It was Dylan! Dylan the Doctor! From the book I was reading! Surely this couldn’t be possible!
He threw open his kit with one click and swoosh.
“Do you have Head-shoulders-knees-and-toes-I-tis?” Dylan asked. “If so I have a bandage that will help.”
I looked curiously at Dylan unable to quite believe my eyes. “I don’t think so” I replied weakly with a feeble cough and squinting my eyes to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“Does your arm feel all flappy?” Dylan asked whilst lifting my arm and waggling it about like it was jelly on a plate.
“Well it didn’t, but it does now” I giggled whilst watching my arm flop around in Dylan’s paws.
“I’ve got it!” Dylan said with glee “You have Floppy-Wobble Fever!”
Dylan grabbed some plasters and stuck them all up my arm in a neat little row of pink plastic.
“Do you feel any better now?” Dylan asked me.
I sadly shook my head.
“Well there’s only one thing for it!” Dylan announced!
I gave Dylan a look of confusion as he started to pat the blanket all around me. Tucking me in at every crease and crevice on the bed. He plumped my pillow, made sure I was comfortable and gave me some pink medicine that tasted like sunshine and strawberries on a spoon!
“All this fuss and pink medicine is making me feel so much better Dylan” I said dreamily my eyes half closing due to the cosiness and warmth of the blanket.
Dylan topped up my orange drink by the side of my bed and fed me some super squishy pink and white marshmallows.
“Ta-dah!” Dylan announced proudly producing a get well soon card that had exploded glitter all over Dylan so that he looked like a glistening multi-coloured star!
I took the card off Dylan. “It’s wonderful!” I smiled.
As time went on Dylan sung me a song and performed a little Dylan dance all on his own. He even read me a story or two!
“Oh Dylan, I’m feeling so much better now!”
Dylan smiled proudly beaming from ear to ear. “I told you today was a making-everyone-better day”
At that moment a strange smell filled my nostrils and I looked down to where the smell was coming from.
“Erm, Dylan? What on earth is that stinky sock doing in your doctors kit?” I asked.
Dylan smiled and looked up at me quickly clicking shut his doctors bag.
“That is another story” Dylan announced and jumped straight back into the book I was holding in my hand.
So that was a story I made up after reading Dylan The Doctor.
This picture book is just beautiful. The words, the illustrations and the story as a whole. Friendship and helping people are the moral of this story and a lovely lesson for every child to learn and grow up with along the way. Being kind, loving and caring.
I also loved little Dotty the Bug who appears on pages to ask questions to really get you and your child talking and sharing thoughts and feelings about the book.
I would have loved to see Dylan’s smiling face smiling up at me from the page when I was a toddler. A smile to brighten any ones day completely.
This review was originally posted on www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
October 9, 2016
Dylan the dog is playing at doctors and his friends are his patients.
What a super and vibrant picture book for young children. Dylan the Doctor has great value as it is the kind of book parents can share with their children several times. Firstly, there is the story itself which is fun and accessible as Dylan bandages, administers plasters and medicine and generally takes care of his friends.
The illustrations are lovely and there’s plenty to look at and discuss with children. Also, I really liked the inclusion of Dotty Bug who not only provides extra commentary but also speaks directly to children enabling them to play an active role in reading and storytelling as they answer her questions.
Another benefit of Dylan The Doctor is that it deals with the subject of doctors and hospitals in a way that is non-threatening and I think the book would make a wonderful gift for small children who are going in to hospital or visiting people there for the first time. Other themes that are positively represented are the importance of friendship and being kind to others which are valuable lessons for children to learn.
I have one small criticism (and this is with my ex-English teacher and inspector hat on) and that is that the Y in Dylan looks lower case in an otherwise uppercase word and I’d like it to be more consistent. That said, however, there are some super touches to promote literacy with the alliterative Purple Puss, the onomatopoeic nee-naw of the ambulance and the creative compound words such as Jolly Otter’s ‘Floppy-Wobble’ fever.
I think Dylan The Doctor is the start of a smashing new series that children will love.
What a super and vibrant picture book for young children. Dylan the Doctor has great value as it is the kind of book parents can share with their children several times. Firstly, there is the story itself which is fun and accessible as Dylan bandages, administers plasters and medicine and generally takes care of his friends.
The illustrations are lovely and there’s plenty to look at and discuss with children. Also, I really liked the inclusion of Dotty Bug who not only provides extra commentary but also speaks directly to children enabling them to play an active role in reading and storytelling as they answer her questions.
Another benefit of Dylan The Doctor is that it deals with the subject of doctors and hospitals in a way that is non-threatening and I think the book would make a wonderful gift for small children who are going in to hospital or visiting people there for the first time. Other themes that are positively represented are the importance of friendship and being kind to others which are valuable lessons for children to learn.
I have one small criticism (and this is with my ex-English teacher and inspector hat on) and that is that the Y in Dylan looks lower case in an otherwise uppercase word and I’d like it to be more consistent. That said, however, there are some super touches to promote literacy with the alliterative Purple Puss, the onomatopoeic nee-naw of the ambulance and the creative compound words such as Jolly Otter’s ‘Floppy-Wobble’ fever.
I think Dylan The Doctor is the start of a smashing new series that children will love.
April 7, 2017
Children’s picture books are my all time favourite! The brightness, colours and the smiles that came from my child while reading this book was brilliant. Lily-May is only 20 months old but she got to much out if this book (we have read it umpteen times!) She loved to make the dog and cat noises and loves turning the pages
Displaying 1 - 4 of 5 reviews