Author(s): Fifi Colston

NZ Middle Fiction 8-12-year-olds | Fantasy, Magic and Science Fiction | 2023 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

What would you do if you accidentally created a barking-mad glove puppet, with sharp teeth, a fierce attitude and an unpredictable mouth?

A boy and a fast-talking terrier glove puppet form a hilarious double act in this warm and funny illustrated novel for readers twelve years and under.

Twelve-year-old Freddie Foxworthy just wants to do arts and crafts. He finds them a lot easier to deal with than his peers, and far more rewarding. His latest project is to create the perfect glove puppet from papier-mache and home-made glue. But when ashes from his metal-head neighbour's deceased bull terrier get into the mix, he finds he has accidentally made a growling puppet with an unpredictable mouth! But where a possessed puppet can bring fame, it can also bring plenty of trouble. And Freddie already has an overload of mysteries to solve - what (or whom) is to blame for the late Masher's death? Was Masher responsible for the disappearance a neighbourhood cat?

And, most of all, is Masher actually for real? Surely Freddie couldn't be causing all this chaos himself?

Masher is acclaimed author, illustrator and arts-and-crafts guru Fifi Colston's warm and funny novel about animal companions, imaginary friends, perceived enemies, and finding your happy place.

No dogs or papier-mache were harmed in the making of this book.