Sam Hannigan runs an animal shelter in Clobberstown, Co. Dublin with her creepy-crawlie-crazy best friend Ajay Patel and her just-plain-crazy granny Nanny Gigg. Oh yes, and her big bully brother Bruno.

When a mysterious package arrives on the doorstep of Hannigan’s Haven, Sam and the gang are astonished to discover that it contains a living, breathing Dodo bird! Where did the dodo come from, who sent it, and, most importantly, how is it not extinct? Being a lover of all animals, Sam immediately falls in love with the dodo (which she names Desmond) and treats it like a member of the family. Unfortunately, a gang of ruthless exotic animal smugglers is near. When Captain Stinky Derriere and his lumbering First Mate Chum get the scent of the miraculously still alive dodo, while Stinky makes it his life mission to catch and eat Desmond!

Join Sam, Ajay and the gang as they endeavour to keep Desmond safe and secret until they can deliver him to Uncle Monty, whose one wish is to deliver the dodo to the mythical Dodo Island.

full of action and suspense … perfect for animal lovers and will leave children laughing out loud … suitable for 3rd-6th classes

gorgeously written and illustrated

Nolan’s writing is going from strength to strength. Every page is full of word play and puns and his cartoon-style illustrations are full of humour and expression – and the cartoon strips add to the visual impact of the book and make them accessible to more reluctant readers

crazy capers

I love this book. It is a true page turner. At times it made me burst into laughter … I would recommend this book for all members of the family as the older children could read it to their younger siblings or friends. They could have many giggles together

hilarious and entertaining

ALAN NOLAN was awarded the 2024 Children’s Books Ireland Annual Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books. Alan grew up in Windy Arbour, Dublin and now lives in Bray, Co. Wicklow with his wife and three children. Alan is the author of the Molly Malone and Bram Stoker series. He is also the author and illustrator of Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series, and is the illustrator of Animal Crackers: Fantastic Facts About Your Favourite Animals, written by Sarah Webb. Alan runs illustration and writing workshops for children, and you may see him lugging his drawing board and pencils around your school or local library. www.alannolan.ie Bluesky: @alnolan Instagram: @alannolan_author