Bertie the Friendly Puppy

Author: Julie Sykes

Reading age: from c 5 years

Published on 11 September 2025 by Scholastic in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Perfect Puppies' series.

In the town of Barkington, the Paw Pad is a small dog

shelter with an AMAZING secret. From award-winning author Julies

Sykes comes the second book in a charming new puppy series.

Bella and Henry have come to Barkington to visit their grandparents

but they just can't seem to get along. One afternoon,

after yet another squabble, a mysterious dog appears in the garden

who brings the family to the Paw Pad, the magical dog

shelter.

When a child arrives, they choose a lead which magically pairs

them with their perfect puppy. Bella is paired with Bertie, a sweet

cockapoo. Their parents enter the siblings into a treasure hunt

and Bella and Henry are desperate to win the prize: tickets

to the local water park. But the competition can only be won

in pairs. And not long after the start whistle, Bella and Henry

realize that another pair are cheating!

Can Bertie help Bella and Henry to stop the cheaters?

And will they all be able to work together?

The second story in a gorgeous, cosy puppy series for readers

ages 5-7

Perfect for animal-loving children and fans of Holly Webb

By Julie Sykes, award-winning author of over one hundred books

for children including the Unicorn Academy series, now

a Netflix animated series