Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet

Hairy Maclary #5

by Lynley Dodd

Recounts in rhyme the rumpus at the veterinarian's when all the animals get out of their cages.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Poetry, Humor

32 pages, Library Binding

First published December 12, 1989

About the author

Dame Lynley Dodd is an internationally celebrated writer for children whose titles are highly regarded and much loved by her readers in New Zealand and around the world. Her stories are known for their lively sound qualities, curious animal characters, and the memorable illustrations that accompany the text. Lynley has received numerous awards, both for her writing and illustration, and in 2002 she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to children’s literature.

Lynley was a founding member of Bookrapt in 1983.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hairy Maclarey books have it all, beautiful illustrations, funny stories which captivate small children, and a rhythm to the verse which makes them a joy for parents to read too. This story builds the chaos of a group of animals running amok at the vets beautifully, ending with a twist which brings you right back to the beginning again. Buy one and you will find yourself coming back for the others!

[Arnaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has some hard to read words but I liked it

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down at the Vet's there were all sorts of pets and they had a variety of illnesses including 'flu, tummy ache, ear and toe trouble and sniffles and snuffles. Hairy Maclary was also there with one of his front paws in a sling.

The dogs, budgies, mice, cats, kittens and even a goat were troublesome while they were waiting and the surgery got into rather a mess!

The Vet came out, very annoyed but he ended up on the floor after tripping over all the mess.

Then from among the tangle of bodies, paws and jaws, Cassie the Cockatoo poked her head out of her cage and gave something a tweak and for the second time while waiting Hairy Maclary jumped high in the air!

Another treat from Lynley Dodd with a riotous collection of animals in the Vet's surgery waiting room!

[Declan Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

DECLAN REVIEWS CHILDREN'S BOOKS #5

Hairy Maclary has now faced the insidious Scarface Claw. What could possibly come next?

A manic galah, who proves to be one of the HMEU's most compelling villains. Seriously, this galah is like the HMEU version of the Joker. Didn't he say he was "Like a galah chasing cars..."? Anyhow, much like the Joker, this antagonist is bent on wreaking havoc. As Alfred insightfully points out "Some galahs just want to watch the world burn." This one certainly does.

However, it seems that HM, unlike Batman, has no intention of stopping him. In fact, HM seems committed to exacerbating the situation. After all, it's only the silly humans who want peace and order and that garbage.

Finally, this instalment of the HMEU features a killer ending, which will leave you dreading that the whole thing's going to happen all over again. Which it probably will, if your child is as obsessed with this story as Lachlan and Pheobe are.

Recommended.

[Morag]

The usual rhythmic rhymes and vibrant drawings make this a typically fun HM book. The ending is odd though. It sort of just peters out whereas I'd been expecting Scarface Claw, seen in the corner of one of the last few pages, to become involved in the fray and put a stop to it by terrifying everyone back to their cages, baskets and boxes...! But he does neither. Or am I missing something?

[crίѕтίŋα•●Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ●• · Rating 4 out of 5]

💉🩺
Down at the Vet’s
there were all kinds of pets
with troubles and woes
from their ears to their toes.
Sniffles and snuffles
and doses of flu,
itches and stitches
and tummy ache too.
So many animals,
watchful and wary,
and Hairy Maclary
from Donaldson’s Dairy.
💉🩺

[Lisa]

Cute

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad my own vet visits never turn out this way! A fun chain reaction sort of story (even circling back around to that cockatoo and her swishy target). The sort of pattern like in the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series, where things come back around full circle. Could be a fun storytime read for any sort of pet, or about vets or pet ownership.

Dodd is a NZ author who was recommended to us by one of our British patrons. So, these books might be a little harder to find with an average US vendor. Worth it, though. Her books have sweet illustrations and great rhyming schemes - repetitive enough for the kids to catch on, but not so sing-songy that the reader (group or one-on-one) would go nuts.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time we ever have to take the cat or dog to the vet for a vaccine my son always volunteers to come along BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK! He would like nothing more than the mayhem depicted here to happen in real life: a bowlful of mice spilling out onto the floor, four budgies flying to the ceiling being chased by four kittens, a goat in a thundering rage and even the poor vet tripping over a lead. Of course it never happens at our vet's but then he hasn't got Hairy Maclary as a customer. Another inspired instalment in the Hairy Maclary series, thank you Lynley Dodd.

