Shirley Hughes's Dogger: one of the greatest picture books ever | Children's books | The Guardian

Through Dogger, Hughes pulled off something miraculous. The illustrations are a joy; full of life and pathos. But, for me, her words are the true wonder. She skillfully captures the essence of what it is to be a child; the wild rushes of love, the vulnerability and the healing power of kindness. Here was a book for children, addressing their hopes and fears with simple truths. Small children make no distinction between the small stuff and big stuff: it is ALL big stuff. Dogger is true drama.

Seeing the concentrated expressions on my children's faces as I read it out loud, their own special toys held tightly in their arms, I had something of an epiphany. I wanted to be able to perform this sort of magic; to write stories that would speak directly to a child's heart.