Power Pups ebook | David de la Harpe | 9780956601629

When seven-year-old Minah Russell visits London's Natural History Museum, she witnesses a daring attempted theft which is suddenly and spectacularly thwarted by masked super dogs Power Pup and Rufus. The dynamic doggy duo become instant celebrities and the world is desperate to know their true identities. Back at school in the quiet village of Amblesham, Minah has more pressing matters to deal with – she has to look after new starters Wolfgang and Helmut (the first canine pupils at the school), and also deal with the horrible Perry Thatcher and his equally nasty gang. After a particularly mean-spirited attack from Perry, Wolfgang and Helmut leap to her rescue, giving the bully a taste of his own medicine. Their bravery gets clever Minah thinking: could there be a connection between Wolfgang and Helmut and the courageous heroes from the museum? Perfect for all boys and girls aged five to eleven, Power Pups is an inspired and energetic debut novel from David de la Harpe. With a passion for story-telling and encouraging children to develop their reading skills, he delivers an entertaining read that evokes fond memories of our favourite children's fiction. Power Pups also showcases the unique illustrations of Spanish-born Reading University Fine Art student Esther Arzola, who captures the exuberant essence of the story, bringing these audacious dogs to life. The delightful canine and human characters are set to win over legions of fans, young and old, with their escapades. Children engage with the colourful vim and vigour of the book, and parents and teachers are embracing the timeless messages of friendship, fair-play and standing up for what you believe in. This fabulous first novel is just the beginning of some serious mutt mayhem!

David de la Harpe was born in 1964 in Ealing, London, one of five children of parents who had just arrived from Sri Lanka. With a piano teacher for a mother and an engineer for a father, he developed an early love for both the arts and sciences and started writing stories at the age of five. Graduating from Southampton University with a degree in Electronic Engineering, he has since forged a successful career in technology and project management whilst continuing to create stories in his spare time. His first book, Power Pups, started life as a bedtime story for his youngest daughter in 2009, and was published in September 2010 to enthusiastic reviews from schoolchildren, teachers and parents. Further stories in the Power Pups series are currently being developed in a top secret underground bunker, and will be released when they are considered safe for public consumption. David will donate 10% of the profits from Power Pups to children's and animal charities and is currently exploring possible joint ventures with a number of major non-profit organisations. He lives in Reading, Berkshire with his wife and three children.