Hands up if you haven't heard of Hairy Maclary!

One of New Zealand's most loved dogs is 25 years old. Yes, Hairy Maclary has been with us since 1983 and the publishers (Mallinson Rendel) have celebrated by bringing out a 25th Anniversary edition of Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy.

From the Mallinson Rendel website: "I well remember that day in October 1982 when Lynley asked if she could bring her new manuscript into our office. This was unusual in itself, because Lynley always posted her manuscripts in. She came as arranged and read Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy to my partner David and me. When she had finished, I looked up and said, ‘Lynley, it’s a winner.’ And it was. (You have to get something right sometimes in publishing!). Since then I have had the good fortune to shepherd this brilliant story through a life of hardback, paperback, board book and mini editions, book and tape, bath book and cloth book formats, and even a stage production, The Hairy Maclary Show. Sales of Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy now amount to over one million copies. Lynley’s Hairy Maclary series has sold over six million copies. When people ask about my work, I say that I am lucky enough to work with a wonderful little dog, Hairy Maclary. He is cheerful, energetic and just slightly subversive. Of course, what I really mean is that it is wonderful to work with Lynley Dodd. So, congratulations, Lynley and Happy Birthday, Hairy Maclary. (Ann Mallinson 1 April 2008 )