By Julia Donaldson (author) , Sara Ogilvie (illustrator)
"Heart-warming rhyming picture book in which Dot the hospital dog brings joy to the children of Wallaby Ward"
Board book In Stock £7.99 £7.19
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
View All Editions (2)
Inspired by the author’s visit to a children’s hospital during which she saw first-hand the powerful positive impact visits from dogs can have on young patients, Julia Donaldson’s The Hospital Dog will put a wag in the tails of readers young and old, and ease pre-hospital anxiety. It’s a soul-warming hug of a book, with classic Donaldson rhymes, and Sara Ogilvie’s child-centred illustrations adding yet more characterful energy.
Owned by Rose, a lovely lady “with rings on her fingers and specs on her nose”, Dot the dalmatian is a very special canine, for she’s the hospital dog on Wallaby Ward. The story follows Dot around her daily round of the ward, during which she allays the fears of newly arrived Bea, entertains bored teenager Gus, “calms down a doctor, cheers up a mummy” and “lets little Tyler play Tickle Dot’s Tummy.”
Bouncing with Dot’s boundless love and energy, this brims with kindness and joy.
A big-hearted rhyming tale about a very special, very brave dog, written by the brilliant Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie, creators of Gozzle and the Number One bestselling The Detective Dog.After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital. Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they're always pleased to see her too; from a crying baby to a bored teenager - a pat, a stroke and a cuddle with Dot cheers everyone up. But the work of the hospital dog doesn't stop there and when one of her patients is in trouble, it's up to Dot to save the day!Written by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, and illustrated by the multi-talented illustrator and print-maker Sara Ogilvie, The Hospital Dog is fantastic rhyming story about friendship and bravery and was the winner of the Indie Book Awards 2021.Look out for more animal adventures by Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie: Gozzle and The Detective Dog.
Read the full description
A big-hearted rhyming tale about a very special, very brave dog, written by the brilliant Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie, creators of Gozzle and the Number One bestselling The Detective Dog. After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital. Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they're always pleased to see her too; from a crying baby to a bored teenager - a pat, a stroke and a cuddle with Dot cheers everyone up. But the work of the hospital dog doesn't stop there and when one of her patients is in trouble, it's up to Dot to save the day! Written by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo , and illustrated by the multi-talented illustrator and print-maker Sara Ogilvie, The Hospital Dog is fantastic rhyming story about friendship and bravery and was the winner of the Indie Book Awards 2021. Look out for more animal adventures by Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie: Gozzle and The Detective Dog .
The NHS and dogs; each keeps the nation's heart beating. Trust Julia Donaldson, the rhymetastic author . . . to put the two together in a story that barks to our age. [P]aired with the supremely talented Sara Ogilvie . . . whose beautiful, humorous ink drawings match perfectly the bounding words. [T]he rhymes fly, the heart jumps. It's guaranteed to give children and parents the literary equivalent of a giant welcome home wag. -- Alex O'Connell, Children's Book of the Week - The Times
The verse skips along as cheerfully as Dot on her way round Wallaby Ward. -- Imogen Carter - Observer
This is a truly wonderful book. The story is told in rhyming couplets which are delicious to read aloud and share with children. The bright illustrations are full of life, warmth, expression and tiny details that make this a wonderful book to come back to again and again. There's always something new to see! The illustrations are inclusive in terms of ethnicity and disability which make this a brilliant book for all to read. - BookTrust
Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child , which together have sold over 25 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages.
Her other books include Room on the Broom, Stick Man and Zog, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Hospital Dog, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures, illustrated by Lydia Monks.
Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series, illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand.
She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011–13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature.
Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.
Click here to read a Q & A with Julia.
Author photo © Steve Ullathorne
Woof! Best Children's Books for Kids Who Love Dogs
Be Kind: Children’s Books That Teach Kindness and Anti-Bullying
the best books for 5-7 year olds · the best books about starting school
I Love You Every Colour
A big-hearted rhyming tale about a very special, very brave dog, written by the brilliant Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie, creators of Gozzle and the Number One bestselling The Detective Dog.After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital. Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they're always pleased to see her too; from a crying baby to a bored teenager - a pat, a stroke and a cuddle with Dot cheers everyone up.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Hospital Dog and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old
The Hospital Dog features in the following genres: Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 5+ readers, Recommendations, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Animal Stories, Featured Books for 3+ readers
Board book, Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Hospital Dog was written by Julia Donaldson and published by Macmillan Children's Books an imprint of Pan Macmillan
The Hospital Dog has 30 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.