[C Exley Books (Cassandra) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this with my five year old son and two year old daughter for their bedtime story.

I remember the Hairy Maclary books from when I was little but I don't remember this one. My kids both love this one. This book has a really good rhyme to it and young readers will have a fun time reading this book.

All questions answered by my son (Nicholas).

Do you like this book?
Nicholas said "yes"

What do you think of the cover?
Nicholas said "Cool"

Do you want me to read it again?
Nicholas said "Yes"

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hairy Maclary is sitting at the vet in the waiting room with lots of other pets when Cassie the cockatoo sees something twitch. Cassie snaps the twitching something, which happens to be a part of Hairy's tail. This causes Hairy to jump and starts domino affect of hilarious chaos throughout the vet's waiting room.

The combination of well done rhyming text, good vocabulary, and hilarious illustrations of the comedy of errors make this a sure-to-please choice for a wide variety of ages.

[Allyson Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another standout in the Hairy Maclary opus. This one has a fun relationship between the text and the illustrations. The rhyming is fun and there is a lot to look at on each page. Vibrant illustrations give the story more depth and something to talk about, a blessed relief if it is the twentieth time you've read it.

[Liam Stamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple but effective rhyming book which can teach children similarities between different words with regards to whether they sound to each other. I wasn’t too sure on the story line of the novel, but young children would still read and enjoy the book I’m sure. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 would be most suitable

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vet waiting rooms appear to be dangerous places! Fortunately our wonderful vet never makes us wait.
I usually give Hairy Maclary books 4 stars - this book was a little off the normal quality. I just felt the story was a little predictable, and rhythm wasn't up to the usual standard.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute story of the animals in the waiting room at the vet. A kerfuffle of large proportions breaks out when the cockatoo reaches through its cage bars to nibble at Hairy Maclary's tail fur.

Fun, silly illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A visit to the vet by Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy started off peaceful, that is until Cassie the cockatoo locked in her cage saw something twitch, and with her beak she gave it a tweak. That was how the rumpus was started, and what a chain reaction it turned out to be.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got a bingo here - fifth book in the series, and the fifth one I have read, with more hilarity from good old Hairy Maclary - what a great character he is! I will have to try and eventually read the wholee series.

[Rebecca Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with a child whilst on placement and they loved it! The rhyme of the book makes it a really enjoyable book to read aloud and the child loved looking at the different illustrations of the chaos that was happening at the vets.

[Immy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As chaos disrupts at the vets we learn about all the animals there to visit that day.

Educationally this book helps children come to terms with complex literary terminology, from rhyming to alliteration to onomatopoeic expressions this book covers all bases in a fun, entertaining way.

[Peggy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even more fun with Hairy Maclary! My three-year-old son just loves these books! We read them over and over and over. Great pictures, too.

[Judy Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

Grandchildren and grandnieces and nephews are giving me the opportunity to enjoy Lynley Dodd's delightful picture books all over again!

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playful-Bouncey rhyme is sure to delight...reminds me of cat's vet visit flight.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough but I couldn't get over the irresponsible pet owners!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3 year old didn't like this one as much - no Slinky Malinki or Scarface Claw.

[Rachel Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Hairy Maclary!

[Jessica Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hairy meets dogs, a cockatoo, a goat, and a cat. The vet visit is full of adventure and alluring imagery. It is hard to not turn a page and laugh at what you see. The book is short and sweet. It leaves a smile on your face without even trying.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has a really good rhyme to it young readers will have a fun time reading this book with their parents

[Megan Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

[Lara Bate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of animals who are waiting to see the vet. A cockatoo nips Hairy Maclary and this sets off a ruckus with the other animals.

[Pennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hairy Maclary and all his animal friends are up to their usual active, chaotic selves, down at the vet this time.