Kids into Books: The Hundred and One Dalmatians

Author: Dodie Smith

Illustrators: Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone

Publisher: Mammoth, $16.95

Age Group: 8-11 years


"What a pity we're not a real cook and butler," said Nanny Cook.

"Yes, that's what's needed now," said Nanny Butler.

And then they both together had the Great Idea: Nanny Cook would train to be a real cook and Nanny Butler would train to be a real butler. They would start the very next day and be fully trained by the wedding.

"But you'll have to be a parlour maid, really," said Nanny Cook.

"Certainly not," said Nanny Butler. "I haven't the figure for it. I shall be a real butler - and I shall valet Mr Dearly, which will need no training as I've done it since the day he was born."

And so when the Dearlys and the Pongos got back from their joint honeymoon, there were Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler, fully trained, ready to welcome them into the little house facing Regent's Park.

It came as something of a shock that Nanny Butler was wearing trousers.