Pippa and the Sheep Snatchers

Gumboot Gary and Digger Dan are looking for a quick way to make some money, so they decide to steal sheep from the local farmers. Unfortunately for them, one of the sheep is a much-loved pet belonging to Pippa, and she is determined to bring the robbers to justice.

Pippa is an enterprising little girl who is ultimately responsible for the apprehension of the villains without much helpful input from any adults. She is resourceful, sensible and courageous – a great role model for readers. The book is written with lots of humour and is full of little anecdotes about rural living. There is also a side plot as the community decide to rid the area of possums, to the horror of possum owner Digger Dan. It is good to find a book with rural children in mind.

'Pippa and the Sheep Snatchers' is a quick and easy book to read with black and white illustrations scattered throughout the story to emphasise the funny and dramatic moments. The reader is left on a bit of a cliffhanger, so no doubt there will be another adventure to follow.