Despatches from a mother who started late (and is running to catch up)

Like a dog, like a dog, like a dog.... the Kipper quiz

Like many families before us, we have become huge fans of the best-selling Kipper books by Mick Inkpen (by the way, here is good biography of Inkpen, who is also pictured below). This started me thinking - we all know people in real life who are a bit like the characters of Tiger, Kipper, Pig and his cousin Arnold. Have you ever wondered which character you're most like? Here's a little quiz to help you work out who you most ressemble.

1. An overnight camping trip to Big Hill is suggested. It is your first night in a tent. You are the one who:

a) insisted on bringing toys from home

b) had the idea for the trip. But got scared and went home early

c) said little, but gritted it out until morning

d) stayed at home.

2. It is your birthday. You decide to celebrate by:

a) making a cake and inviting friends round. Co-ordinating the two events proves harder than anticipated.

b) asking for the latest, fanciest gadget. Which you find impossible to make work.

c) adding a new pet to your already extensive menagerie.

d) feeding the ducks.

3. Somebody gives you a pair of rollerblades. You respond by:

a) trying hard to master this new skill. With mixed results.

b) boasting to anyone who'll listen about how fantastic you are at rollerblading. Before falling into a bush.

c) practising, practising, practising. Until you get really good.

d) watching your older cousin and learning from his example

4. Your attitude towards your toys is to:

a) love, cherish and respect them. Life wouldn't be the same without old friends around.

b) put them in a rocket and fire them at the moon.

c) love them, but appraise them shrewdly.

d) who needs toys when you've got a cardboard box?

5. You are working on a project requiring great ingenuity. Something goes wrong. You respond by:

a) feeling a bit thrown but persevering in finding a solution

b) moaning and complaining amid great melodrama

c) your projects don't go wrong, you spend so much time beforehand preparing.

d) taking time out, then pulling off a piece of lateral thinking

6. You have done yourself a minor injury. You respond by:

a) applying a sticking plaster and moving on

b) insisting on sticking plaster, ointment, sling, painkillers and emergency trip to hospital. And, of course, moaning.

c) being grateful you were wearing safety kit that prevented the injury being any worse

d) sucking your thumb

7. You have made an error of judgement. Do you:

a) acknowledge your mistake, feel embarrassed and apologise

b) bluster and pretend it wasn't your fault

c) arrange an inventive win-win compromise that minimises the impact of your mistake.

d) approach someone else for advice

8. You are going for a day at the beach. Would you:

a) immediately start building a sandcastle

b) insist on setting up an elaborate base camp. With inappropriate kit

c) stun your friends by revealing hitherto unsuspected skills as a water skier

d) stand on your head. Perfectly.

9. As a friend you are mostly:

a) Popular with everyone. You are prepared to take the rough with the smooth and see good in most people, even the annoying ones.

b) Sometimes demanding and grandiose, but good-hearted and lovable.

c) A bit of an enigma. Not aloof, but you like to keep some distance between yourself and others.

d) Unobtrusive and loyal.

How you scored:

Mostly a) - you are Kipper. Popular and well-loved, hard-working and down-to-earth, you are able to see the cheery side of life, even amid disaster. Everyone wants to be your friend. Everyone wants to be you. Tell us your secret, please Kipper?

Mostly b) - you are Tiger. Sorry, but are you just a teeny bit full of your own importance? Come on, admit it! No? Not just a little bit? And you're not really as competent as you make out, are you? Don't worry, all your friends still love you. They know what a good sort you are underneath all that bluster. And you are often the one who comes up with the idea for adventures. Life wouldn't be as much fun without you around. Perhaps, though, you might try to rein in that grandiosity? A simpler life can often be more satisfying than pursuing complex ambitions.

Mostly c) - you are Pig. Savvy and secretive, you are the dark horse of the group. Although supportive to those around you, you tend to prefer to operate on your own, away from group restrictions. You have a highly developed sense of self-reliance and your tenacity allows you to succeed where others might give up. Few people understand you well and you are often lonely. You might consider trusting others a little bit more.

Mostly d) - you are Arnold. What a sweetie you are! And how did you learn to stand on your head so well? We wish we could do that too! The ducks cheer when they see you heading over to their pond. The only advice we could offer would be to have more faith in your own judgement. You don't need to rely on Pig for everything.

With thanks to these good people, who sent us a stack of Kipper books.

While on the subject of children's books, Edinburgh residents among you may be interested to hear that The Children's Bookshop at Holy Corner, Bruntsfield, will be holding a weekly story-telling session every Tuesday at 10.30am from 3 June for the under-fives. The bookshop has a great range of books - with a well-chosen selection for grown-ups too - and a lovely atmosphere. It also runs regular author events for children and adults (you can sign up to an email subscription on their website informing you about upcoming readings). So do pay a visit if you haven't already.

Posted 24 May 2008 21:27

Books Fun

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