The Emperor's Grucklehound
By Kathryn Cave
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
It's the Emperor's birthday but Sam
and Scruff don't know or care. The two puppies want a bite to eat and a good home. This is the story of how they find what they're looking for.
And lose it.
And find it again, with a bit of help from Fred (an assistant gardener's assistant), Carl (a footman), Anna and her father (Scruff's rescuers), and, of course, the Emperor himself . . .
Have you tried these?
Other stories by Kathryn Cave
illustrated by Chris Riddell:
About the author
I write for all ages and I live in Hampstead, north London.
About writing The Emperor's Gruckle Hound
I like dogs and as a child I had a puppy I loved very much. So this story was great fun to write. Fred's inspired lie about the gruckle hound changes both puppies' lives, and his own life and the Emperor's too. We spin our stories and then they run away with us, always. I like
it when that happens.
Psst!
Anything in blue is a
link. Click and see . . .
Once upon a time there were two puppies...
"Kathryn Cave has written a perfect little fable ... "
School Librarian, August 1996
"Gruckle hounds? Gruckle hounds?" frowned Lord Hawk.
"They're from Austria, my lord," said Fred.
" A charming and funny story"
100 Best Books, 1997
"You know what, Hawk" said the Emperor, "I'll keep it! The last of the gruckle hounds... It can be my mascot. I can't wait to see what it's like when it grows up."
Fred's stomach turned a double somersault and sank into his boots.
"Don't gape, boy" said Lord Hawk sharply. "Remove the gruckle hound. It must go to the imperial kennels for training tomorrow! The Emperor has spoken!"
Picture books by Kathryn Cave
and Chris Riddell:
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