The unconventional naturalist, Professor Popple, lives in a large secluded house in the heart of England. Here, he studies wildlife species which are sent to him from all over the world. But one day, an unknown creature arrives to give Professor Popple much more than he bargained for!
The Little Furry Creature
The Little Furry Creature sits on the front cover, nonchalantly biting into a handful of biscuits. This is our introduction to an engaging, irresistible character. And Professor Popple is fascinated by this strange new creature! Along with the Professor, we soon find out that the Little Furry Creature is ‘intelligent and bright’. He is inquisitive and ‘interested in everything’.
Professor Popple and his Neighbours
The Professor’s neighbours pop up in the story at times like a delightfully gloomy Greek chorus. Although Jack and his mother obviously think the Little Furry Creature is adorable, the other neighbours advise the Professor to ‘keep him in a cage to suit his size’. They recommend that he should eat fruit, in spite of the Little Furry Creature’s predilection for coffee and biscuits. Tibby the Cat is greatly suspicious of the Little Furry Creature, especially when his personal cat basket is taken over by this annoying house guest.
Text and Illustrations
The book has a vibrant, rhyming text which tells the story with economy and humour. This makes it an excellent choice for reading aloud to young children, and for slightly older readers, the text is clear, entertaining and easy to follow.
There are attractive, detailed illustrations throughout the book, which give the reader more insight into what the characters are like and how they live. Children enjoy noticing the Professor’s idiosyncratic outfits, and the mysterious paraphernalia in his study. We can see in the illustrations how beautifully Mrs Morris keeps house for the Professor and looks after him. And the pictures bring the reader into the drama of the story, and its surprise ending.
Get your copy of ‘Professor Popple and the Little Furry Creature‘ and find out what happens! Children will soon love the Little Furry Creature, and want to have him in their own home too!
Published by LRM Books and printed in the UK. Available from Goldcrest Gallery.