It is really great to see this fantastic series of full colour comic style books, for the younger reader. As a reader in the 1960s and 1970s, I remember the adventures of characters such as Rupert Bear, Danger Mouse and then later Asterix and Tintin. However, these were all created as annuals or as large format books and it is only in recent years that we have seen the arrival of graphic novels in a smaller format.
This series feature a dog called Peggy and her friends in the animal village of Tangletree, but especially her young sidekick Stu. I particularly enjoy the fact that there are two separate adventures in each of the two books so far, which makes it a pleasure to read with the younger audience. In both of the books Peggy is going for her morning walk with her owner, who then throws her ball into the woods, with Peggy going to retrieve it. However, when Peggy enters the wood everything changes and she becomes a sleuth who help the other animals solve the crimes and mysteries in their village. It also seems to have a different time zone, so that when Peggy leaves, little or no time has passed in the real world.
Peggy and Stu Investigate volume 1
Slime Time
Welbeck Children’s Books, 978-1801300735
When Peggy arrives in Tangletree woods, she is hoping for more mysteries to solve, but does not imagine it would involve all of her friends. She finds that everyone is extremely sleepy and covered in a really foul smelling slime. can our intrepid investigator find the culprit behind all of these events and can they be stopped?
Mud Race
This episode involves the animals taking part in the annual mud race, only this year the route is being created by a new design of track laying machine. When the machine appears to go out of control, without its driver and creates a dangerous route for the race, the investigators have to save the day and prevent anyone getting hurt.
Peggy and Sue Play the Wrong Notes volume 2
Trumpet Trouble
Welbeck Children’s Books, 978-1801301534
On this occasion, Peggy arrives at the village to find everyone preparing for the spring dance that evening, but then Joan, the squirrel arrives with her trumpet that is not playing properly. Then the trumpet takes flight and the investigators have to race after it; but who has ever heard of a trumpet that can move by itself? Of course there is a solution and it consists of a tiny creature, called a Peskie, that has hidden in the instrument and has been attempting to take it to its own home, for their own party. As with all of these stories, all’s well that ends well and everyone has a great time.
Cake Crimes
When Peggy arrive at Tangletree village she discovers that it is the grand unveiling of a new statue to the mayor and a party is going to take place. To help in this, a pop-up bakery has set up in the square and everyone thinks the cakes are fabulous. Unfortunately, they eat so many sweet things that they all start to get toothache; then a dentist sets up and is willing to treat them, but is this too much of a coincidence? It is up to the intrepid Peggy to save the day and find out what has been going on.
What a delightful series of stories for those who are just starting the reading journey. The comic style illustrations provide an excellent flow to the stories and there is just enough text to keep the plots going at a quick pace. I love the way that the illustrator has varied the layout of each of the frames and also the dazzling array of colours that we see. The books combine adventure, friendship and a lot of humour, whilst also providing lessons about acceptable behaviour. These are very highly recommended and I look forward to the next in the series, coming in June 2025. It is called “Peggy and Stu hear something strange”
About the creators
Joel Stewart and Steve Roberts collaborate closely, both writing and illustrating the Tangletree series
together. Previously they collaborated on TV animation including Abney & Teal and BOT and the
Beasties.
Steve has also created DipDap and Twirlywoos for Ragdoll, which both won Children’s BAFTAs. Before
his work in television Steve was a freelance illustrator in comics.
Joel has also illustrated for Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, Michael Bond as well as his own picture
books.
worked in Bristol for 20 years and had the opportunity to bring books and information to schools, about the heritage that different communities bring to this vibrant city. I was also lucky enough to be at Tilbury Docks on the day that commemorated the arrival of the “Empire Windrush”, 75 years ago and the references to the way some of the immigrants have been treated, really does resonate. However, what really struck me is the wonderful sense of family that we are shown, despite the friction between Sunshine’s mother and grandmother. We also have the way that heritage can be remembered through music and food in particular. So as part of the school fundraiser the children choose to bake cakes or biscuits from their own cultures; we have the recipe for the one that Sunshine made at the back of the book and I think I may well have to give it a try, it looks quite scrummy! Overall this is one of those joyous books, where problems are faced and overcome and where the strong bonds of family and friendship are so important. Hopefully we will have more adventures for this band of friends in the future. A five star, feel good story.
stuffed green olives or hunting out a slice of cake. She enjoys nothing better than snatching time to read a good book and losing herself whilst imagining characters and storylines. The Sunshine Simpson series is particularly inspired by G.M.’s parents, who arrived in Britain, from Jamaica, as part of the Windrush generation, in the 1950s.