Product Description

The Scallywags are a bunch of rather messy noisy wolves who find it rather hard to behave properly. But as they soon discover, if it means losing your friends, then just maybe it's time to practise those manners... Only things start to get a little tiring, when they start telling everyone else what to do! (20021207)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46736 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Review
Pure delight. (Carousel )

On David's previous books: 'It's funny and original and an absolute delight to read aloud - a perfect bedtime read.' (THE PARENT'S GUIDE )

An ideal bedtime book ... This delightful tale is a true charmer ... Melling's witty illustrations are packed with imaginative detail, including the masterly touch of a delicate golden line tracing the swerling path of the kiss. (The Scotsman )

'Full of unexpected twists and turns The Kiss That Missed is a wonderful literary example of how to temper fearsome episdoes with humour. ... this story is one which will demand endless rereading.' (writeaway.org.uk )

A deliciously written, illustrated and presented book. The Scallywags are a pack of wolves, always late, clumsy and smelly, causing the other animals to decide life is better without them. However, when they tidy themselves up, they become so clean, tidy and polite their detractors no longer recognise them! The text humorously celebrates difference and tolerance and the wonderfully energetic, funny illustrations deserve careful attention. (Booktrusted.co.uk )

…David Melling’s touch is light but this is a thought-provoking and refreshing storyline. (The Guardian )

...exuberant pictures... impressive (Publishers Weekly )

This is a lovely book and David Melling's illustrations are excellent. (writeaway.org )

David Melling's touch is light but this is at thought-provoking and refreshing storyline. (The Guardian )

A fun story about acceptance with really amusing pictures

About the Author
David Melling was born in Oxford. His father was a sculptor and David inherited his artistic leanings. David has received much recognition for his artistic talent. His first book was shortlisted for the Smarties Book Award and more recently, The Kiss That Missed was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award. His recent picture book, The Tale of Jack Frost was animated and shown on BBC1 on Christmas Day with a voice over by Hugh Laurie. It was shortlisted for the Pulcinella Award 2005 for `Best TV Movie` category. David Melling is married and lives with his wife and two children in Oxfordshire. (20021207)

Customer Reviews

Great fun pictures and a lively story of wolves who try and teach themselves better manners with mixed results
The Scallywags are a bunch of appealing wolves, that's to say scruffy and foolish with lolloping tongues and enormous tripping-over feet rather than the terrifying variety. They stumble into the story, late, annoying the rest of the animals one time too many so they are not invited to join in anything anymore. The wolves (Jumble, Earwax, Brooz, etc.) decide they need to educate themselves about polite ways of behaving and so they do a little spying and put into practice what they learn to unexpected effect and a cheerful if messy ending. The illustrations are smashing as you'd expect from David Melling - friendly amusing pictures guaranteed to make you smile. Look out, for example, for the little wolf toothbrushing his ear and the bear slapping the pig around the head with two halves of a sandwich. There are great parallels between the behaviour of the wolves and of the children enjoying the story (in our house anyway) which will keep the adult reader smiling - and you never know, your children might just learn something. I'd like to see more of these fellows in the future. Great from age 3.....

Great fun pictures and a lively story of wolves who try and teach themselves better manners with mixed results
The Scallywags are a bunch of appealing wolves, that's to say scruffy and foolish with lolloping tongues and enormous tripping-over feet rather than the terrifying variety. They stumble into the story, late, annoying the rest of the animals one time too many so they are not invited to join in anything anymore. The wolves (Jumble, Earwax, Brooz, etc.) decide they need to educate themselves about polite ways of behaving and so they do a little spying and put into practice what they learn to unexpected effect and a cheerful if messy ending. The illustrations are smashing as you'd expect from David Melling - friendly amusing pictures guaranteed to make you smile. Look out, for example, for the little wolf toothbrushing his ear and the bear slapping the pig around the head with two halves of a sandwich. There are great parallels between the behaviour of the wolves and of the children enjoying the story (in our house anyway) which will keep the adult reader smiling - and you never know, your children might just learn something. I'd like to see more of these fellows in the future. Great from age 3.....