Hairy Maclary Scattercat
By Lynley Dodd
The Story
A bumptious, bustling little dog chases and hustles every cat in the neighborhood — until he meets Scarface Claw, the toughest tomcat in town, and the tables turn.
Why It's Special
For the kid who loves a good chase and a bigger laugh when the chaser gets chased right back, this one delivers both.
- Big idea: Swagger only gets you so far — there's always someone tougher waiting around the corner.
- Vibes: Bouncy, rollicking, and full of comic momentum.
Perfect For Kids Who
- love rhyming, rhythmic language
- enjoy funny animal stories with a twist ending
- like to chant along with repeating character names
- respond well to a story with a satisfying comeuppance
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story recall: Which cats did Hairy Maclary chase before he met Scarface Claw?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Hairy Maclary felt when Scarface Claw turned the tables on him?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever teased someone and then gotten a surprise back?
- Imagination: If you were Scarface Claw, what would you do when Hairy Maclary came bustling up?
- Language play: Can you say 'bumptious and bustly, bossy and bouncy' really fast?
