Dandy and Dazza

by Mike Dumbleton, Brett Curzon (Illustrator)

Dandy and Dazza are different in so many ways. Dandy is a best in show sort of hound. Dazza is a rough and tumble sort of mongrel. Can these very different dogs ever be friends?

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 10, 2021

About the author

Mike Dumbleton is a writer and Literacy Consultant. He has worked in South Australian High Schools, New York City Schools and as a Literacy Curriculum Officer for the South Australian Education Department. In addition to children’s books, he has written a range of educational texts.

Part of his interest in writing stems from the fact that his grandfather was a local poet in an Oxfordshire village in England, who regularly recited his poems to the family, with or without requests!

Mike came to Australia with his wife Linda in 1972. He was always interested in writing but a young family and many sporting activities kept him fully occupied until he decided he wasn’t getting any better at basketball and his three children were old enough to allow him some uninterrupted time. He then began writing picture books at the same time as devising educational texts for teachers.

Reviews

[Dimity Powell]

This creation by picture book stars, Mike Dumbleton and Brett Curzon is a satisfying exploration of opposites and contrary opinions, illustrating in eye-filling glorious colour how, if left to collide, they can create the most pawesome partnerships. Yes, Dandy and Dazza are dogs, one a best in show kind of hound, aka a snob of refined luxuries, the other a rough and tumble sort of mongrel, who sports his own halo of blowflies. Hilarious imagery and repeated phraseology will have tiny tots hooting with laughter and hurrahing with encouragement as Dazza and Dandy finally hook up, bunking conventions and proving that not only can opposites attract but also result in beautiful beneficial relationships. Frolicsome fun.

[Ryan]

I love reading this book. Cant wait to.use it at storytime

[Nichole]

I'm personally trying to stop using phrases like "go crazy" and "it's crazy," etc. This book uses them a lot.