"I Will Love You Anyway" by Mick and Chloe Inkpen (Hodder Children's Books)

"I Don't Do Sit, I Don't Do Stay" - with these opening lines, he stole our hearts away. Meet Mick and Chloe Inkpen's latest fabulous canine creation in "I Will Love You Anyway"...

Mick Inkpen is, of course, a children's book legend. Kipper and Wibbly Pig are much-loved creations. Now working with his daughter Chloe, Mick has also created Zoe and Beans and now a new heartwarming story about a rather mischievous pooch.

In "I Will Love You Anyway" the story unfolds from a dog's perspective, a tiny scamp of a puppy - all big eyes and gnashing teeth who is the much-loved pet of a little boy who thinks the world of his imperfect pal.

The pup does get into lots of trouble. Anything's ripe for chewing, and local cats never know whether to cower in fear or give hearty chase to this little canine cutie.

You never can be too sure whether cats will turn on you at a moment's notice! YELP!

The problem is, as much as the young lad adores his dog, the young lad's parents really have had about enough. "We cannot cope" they mumble and murmur, and so the dog runs off for the very last time.

Lost, alone, scared - the poor little scamp is out in the middle of the night where traffic zooms by and creepy crawlies rustle in the undergrowth. Dog looks doomed but perhaps there's someone looking out for him after all...someone coming to the rescue!

We think dog is very brave, chewing socks like that! Eugh!

Charlotte adored this book from the moment we saw the cover, and wanted to hear it three times in a row the day it arrived. Now and again I spot her sneaking off for a read on her own (I think she rather loves this naughty little dog despite his chewing, scratching and biting!).

He is a naughty dog but so adorable!

As you'd expect from the Inkpens it's utterly perfect storytelling. Each rhyme is beautifully paced and lets you sing-song your way through the story. Each illustration is full of busy doggy antics and exquisite little details. Even if you're more of a cat person than a dog person you can't fail to be won over by this gorgeous little book. We love it anyway!

Charlotte's favourite bit: Poor bandaged dog learns not to chase cars (the hard way) - Yowl!!!

Daddy's favourite bit: A touching tale of a little boy and his devoted poochy pal, it's heartwarming and glorious storytelling that you'll want to read again and again. 

(Kindly sent to us for review by Hodder Children's Books)

"I Will Love You Anyway"

Written by Mick Inkpen

Illustrated by Chloe Inkpen

Published by Hodder Children's Books

Release Date (Hardback): 17th September 2015