We love the Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam picture books, especially the first story in which Shifty and Sam give up their life of crime to become bakers. Now Tracy Corderoy and Steven Lenton have treated us to more exciting Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam adventures in Up, Up and Away!, a chapter book containing three highly illustrated stories which are perfect for more independent readers to enjoy.
Up, Up and Away!: Shifty and Sam take part in a road race which includes their annoying next door neighbour, Red Rocket, who does his best to sabotage the race. Shifty and Sam’s eclairs save the day and ensure that Red Rocket’s attempts to win are thwarted. But who will win the race?
To Catch a Thief: There’s a jewellery thief in town so Shifty and Sam go undercover at the hotel to protect Lady Poshington’s jewels. Disguised as a doorman and a chambermaid they use an exploding cake box and cake cams and are very surprised when they discover the thief’s identity.
The Mystery Parcel: A dispute over a a mystery parcel causes an argument between Shifty and Sam who decide that a duel is the best way to solve their disagreement. Both dogs end up very wet before they discover who the parcel belongs to!
There are cakes galore in these mouthwatering stories which are packed with fast paced action, intrigue, crazy inventions and excitement. Red Rocket, the villain in Up, Up and Away!, will stop at nothing to win the road race but he can’t compete against Shifty and Sam’s eclairs. We love the use of cake cams in To Catch a Thief and cakes and baguettes play a big role in Shifty and Sam’s duel over The Mystery Parcel. Shifty and Sam are joined in their adventures by a variety of characters, including Red Rocket, their friend Scottie, hotel manager Mr. Benson and Lady Woofington, we were also very excited when we spotted the spider that appears in Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam.
Steven Lenton’s illustrations are full of humour and varying shades of turquoise are added to the black and white drawings that accompany the text on each page. Choosing a favourite from the many wonderful illustrations isn’t easy but I love the pictures with Sam dressed as the chambermaid and my daughter thinks Red Rocket’s ‘vehicle’ is fabulous.
The themes of friendship and taking care of others are predominant in the stories. Shifty and Sam are caring characters who look after Scottie when he is ill and we love the way that they help their friend Hercules in Up, Up and Away! But friends also argue and although we were amused by Shifty and Sam’s duel in The Mystery Parcel we were also happy when they realised how important friendship and sharing are.
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam Up, Up and Away! is the perfect first chapter book for fans of this fabulous doggy duo!
Age Range: 5 +
Author: Tracey Corderoy / Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Up, Up and Away!: Two-colour fiction for 5+ readers
by Tracey Corderoy And Steven Lenton [Nosy Crow Ltd]
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$4.96
These sound like lovely entertaining stories. One to remember for my niece, I think!
They’re very entertaining. I enjoyed them too 🙂
Aww, this sounds like a lovely book. I love the theme is friendship. My daughter would like this book. Thank you for sharing #ReadWithMe
Even when Shifty and Sam argue their strong friendship saves them from falling out completely!
Sounds like a lovely fun rhyming book X#mmbc
The stories are really good fun 🙂
This sounds like a great book, something my youngest would probably like as his first chapter book #readwithme
It’s a lovely first chapter book as there are so many wonderful illustrations to support the text.
Haven’t come across this series. Sounds fun early readers, ideal for that stage.
Apparently there’s a third book in the works too 🙂
Something like this would be good for my youngest #triedtested
I hope your youngest enjoys it!
These sound a lot of fun, and great with the underlying friendship theme.
They are fun stories, we always enjoy reading a good mystery 🙂
These are books that my grandson would enjoy. Will have to look out for them.
#readwithme
This is the second Shift McGifty and Slippery Sam chapter book and there’s also a third one in the works 🙂
Ooh not heard of this series so will look out for them. My daughter is learning to read and I’m looking for new authors to challenge and inspire her #triedtested
This is a great chapter book for a beginner reader 🙂
This sounds fun. It would definitely be something my son would enjoy, will check it out thank you 🙂
Thanks for joining in with #MMBC. Hope to see you next week x
You’re welcome Jayne. I hope your son enjoys it 🙂
This sounds like a fun book, I hadn’t come across these characters before. #readwithme
There are several Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam picture books. They’re all mini crime adventures 🙂
We got a Shifty McGifty book out from the library a few weeks ago, my 4yo loves it! This would be perfect for transitioning to chapter books. #readwithme
This is a perfect stepping stone from a picture book to a chapter book and it’s lovely to follow the characters from one reading level to another 🙂