Raymond by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec (Walker Books)

Meet Raymond, the fabulous superstar dog who is guaranteed to win you over the minute you flip open the covers of this brilliant book...
"Raymond" by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec is just the sort of doggy tale we love reading.

Raymond is quite content to live at home, a dog's life isn't too bad as you get regular meals, a comfy bed and a lovely family to tickle your tummy on demand.

But one day Raymond realises that there must be more to life as a dog. Perhaps he might like to eat at the table like his human family! Perhaps he might even want to spread his wings, step out into the world and become a career dog instead of just a family pooch.

So Raymond goes for a job interview at the famous and glamorous "Dogue" magazine...

Love the cat dartboard!

Raymond is an instant hit. Through hard work and determination it's not long before Raymond becomes a TV superstar as well.

But the pressure of work soon piles up. Raymond realises he spends as much time travelling and in meetings as he does chilling at the beach. On a family holiday, Raymond realises what he's been missing...

It certainly is!

There's such a fantastic message in this, though I wonder if it's designed more for the adults who'll be reading this to their children rather than the children themselves. Despite that, it was Charlotte who summed this book up perfectly. "Raymond is just like us! Too much work, not enough play!" and when I see her homework pile some evenings, I think she might just 'get' this book more than I'd given her credit for.

Perfect though, really Raymond deserves to become a poochy publishing megastar.

Charlotte's best bit: Raymond's job interview for Dogue.

Daddy's favourite bit: A subtle message for all of us in this one, gloriously conveyed with superb illustrations and a new dog character set to join the hallowed ranks of canine children's book superstars.

(kindly supplied for review)

"Raymond" by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec is out now, published by Walker Books.