Doggone Crazy

This action-packed and humorous story is the third in a series about a Grandad inventor, his dog called DaVinci, and his two grandchildren: Finn and Sally. There are references to events from the previous books, but this story can be read alone. It begins with an invisibility dog collar, which allows DaVinci to escape and cause mayhem in the town. After many adventures, and twists in the plot (including Finn becoming invisible), the story ends with Finn saving Sally’s life.

Although there is much to laugh about, this story has its serious side. Current issues such as the new bill to enable police to arrest rough sleepers is referenced when a policeman tells Sally, “Our new policy has eradicated homelessness almost entirely.” He can’t say what has happened to them, but adds, “As long as they are invisible, everyone’s happy.”

The target age group will enjoy this story, and the breathless plot will help to keep reluctant readers engaged until the end. An appealing font, plenty of white space and funny illustrations sprinkled throughout enhance the reading experience.