Who doesn’t know Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy; Bitzer Maloney all skinny and bony; and Schnitzel von Krumm with a very low tum? With their astute evocation of animal behaviour, energetic verse and lively illustrations, Lynley Dodd’s much-loved books featuring her famous animal characters have sold over nine million copies worldwide.

Dodd has won numerous prizes for her work and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Waikato University. As part of Young Writers and Readers Day Lynley read from her classic books, described how her enduring characters and stories came into being, and shared anecdotes about her life and work.

AGE RECOMMENDATION: 6-10