Proctor Kindly, the queen's advisor, has no choice but to consult the royal scrolls. There he discovers that if there is no relative to take the queen's place, then her 'best friend' must become the new ruler. But the queen's best friend was Lucy, her dog!
Lucy isn't sure whether she wants to be queen, but if she doesn't take the throne she knows that evil Lord Runcible will try to, so she graciously accepts her new role. And does a very good job too!
Lord Runcible, however, has a plan to overthrow Lucy and claim the title of king. It involves his trusty servant — the fearsomely scarred Gauntlet — as well as some pesky fleas. Will he succeed or will Lucy manage to hold on to her crown?
This is an engaging read for confident young readers. Lucy is a beagle who thinks on her paws and proves herself more than a match for her human adversaries. Some lovely subtle messages are woven into the story too, especially about the importance of not judging by appearances and having faith in yourself.
Title: Regal Beagle
Author: Vijay Khurana
Illustrator: Simon Greiner
Publisher: Random House Australia, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: October 2014
Format: Paperback with flaps
ISBN: 9780857983701
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Fiction
