Slinky Malinki is a fictitious cat who features in the Hairy Maclary children's stories written by New Zealand author Lynley Dodd.
Slinky Malinki, first published in 1990, [1] [2] is one of a well-known series of books by New Zealand author Lynley Dodd. [3]
The book is written for pre-school children, with rhythmic, rhyming text. It has become a best-selling bedtime storybook in New Zealand.
Malinki is based on Dodd's cat, Wooskit, who was with her for 13 years. Slinky Malinki is very silly. [4] The Guardian lists Malinki amongst the top ten cats in children's fiction. [5] Original artwork of him has been part of a travelling exhibition over a number of years, [6] [7] [8] and he is part of a sculpture of some of Dodd's characters at Tauranga. [9]
The book received mixed reviews when first published. School Library Journal found that "While there's nothing wrong with this book, there's nothing to recommend it, either", and concluded "It's hard to imagine many preschoolers who would sit through the whole book. There's just nothing to it." [3] By contrast, a reviewer for Booklist compared Malinki to one of Eliot's cats, highlighted the verse and illustrations, and concluded that "New readers will find the vocabulary varied and occasionally challenging but are sure to enjoy the fun." [10] Multiple editions have been published in the UK and US, as well as Australia and New Zealand, most recently in 2015. A translation into Russian was published in 2011.
It has also been reviewed by Magpies magazine. [11]
It is used in the teaching of language to children. [12]
Slinky Malinki Open The Door, first published in 1993, has become a best-selling bedtime storybook in New Zealand. [13] [14] Slinky Malinki has a parrot friend called Stickybeak Syd, and together they open doors in their house and get into mischief. [13]
It has been recommended to educators for the incorporation of instruments during story time. [15]
After the 2000 US presidential election had been described as a 'schmozzle', Dodd's use of the word 'shemozzle' in this book was discussed in US media, [16] with the following verse quoted:
What a SHEMOZZLE, the things they did, Slinky Malinki and Stickybeak Syd.
They stirred up some spoons and a bowl full of fruit,
In a sea of spaghetti and vegetable soup. [16]
First published in 1998.
First published in 2006. It's Christmas in Slinky Malinki's house and the rapscallion, mischievous cat is most curious about the Christmas tree. With its reindeer, ribbons, baubles and bells, it's too tempting a treat for Slinky not to investigate. So Slinky Malinki, with mischievous glee, creeps out from the shadows to climb up the tree . . .
Slinky Malinki Early Bird, first published in 2012, is written with rhythmic, rhyming text and is popular with pre-school age children. [17] [18] [19] Slinky Malinki wakes the whole family early, and then goes back to sleep, leaving everyone awake and complaining. [17] It has been described as "Slinky Malinki's best caper yet." [17]
It was named a Storylines Notable Book in 2013. [20]
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1983.
Hairy Maclary and Friends is a series of children's picture books created by New Zealand author and illustrator Dame Lynley Dodd. The popular series has sold over five million copies worldwide. The character Hairy Maclary made his first appearance in 1983 in the book titled Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. He is the protagonist in twelve books in the series, and there are a further nine books about his friends.
Dame Lynley Stuart Dodd is a New Zealand children's book author and illustrator. She is best known for her Hairy Maclary and Friends series, and its follow-ups, all of which feature animals with rhyming names and have sold over five million copies worldwide. In 1999, Dodd received the Margaret Mahy Award.
My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes is a New Zealand children’s book by Eve Sutton and Lynley Dodd, who are cousins by marriage. The book was first published in 1974 and won the 1975 Esther Glen Award.
Fifi Colston is a writer, illustrator, poet, wearable arts designer, costume and props maker for the film industry and television presenter. She has written or illustrated over 30 books and is also a veteran entrant, finalist and winner in the World of Wearable Art Competition. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand.
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy first published in 1983, is the first and most well-known of a series of books by New Zealand author Lynley Dodd featuring Hairy Maclary. His adventures are usually in the company of his other dog friends. His arch-enemy is the tomcat Scarface Claw.
Goldie Alexander was an Australian author.
Mallinson Rendel Publishers Limited was an independent publisher based in Wellington, New Zealand, founded in 1980. Founded by Ann Mallinson and David Rendel, it concentrated mainly on children's fiction and picture books and also published a small number of popular new titles each year. Works published include Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary series. In December 2009 the company's assets were acquired by Pearson New Zealand Ltd with most of the works being marketed under the Penguin imprint.
Scarface Claw is a fictitious tom cat who features in the Hairy Maclary children's stories written by New Zealand author Lynley Dodd. A large, black cat with big yellow eyes and chunks missing from his ears, Scarface has a reputation as the "toughest Tom in town".
Tauranga is a coastal city in the Bay of Plenty Region and the fifth most populous city of New Zealand, with an urban population of 158,300, or roughly 3% of the national population. It was settled by Māori late in the 13th century, colonised by Europeans in the early 19th century, and was constituted as a city in 1963.
The Esther Glen Award, or LIANZA Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award, is the longest running and the most renowned literary prize for New Zealand children's literature.
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a series of literary awards presented annually to recognise excellence in children and young adult's literature in New Zealand. The awards began in 1982 as the New Zealand Government Publishing Awards, and have had several title changes until the present one in 2015, including New Zealand Children's Book Awards. As of 2020 they are administered by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust and carry prize money of NZ$7,500.
Sleepy Bears is a 1999 children's picture book by Mem Fox. It is about a bear preparing her family of six baby bears for hibernation.
Suzanne Goldberg (1940–1999) was a New Zealand painter, born in Auckland, New Zealand.
Adele Broadbent is a New Zealand children's author.
Evelyn Mary Sutton, commonly known as Eve Sutton, was a New Zealand writer of literature for children.
Baby Bedtime is a 2013 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Emma Quay. The book, published in America by Beach Lane Books, and published in Australia by Penguin Books Australia, is about an adult elephant getting her baby ready for bed.
Tell Me About Your Day Today is a 2012 children's picture book by Mem Fox and Lauren Stringer. It is about a boy discussing the day's events with his favorite stuffed toys.
Elizabeth Ann Mallinson is a New Zealand children's book publisher and co-founder of Mallinson Rendel, best known for Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary series.
From adorable Mog to the more villainous Slinky Malinki and Macavity and the downright nasty Mrs Norris, children's fiction is packed full of unforgettable felines.