Jack Russell & Company

Description: Jack Russell & Company is an adventure story for dog lovers and children of ages. It's about a large group of dogs and other animals who embark on an adventure to save a lost puppy. Max, the central character is a Jack Russell terrier who longs to be able to fly. He is assisted by Meg, a Westie, several other doggie characters of uncertain origin and a pompous murder of crows.

	Max is a Jack Russell with many secret gifts who dreams of flying one day. One wild and stormy night a small, wet Jack Russell terrier arrives at a mysterious old house and announces that he can fly!!
	Sam was a very special Jack Russell who, in his time, had become a legend in the forest.
	Meg, a West Highland White Terrier, had dreams of becoming a ballerina one day and dancing at Covent Garden in a pale pink tutu with sequins on the bodice.
	Millie, a Westie puppy, stole Max's best piece of sausage after breakfast: chased the geese until they lost their temper, and did puddles on the kitchen floor!!
	Bertie is tall, iron grey and wiry, with a face that aptly portrays his powerful intellect.
	Hodge is a large hairy dog of uncertain origin, a lover of music and poetry who likes to be in state of high drama whenever possible.
	Hamish is a tall, scruffy looking dog, with a handsome and debonair charm about him. He has been forced to live rough in the forest so that he could be near to his beloved Rosie.
	Rosie is a pretty brown and white spaniel. Hamish promised her that they would always be together.
	Bridie and Murphy are Meg’s best friends, except for Max, and are always by her side through the adventures ahead.
	Murphy is a scruffy old terrier who never went anywhere without Meg if he could possibly help it.
	Maisie is a bulldog who was always late when she arrives with her spike and rubbish bag.
	Montgomery is a dark, golden retriever from a very distinguished military family. He is only waiting for his moment when he can prove his bravery and courage to all those around him.
	Miss Scarlett is a Red Setter of such elegance and style.
	Plato is a very serious little Dachshund.
	Merlin is a black cat of great importance.
	Mr and Mrs Goosey are the large white geese who patrol the side hedge by the lane.
	Ageneta Stickybeak & Rev. Cuthbert are the most important crows of the Blackwing Dynasty of Grand Crows. Will they teach Max to fly?

Best Features: As a Jack Russell owner I found the descriptions of the terrier traits amusing and could certainly relate many of these to my own gang i.e. 'neck encrusted with a strong-smelling substance that would make Grandma really cross' and 'snarling fiercely at the puppy.' There are also plenty of nice illustrations which younger children will appreciate.

Could be better: As it is a children’s book I had initially intended to read Jack Russell and Company to my friend’s five year old but the text proved too flowery to hold his attention for very long although he was interested in the story itself.

However, to be fair, the book is aimed at 9-14 year olds. Not knowing any children of this age group, I cannot really say whether it would be a suitable read for them. I have read the Harry Potter series and believe this is aimed at the same age bracket so wonder if the storyline is somewhat immature particularly for the upper end of the age scale.

Design & Format: The book is well presented, has a nice feel and has plenty of colourful illustrations. Paperback. ISBN: 0955019508

Overall Rating: 6/10 as it is a nice book but I’m not sure it is aimed at the right audience.

Price: £8.99. Post-free in the UK if ordered through Gazelle Book Services Credit Card Hotline: 01524-68765. Add £3.50 for orders outside the UK.

Value for Money: Not sure how it compares to other children’s books but seems reasonable to me.

About the Author:
Trudi Edgar lives in an old house in Dorset with her husband. Since their three sons have grown up and gone out into the world, they have turned the house into a very busy Bed and Breakfast. People visit them from every corner of the world, and their two dogs Max and Millie have become highly skilled at 'working' the dining room. They always manage to get a piece of sausage or bacon from someone.

They have had many wonderful dogs and cats over the years and most of them are in the book somewhere.

About the Reviewer...
Vicky Shelton has been competing in agility for about seven years. Currently she runs both her JRT Fraggle and his Border Terrier X niece Fable, at Advanced level with Fidget, Fable's litter sister, making an appearance in Novice classes >when she feels like it! Fraggle's claim to fame is that he had a role in the first series of Dr Who, was recently in Welsh soap opera Pobl y Cwm and is currently filming Casualty.

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Jack Russell & Company

The story of the flying Jack

Could be better: As it is a children’s book I had initially intended to read Jack Russell and Company to my friend’s five year old but the text proved too flowery to hold his attention for very long although he was interested in the story itself.